Worst commute ever.
 

I crashed going around a downhill switchback on the Custis trail, which ejected my Garmin 705 into the undergrowth. It's gone.

Then I got hit by a car in Georgetown.

****ing sucky start to my day.

That's terrible.

Is the bike damaged? Are you damaged?

If your garmin is on (or was) you can get it to beep by bringing the heartrate monitor in and out of range. You should be able to locate it that way.

Totally bummer. Let me guess, you crashed at the steep S shaped switchback near Spout Run behind the strip mall with the Giant/Italian Store/Big Wheel Bikes etc.? I crashed there too about 3 weeks ago. That area is treacherous since the pavement stays wet and there are lots of leaves on the ground. The painted strips dividing the bike path there is thick and very slippery when wet--I wiped out when my front wheel hit it.

Be extra, extra careful going down that switchback, it's the worst spot on the Custis Trail IMO.

damn shame about the Garmin. I lost one on the trail before. I wonder how much gear is out there?

I searched for it as long as I coulD but had to get to work.

JP; that's the spot. I hate it.

I'm banged up but ok. Same with thE bike.

We need to come up with a detour around that hated S shaped switchback or else just get off the bike and walk for a bit. I noticed right before you hit the overpass that crosses Lee Highway there is an exit to the street, I may check out if that goes to the sidewalk so you could just avoid that switchback.

Very glad your ok BD. Sorry about the hardware loss though :)

Good. Lord.

I hope everything's OK.

Was it the very last left hand turn switchback as your coming downhill? I've witnessed two people crash there right in front of me. Did the Garmin shoot to the left in the brush? I'm heading up that way this afternoon and can take a look for a minute or two.

Just goes to show that you are one tough bugger. Glad that you are okay and able to come on here to post about it. Take things easy for a while. :o

that's the one. I appreciate any help but doubt that thing will be found. Thanks in advance though.

Sorry about your commute, man, that is absolutely crappy. Hope your day gets better, if I was in Arlington today I'd have to buy you a beer.

That switchback is, indeed, absolutely awful. Since it's obviously a deathtrap, I've always taken it at 10mph or less. And even that slow, I wiped out when my front wheel (25mm) hit something I couldn't see, right when I was at the apex of the upper turn. Combine tight turn+steep downhill+tree debris+shadows and it's pretty much guaranteed disaster for roadie tires.

Based on our collective experiences crashing there, I wouldn't ride it again with less than 28mm tires at any speed, maybe even 32mm.

I'm with JPCowan, I think I'll be dismounting there from now on. It might be a good idea if there was a sign to that effect - "folks with skinny tires need to dismount". Also JPCowan - please do report back if you find a good detour to that S-curve.

BDCheung, welcome to the "I wrecked the Custis switchback" club. We should get jerseys printed. ;)

Sounds like a dangerous commute. Is there an MUP you can use? Or do you prefer danger?

Swiiiiiing and a miss on that one, Denny.

bd, here's hoping you recover that Garmin. On the bright side, you're still here to post and not hurt badly, which is a good thing. :D

My work to home commute is all on the Curtis Trail/W&OD. Home to work in the early A.M. I get off at Ballston and ride down Fairfax and Wilson. You can turn left on Lynn St in Rosslyn and pick up the trail again at Lee Highway. It does cut off a bit of distance and lets you skip the switchback and few uphill climbs on the Curtis trail. I've been going that way for a few months and it works great. Something to think about.

I wiped out at the last turn too. Your inclination is to veer inside on the pavement when coming out of the last turn but when you do that your front wheel may hit the paint and if it is wet you can lose control fast, that's what happened to me. Any one ever try to pester Arlington County to send a crew to blow or spray the leaves out of there every week?

Any chance of getting to look for it more after work? That's a helluva loss.
I'm a cheapskate though. I woulda called work and let them know I had an accident and would be there as soon as possible. Mind you... which means it wouldn't be possible until I found my Garmin!

Sorry man, hope your day gets better.

I don't know if it would even help. Honestly, the leaves are at least a good warning sign. I wiped out in the middle of summer, dry pavement, on a piece of tree debris or rock or whatever I couldn't even see.

Personally, I think it's unfixable as it is.

I know yo know the drill, but just make sure nothing is hurting to bad tomorrow else get it checked out.

If I was near you I'd send my 8 year old to look for the 705, that boy can find anything that's lost, he's saved me on a few items.

sorry to hear about your day. how did you get hit? get their info to fix your bike?....

That durned hill is why I take Fairfax/Wilson Blvd each way to work.

Should a bunch of us show up and have a "705 finding party" BD? I'm game.

-R

Just so you understand Denny, the Custis Trail *is* a MUP.