Commuting - DC Metro- Custis Trail to WOD (help me find it)

DC area cyclists,
I want to take the Custis trail from Rosslyn to the W&OD trail, but I am totally confused as to where they connect. I rode to the end of the Custis yesterday and never saw it... is it marked? On one map, it looked like the Custis trails runs into the W&OD and ends there? But then on another site there is a picture of where they intersect, and it looks like a different area... eek! Any help would be great. Also, any ideas about good training rides in the area?

The W&OD and Custis trails are horribly signed. As you approach Falls Church, the WO&D branches off to the left. Arlington County has some bike maps that should help:

<http://www.co.arlington.va.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/EnvironmentalServicesBikemap.aspx>

There is a hill on Walter Reed Drive, starting on Four Mile Run, that ought5 to provide some sort of training. It was a memorable part of my morning commute for a while.

Paul

The Custis Trail ends in Falls Church at a "T" with the W&OD. The "T" is immediately after the Custis Trail takes a sharp left turn to go under I66. At the stop sign, a left will take you along 4 Mile Run, a right will take you ultimately to Purcellville. Following the W&OD west through Falls Church is a little difficult as it takes some roads and isn't well marked. But once through Falls Church, its pretty obvious.

You can look at the maps on the Friends of the W&OD web site. The Custis Trail meets the W&OD on this section near Patrick Henry Drive and I-66: http://www.wodfriends.org/map15.html

ArtM left out a stop sign/turn, and that may be the source of Sarah's confusion.

Approaching from Roslyn, the Custis trail does curve sharply to the left to cross under I-66. At the bottom of the underpass, the Custis trail zero mile marker is at the stop sign.

To get to the W&OD from that point, make a sharp right at the stop sign. Follow the park connector trail, which curves to the left away from the highway, for about 100 yards. It will come to a "T" intersection and second stop sign at the W&OD. The two intersections are not visible from each other. I think that 100-yard park connector is the source of much confusion--it is not officially part of either trail. At the T with the W&OD, right will take you to Vienna, Reston, Pucellville, and California. Left will take you along the Four Mile Run and, after some street riding, to Reagan-National.

Coming from the West, along the W&OD, there are no stop signs. You would make a sharp left on the park connector, curve around to the right, and another left at the start of the Custis trail, going under I-66. The first time you do this, you will think,
I
should
have
down
shift
ed.

Happy riding!

I think you have the general idea now of where the trails intersect. Arlington county has some bike maps online: http://www.co.arlington.va.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/EnvironmentalServicesBikemap.aspx. You can also get some maps at the Commuter Connections kiosks locally.

A good loop that I do sometimes is to take the Custis to the W&OD, take the W&OD back into the city, where it connects with the Mt. Vernon, then back to Rosslyn. It's about an 18 mile ride. The connection thru Shirlington is a bit hard to figure out, but after the first time you do it, it's pretty easy. The maps should help in that department.

Thank you! I think I understand now. Sheesh, thank goodness you all are out there. I'll check it out tomorrow morning and report back if I find everything.

I forgot about that second stop sign, thanks for clarifying. I think the short connector is actually part of the Four Mile Run trail. When doing the Custis, W&OD, Mt Vernon loop, be aware that the Four Mile Run trail parallels the W&OD. I recommend you ride it with someone that knows the route - it can get pretty confusing, especially through Shirlington.

So did I. One thing for sure, if 395 had the same level of signage as those two trails, there would be a mob with pitchforks advancing on the stat highway department :)

Onthe other hand, I can use it to ride to and from the shop where we take our cars -- 5 or more miles without any stoplights!

Paul

Found it! Thank you for all the advice, I needed it. Once I did get on the WO&D, I saw several more signs for the Custis. I thought it ended? Oy, confusion. Well, I made it there and back(though not all 45 miles, mind you!). Maybe next time I'll try to traverse 4 mile run. Thanks again for the advice.