I live in Ballston, near Fairfax/Glebe intersection. I had gotten to where I normally skip that section by riding down Fairfax Dr, hooking a left on Kirkwood, and then crossing Lee Hwy with traffic at the light. I'd then make the left onto the sidewalk in front of Big Wheel Bikes that connects up with the "exit" from the Custis just after the Spout Run bridge. Kirkwood is a fun-as-hell speed-limit blast downhill going to work, and a good challenge on the climb back up.

Now, with the seemingly endless paving project that's got Kirkwood torn all to hell and back, I've been using the S-curve of death again and braving the hills on the Custis before Glebe. Can I tell you how much I loathe that last hill before the left turn across 66? Lord. This comes at mile 7 or so for me, since I work on the Hill. I'm usually dead by then from the brutal headwind riding up the Mt. Vernon toward Rosslyn, and then the slog from Rosslyn to the departure from following Lee Hwy.

Never had an issue with the S-curve though, and I ride 23mm's.