[S. Arlington Observer]

Thanks for starting this thread, but for the sake of those having trouble following the previous discussions, can you start off with some background on the term “Advisory Bike Lanes” and a recap of what lead to this thread. Thank you.

Actually, found this, which is a good start: http://www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion/info/default.aspx?id=84177

[S. Arlington Observer]

@rcannon100 117602 wrote:

So so so…. if you are a Bike Friendly Community, you
(a) Plow the bike trails during the winter
(b) Repair the Intersection of Doom, or
(c) Leave Shit all over the trail?

Picture taken at 6.30 pm ish on 4MR. Seriously.

I agree completely. On the way into work yesterday there were tree simply laying across this trail from the clearing work . In theory Arlington treats cycling like other forms of transportation. In reality the County thinks nothing of appropriating (and allowing private interests — such as construction sites to appropriate) bicycle lanes in a manner that would never be allowed for the lanes serving supposedly evil private vehicles.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Tim Kelley 117534 wrote:

“To get more people riding, bike-makers peddle relaxed models without all the gears or carbon fiber”

http://www.wsj.com/articles/easy-bikes-no-spandex-required-1433777624

The industry is lurching towards the future.

Agreed! My department store bike has served me well for years. It has 10 speeds but I regularly use only about four. Still, I wish Capital Bikeshare would offer a gear higher than low (in addition to very low and ridiculously low). It is very wasteful to have to peddle so hard on flat or downhill slopes.

[S. Arlington Observer]

By all means, welcome. On a slightly related note, always glance left yourself before passing to make sure an even faster biker isn’t about to pass you. I ride a Capital Bikeshare bike, which is by design slow with very low gears. So I am always getting passed (and I REALLY DO appreciate the warnings.) Over time I’ve developed an automatic reflex to listen carefully and glance over my left shoulder before moving to the passing lane myself. Otherwise one can pull out right into the path of a speedy biker who has not warned you that she/he is there.

[S. Arlington Observer]

Whether this is useful information or not will depend on how much the possible ice this evening really materializes and how much falls/sticks. But, for what it is worth, this was my experience Monday evening on the W&OD from Bluemont Junction to Shirlington.

The trail was mostly ice free except for both sides of the Carlin Springs underpass and the west side of the Route 50 underpass. In both cases I simply walked about 20 – 25 feet. The ice had melted and refroze enough to be a solid slick mound.

There was also only a narrow track of clear pavement just east of the Carlin Springs underpass. But one could navigate it with caution. For the most part the trestles had only minor amounts of snow on them. Once about half way between Route 50 and Columbia Pike (riding east) there were no significant problems at all. From there the W&OD, and the Four Mile Run trail from Walter Reed to Shirlington, were completely clear.

One caution was that there were LOTS of wet areas from snow melt and from ponding of snow melt. If the temperatures drop below freezing I could see that as being a major issue. But if temperatures are above freezing at a given point in the next few days (and rain allows travel) the ride should be safe (aside from short walking points at the underpasses.)

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Yggdrasil 109410 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7937[/ATTACH]

W&OD just northwest of Columbia Pike. I was hoping that some of it had cleared and would allow us to pass to Bluemont Junction just fine — nope. Looks like the backroads and a Rt.50 crossing to Custis from the 4MR area are still necessary to get to DC from around here.

This is a huge help (especially the picture, I know the area well.) Looks like I’ll take an alternative at least to Columbia Pike. Dang. Was hoping to at least get today in before the next snow. Very much appreciate the insight.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@colleen 109302 wrote:

Took a mostly on-road route to work from Alexandria to Ballston today for the first time. It wasn’t bad, but I’m looking forward to the trails thawing. I did take 4MR from Potomac Ave to Shirlington. It’s mostly clear save some ice patches, which are fine when you can see them, but be careful if you’re going that way in the dark. At Shirlington I could see a promising ray of light at the start of the WOD – about a two foot wide clear path up the hill. I didn’t venture that way – decided to stick with the original plan – but it would be great to know how long that extends. Can anyone report?

I too continue to follow the W&OD conditions. I gave up and drove to work today (had an out of office appointment in any event) but I am hoping to ride home (Ballston to Shirlington) tomorrow when things rise above freezing. I just have no idea what the trail looks like from the intersection with the Bluemont Junction Trail to Columbia Pike. Any insight would be most appreciated.

[S. Arlington Observer]

Any word on the W&OD between Ballston and Shirlington. I need to make a commuting decision.

Also I apologize if I am posting this multiple times. I am learning how to use the forum.

[S. Arlington Observer]

@chris_s 99698 wrote:

It sounds like NVRPA may clear snow themselves. http://regionalparks.blogspot.com/2014/03/snow-on-w-trail.html

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

Yes, they sent me the link. Sounds good. Especially since they’ll start in Arlington. The blower should do the trick.

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