You would think designers learn from this. What's worse is a cut-through from Eisenhower Avenue (Connector exit/entrance from the Beltway) to Franconia. They built a ramp that zig/zaps back and forth through metal rails maybe six times. This is all on a steep incline. I often see people walking it.

I've seen those two. All it says is "CAUTION: SLIPPERY"

Same as the ones they put on the turn down by Farraday Park then. There was still ice on the sides of the trail there this am.

-R

their pizza is so good. if I lived around that area I'd be there all the time.

Checked again today the "Caution Slippery" signs are definitely new. It's not exaclty a panacea but as a relatively inexpensive fix it might bring a few people to approach that turn more judiciously.

On a personal level, given my pathetic track record at prodding state and local government to take action, I view this as a victory of sorts.

As to the Italian Store, when is that place ever not mobbed? I tried to go there once with my 3 year old daughter (hence my Elmo tag, yes I live in Elmo's World unfortunately) for lunch on a weekend and promptly gave up.

Yeah, that pace can be glacial. Who did you try? I imagine VDOT would be the best bet since they are responsible for the trail. Assuming nothing happens there...do you think any responsible parties would actually remove home-brewed signs?

Just saw this on the Wash Cycle:

January 2009 Arlington BAC Notes

1. Trail Maintenance Issues - Conditions on the Custis Trail Switchback at Lyons Village was discussed. Temporary warning signs have been put up and permanent signs ordered. The County has ground the thermoplastic center line off the switchback in an attempt minimize the slipperiness of the trail.

Winter clearing of the trails - Kevin Stalica (County Parks) said that the County concentrates on clearing routes to schools, libraries, Metro, etc. This would receive first priority with respect to snow and ice removal.

Bollards - Kevin Stalica says he is in a tough situation since the BAC generally doesn't like bollards, but neighborhoods want the bollards to prevent motorized vehicles on the trails and in Parklands.

http://www.thewashcycle.com/2009/02/...bac-notes.html

I would think that they need to discuss when they can find funding to correct the engineering deficiency and put in a properly banked corner.

I want more pictures!

That'll be a cold day in hell. There are sections that haven't been repaired since originally constructed something like 25 years ago. Sections of the trail are eaten up from tree roots. If they won't even repave it, they definitely won't re-bank it.

I'm actually surprised they've done anything. Kudos to those who pushed it.

I was out on mile 35 or so, and they were repaving a section a couple miles long. Granted this is Loudon County, where the average household income is significantly higher than here in Arlington, but it's good to hope that they'll do the same to parts that really need it here too, right? :o

They widened and repaved from Purcellville (MM45) all the way to the first intersection south of RT 9 as you head down the hill toward Leesburg from Clarks Gap.

There's a stretch from Hunter Mill to Vienna that they've put up that orange construction fence in places and spray painted lots of markings on the trail, so let's hold out hope :)

W&OD trail quality is much better than the Custis Trail. I've ridden the Custis so many times I have it broken down into sections, from east to west:
1) "the uphill slog" from Rosslyn until you veer to the right away from Lee Hwy after the 66 Overpass
2) "the concussion maker" the next stretch until the S Curve of Death. This stretch has to be the worse trail quality on my commute, it's got tons of roots poking through. I find myself instinctively lifting my posterior a few inches off the saddle over and over on this stretch. If I could just get Arlington to repave this one section.
3) From the S Curve of Death to the Glebe Road Hills. This is some good interval training, trail quality is pretty good even if it a bit unpleasant being next to 66 for some of the way.
4) From Glebe Road to W&OD. This is the best part of the Custis Trail, must have been recently paved, tad too many joggers/dog walkers in summer--awesome in winter like right now.

And has anybody ridden that newly paved stretch of the W&OD near the basketball court/Sycamore Street underpass/and EFC Park. Ahhhh, smooth as glass, but ohh so short, took them forever to repave that too.

They also paved a teeny, tiny, teeny section that goes through the little park by the basketball courts near the Falls Church metro station. That piece was brutal before. I guess it has to get pretty f-ed up before they finally do something about it...

(oops I see jpcowan just made this same observation...)

I broke my wrist on that S-curve in 2003; ever since, I've just made sure I went through it slowly.

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.

Yeah, but WTF? They could have paved about 150 feet more. The section from the bridge to the right turn to follow the W&OD is just as bad as the newly paved part was. :crash:

When I don't feel like dealing with all the hills on the Custis I just ride the big hill up to Courthouse and cruise down Wilson. When I don't want any hills I ride thru Roslyn to the route 50 service road and take it to 10th St. Take one of the side streets to avoid traffic.

It's one of those where you have absolutely no problem...until you have big problems. From the experiences shared here (including my own), you're fine unless you hit a leaf, pebble, or the stripe at just the wrong time. For me, all it took was a tiny pebble kicking my front wheel out at the apex of the upper turn, which is banked totally wrong. And I was only doing 8-10 mph. I'd ridden that stretch many times before anything happened.

What I found to work reasonably well since is taking the turns very wide (like in the oncoming lane). Keeps you from pushing the edge of what traction will allow in that turn.

I just bail the Custis @ Farfax drive and run the streets to Arlington (I work @ Courthouse & Wilson). I'll run it inbound for a change of scenery sometimes anymore, but that's about it. Fairfax and Wilson/Clarendon have reasonably acceptable bike lanes.

Digging up a semi-old thread, but this is the new route I'm taking home (or at least to the trail out in Reston):
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...23800013360586

I wouldn't be in love with riding on Idylwood Rd. Congrats :) I have to cross it to make my way over to Oak St. to cross the beltway (I work in Tysons.)

They're really tearing the s!ht out of those bridges... Hope they don't make Oak St. unsafe or unpassable before they're all through.

That part leisure/part commute? Looks a bit convoluted out at the Vienna end.

It's part training/part commute. Since I also race, I use my commute as training. The Arlington/Vienna route that I posted gets me more hills.

I'll be the first to admit it's not the most direct, or efficient, way home.

I honestly didn't find Idylwood that bad. The sketchiest part about that route is probably the bit on Canal Road, and crossing Chain Bridge.