Slow Train

Can anyone advise what shape the Capital Crescent Trail is in? This week promises some nice sunny 50F degree days. Hoping that will melt any remaining ice from last week.

a bit racialist

I've been wondering the same thing. I live near the custis and w&od trails and it looks to me like both still have 'full coverage', I'd expect the same from CC.

hopefully the rain will get some of this stuff out of the way, i haven't commuted in 2 and a half weeks.

kokomo61

Same here - I've been doing the trainer every other day, but I'm getting REALLY tired of it. Since most of my commute is on the W&OD and Custis trail, they've got to clear up before I feel safe enough to get back on the bike. I'm not brave (or skilled) enough to do slippery/wet icy trails.

a bit racialist

I figure I could do parts of the trail just fine, but it gets so hilly in stretches that it's prob. an ambulance ride waiting to happen, especially since I only have slicks on my city bike and SS road bike. I'm guessing 700 x 23's wouldn't be all that different from skiing.

knucklesandwich

Same boat here. My February has been woeful. One day each of the past 2 weeks, and only 3 days this month. I need the W&OD to clear up a bit so I can get off the treadmill and rower, and back on the bike. This is my first winter commuting, and I've held off of getting studded tires b/c I'm job hunting and have no clue where I'll be next winter...

Thankfully I also got in a 10+ mile ride up the C&O/Crescent on the Saturday before all this weather.

Marylandnewbie

Boy I thought I had it bad and I've only been off the commute for a week. I guess I'm not Jonesing as bad as others.

What I can see of the Capital Crescent east of Bethesda is still covered in snow and ice. It appears to heavily rutted with footprints and all. I have no idea how the paved section west of Bethesda looks. I assume that the part from the DC line to G'town was plowed and is probably looking pretty good by now -- but I haven't seen it to be certain. Lets just hope rain and warm temps clear things out.

rocks in head 

I'm going to be attempting the Mt. Vernon trail tonight, and possibly some of the other trails, but I think that street riding might be the way to go... or metro. the warm air does feel wonderful though!

rocks in head 

following up, I posted in the other CCT thread too... still very snowy with many many ruts and footprints. Went up last night from Old Town to National Airport before bailing. very slow going, some spots require walking. Another few days like today and it should be mostly clear though. Try Saturday if it's still mid 50's thursday and friday.

It looked like there was one brave soul on a mtb that came down the path the other way, and the snow was pretty much melted in the ruts... so here's hoping that it's all gone soon!

a bit racialist

I've seen some heavy melting in falls church today, maybe i'll get out on the custis tommorrow. I still have my doubts.

cgchambers

Can you please let us know how the Mt. Vernon was? I have been out of town on business for the last couple days and I would like to commute tomorrow, but I don't know if I can switch back to my normal tires or should I keep the studs on?

Thanks, any news would be appreciated.

cgchambers

Clear and smooth sailing on the MV trail. Amazing what a little sunshine and rain will do.

kokomo61

If anyone's been on the W&OD and/or Custis trails, please give a report.....

cc_rider

Drove past the W&OD at 123, Park, Cedar, Gallows and Shreve today (thursday morning). Looks like Falls Church and Vienna is still all snow and ice.
Fairfax Connector Trail is completely covered at the Towers end.

kokomo61

Crap. Hopefully it'll be warm enough over the next several days to get me back on the bike next week. Having slipped on some black ice while walking the dog, I don't want to dump the bike on the ride into work....

a bit racialist

Portions of the trail near the East Falls Church metro looked pretty clear to me as of late yesterday. I thought the only trouble areas might be some of the underpasses along the custis leading up to ballston. May just say the hell with it and bike in tommorrow, consequences be damned.

UPDATE!!! : I rode custis from right about where it meets the W&OD to Utah st. in arlington. A few snowboulders in the way here and there, but generally it looks like its all good as long as you pay attention. finally...

Slow Train

Rode the CCT this morning from Georgetown to River Rd. Here is what I found:
Georgetown - Fletcher's Boat house: Trail has been treated and is clear.
Fletcher's Boat House - Tunnel: Trail has 75% coverage with thin patchy ice.
Tunnel - River Rd - Trail has 90% coverage with thicker ice & snow. Surface is mostly frozen rutted tracks.

Given the amount and thickness of the coverage I estimate it might be as late as Friday before it is completely clear.

cgchambers

Thanks for the update, good to know

knucklesandwich

Happily, I sneaked in a nice 20mi ride last Saturday: Tidal Basin up to the tunnel, down, into VA, meandering, etc. I think it was the only good day of melted snow/ice we've ahd in a while before the Sunday storm hit, makes up (a little bit) for lack of commutes lately...

o-dog

not that it really matters to anyone outside of PG County, but both the Paint Branch (at least the part that I was on) and CP Trolley Trails are clear. not sure about the Sligo or the rest of the Branch trails.

kokomo61

With temps up to 50 today, and above freezing tonight, I might try to ride in tomorrow. Anyone done the W&OD between Reston and Arlington?

fixed.rider

kokomo61: around EFC metro it doesn't look bad. I am hoping to get an update tonight from the GF, she did a training ride today, but not sure where. I want to ride so bad, I may just risk it. Probably be wet, kinda crappy in the shaded areas, but I feel so stangnant. Hope to see you out there!

a bit racialist

I rode on the custis this afternoon. it gets narrow in spots and its a little wet, but portions of it looked plowed (?!!!). I'd think W&OD will be fine, 2 days of good temps and direct sunlight should have melted most of the snow, I guess. And yeah, it looks fine near the EFC metro.

ks1g

I was down in Vienna today (by car) - here's what I could see at the road crossings: looked OK at Maple and over by the caboose; east of Hunter Mill looked OK but there's a long rutted icy/slush stretch on the west side of Hunter Mill (shaded area); some slight slush west of Sunrise Valley, Whiele area looked OK, Old Reston Ave looked OK, Herndon/Spring St was clear.

kokomo61

How much of that do you think will be black ice @ 8AM or so?

kokomo61

Decided to take the leap today to ride the JTS in.......

During my parking lot cut through, there were several spots of black ice (and inattentive motorists, too). The turn on to the path was blocked with snow, so I had to go through the turn lane around to the street side (and paddle with one foot while avoiding incoming cars)....

Turned onto Fairfax County Parkway, and rode the shoulder - the path looked too dicey at that point. Went onto the FFCP path at West Ox Road, and had to paddle through a couple spots of ice/snow/black ice. Walked the bike back onto shoulder prior to the overpass before Fox Mill road, and used the shoulder up until just before the turn lane at Sunrise Valley Drive. Path looked fairly clear, but after the turn, the sidewalk was impassable, and I had to walk the bike to the intersection.

Streets were fairly clear, but some wet spots. Driver blew right through the Yield sign without looking at Soapstone drive. Caught up to her just before Wiehle, but she turned left before I could rap on her window.

Turn onto W&OD was decent, and path was clear at first, but some snow and ruts prior to the first hill. Pedaled slowly through, was OK. Downhill was OK going towards Hunter Mill, but there's about a 100-yard section that's impassable on the bike, unless you've got an ATB with studs. Walked the bike to the intersection.

After Hunter Mill, was completely clear, and the Piney Branch detour was clear as well. Minor snow on the path before Vienna, but some spots are down to a tire track or two.

Just after Maple street, there's some snow, and lots of water on the path between Whole Foods and the Community Center. No major problems up to now.

That is, up to now......

Just after the Park Street crossing, things come to a screeching halt. Between there and Gallows Road, the trail is rutted, ice and snow covered, and pretty much sh*tty. I slipped a couple times, and eventually just got of the bike and walked it up to just before Gallows. I might have been on it 1-2 times, but that was it.

After Gallows road, it's smooth sailing. There's one dicey spot just after the blind crossing @ Shreve road, but the rest is clear of snow alll the way to Ballston on the Custis Trail.

There ARE, however, patches of black ice in certain spots. If you take the street route to the West entrance to Benjamin Banneker park, make sure you're unclipped BEFORE the big patch of ice just after the entrance...if you're not ready for it, it's a bit Oh Sh*t! moment. If you ARE ready, it's time to put your faith in Isaac Newton....and keep your momentum. Couple more ice patches, and you're home free.

On the way home, I'm going to see if I can find an alternate route between Gallows and Maple street. Can't do much about Hunter mill, except wait for sun to take care of it.....

Good luck, and ride safe!