[Yggdrasil]

@TwoWheelsDC 132886 wrote:

Perfect for using thousands of gallons of fuel to melt salt and pollutant-laden snow to be dumped directly into the river!

Mmmm… the speed of progress. Can’t stop, won’t stop. If animals are so great, then why can’t they keep up with us, huh? :p

[Yggdrasil]

This is ridiculous. Arlington has been crushing when it comes to path clearing, but the state of these trails past Reagan is abysmal. What do they expect to get out of trail clearing if the main bridge that the South Arlington and Alexandria cyclists use is inaccessible? I understand Arlington’s trail clearing is a relatively new priority, but MVT to 14th St Bridge is vital for the trail system to really be functional in that part of town.

[Yggdrasil]

@Crickey7 110369 wrote:

I may cry

I am so looking forward to some sunshine and shorts weather. However, I wake up every winter morning dreading the cold, ready for spring; but by the time I reach the office after plowing through snow piles and shaking off icicles in my beard, I, without fail, find myself wishing that winter would never end.

[Yggdrasil]

@Steve O 110364 wrote:

The Custis should give you almost no problems while it’s still daylight. I would use it for as much of your ride as you can–better than riding on the streets, IMO. I’ve already ridden most or all of it 3 times today. Just watch ahead for the 1-2 places that have been shaded all day and might be a bit slippery.

Agreed, Custis was in good shape — though the climb near the Courthouse exit going west is going to be rough. There are a few other spots that may be tough, but generally, the Custis was safer than the backroads I had to take to get to it.

[Yggdrasil]

Some scenes from Custis between 10-11:30 today. Arlington gets a gold star for taking care of Custis, wish they’d hit the W&OD too though. Packed snow and clear patches where the sun is shining. I wouldn’t try it on a road bike with slicks, but a hybrid and up can handle it. Key bridge was a mess though; trampled snow getting pockmarked by foot traffic made it a little difficult.

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[Yggdrasil]

@S. Arlington Observer 109414 wrote:

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.

Definitely impassable unless you’re rocking a fat bike and a really good health insurance plan. The whole trail was razor sharp ice daggers for as far as the eye could see. The rest of the roads and Custis are beautiful however.

[Yggdrasil]

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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.

[Yggdrasil]

Who would we even hassle to get MVT from 4 Mile to the 395 bridge cleared? Taking care of 4 Mile is minimally useful for most people if there’s no real bridge access. This is a main arterial path for bike commuters, it seems like there would be at least a little effort, especially considering even tertiary roads are clear now. Seeing how quickly and easily Arlington has taken care of a significant portion of its trails it’s frustrating that MVT is perpetually a wipeout waiting to happen.

[Yggdrasil]

Anyone going through the W&OD and Four Mile Run trail should be careful on the stretch near Columbia Pike as a series of bridges are washed out. Be safe out there.

[Yggdrasil]

1. Because it adds a level of outdoorsy adventure to my day
2. Cheaper than metro/buses
3. Don’t have to take metro/buses
4. I hate driving around this area
5. Great way to get exercise in my day without using up a ton of time.
6. As fast, if not faster, than mass transit.
7. Better learn your neighborhood and area
8. Watch the seasons change.
9. Bird watching
10. Flower blooming and color changing leaves.
11. The feel of the wind on your face (even if it’s biting in the winter)
12. Better for the environment
13. Dem calf muscles
14. You definitely harden up, hot and cold begin to phase you less and less.
15. Mental serenity and quiet on the trail; it definitely helps fight of a history of depression.

Overall, it just makes every day a little better and makes me stronger, both physically and mentally.

[Yggdrasil]

Open today as of 11am

[Yggdrasil]

@consularrider 79457 wrote:

I believe there is usually a Four Mile Run cleanup effort in the spring, but not all parts of the stream get covered. You can always volunteer to lead a cleanup effort. My family did as part of my son’s community service project in middle school. I see that Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) had an event scheduled for this past weekend in Shirlington and Barcroft parks which is in the area you mentioned. The link also mentions the Potomac watershed cleanup on April 5.

Thanks, I think they must have gotten Barcroft and Shirlington, but not the W&OD trail further downstream. I think that April 5th pickup of the Potomac watershed may involve some cleaning up of the stream. Thanks again for the info.

[Yggdrasil]

Has anyone else who takes Four Mile Run/W&OD Trail through Columbia Pike to Reagan Airport noticed just how insanely dirty the creek is? Despite riding the trail for near to 8 months now, I noticed today how the creek is completely littered with plastic bags, beer cans, broken bottles, and tons of other garbage! Does anyone know of a clean up movement going on or around what time of year the county tries to organize stream cleaning? I’m relatively new to the area, but I’d love to work with someone to get this stream clean, it’s terrible seeing all the birds nest around this plastic garbage.

[Yggdrasil]

Walz Caps. I have a cap from them that is pretty solid and they make custom group caps with designs, colors, everything. I feel like they made a WABA cap at one time.

http://www.walzcaps.com/caps_custom.html

[Yggdrasil]

I don’t even know why here is a fight about this. 97% of bike fatalities from 1996-2005 were of people who were not wearing helmets and one of my best friends died from skateboarding without a helmet. Strapping on a helmet takes all of 2 seconds, if you can afford a bicycle then you can afford a helmet, and it is just simple safety. Weigh the pros and cons here: Proper safety that could potentially save a life vs. potential head trauma because a helmet is a mild inconvenience that might muss up your hair. I just cannot for the life of me fathom why this is even a debate. I understand that the overall environment for cyclists can always be improved upon and maybe large scale helmet crusades aren’t the most effective means of helping cycling safety, but helmets are just proper safety and are a simple and easy step you can make to protect yourself.

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