Is it safe to assume that the Mt. Vernon trail is still a mess? I'd really like to resume biking to work tomorrow but don't own studded tires and don't want to end up hoofing it halfway. Have any of you attempted to use it in the last couple of days?

Thanks!

I should mention that I'm talking mostly about the portion between Crystal City and the 14th St. Bridge

W&OD and Custis is a mess, but haven't been down to the MVT. Sorry!

Have you actually been riding the W&OD/Custis? I just mounted some W106 studded tires and still don't feel like I could do it. I'm not even sure I could get on the trail from the snow banks at every intersection.

I did this morning. Won't be doing it going home, trust me. Took 2 hours for a ride that normally would take 30mins tops. Did it on a hardtail MTB, pulled the clipless and went with BMX platforms which was the wisest part of the trip.

Honestly? I did it just so that I could say I did, and to keep my street cred up at the office There wasn't anything pleasurable about it after the first 20 minutes or so.

Nevermind, I just ended up taking the bus/metro instead. Didn't want to risk it. I just hope things are a little better by next Monday when I go back to work.

I drove yesterday, took the Metro today. I've ridden/walked the bike in snow in the past but, nothing like this. As I drove down the GW Pkwy yesterday I looked over at the trail and realized that I made the right decision. I understand about maintaining one's credability but, that looks like no fun-not even with studs: too rutted, pock marked, iced-over, etc. I'm not sure how much better it'll be on Monday; the trail won't get plowed and all the run-off from the rugby fields typically drains onto the trail and re-freezes. May give it a shot though, gotta get back on the bike.

Ha - well done! You've got my respect!

I think I'll wait until Monday to try and commute in. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, I've been eying the section of the trail near the airport visible from metro the last couple mornings. Definitely not anything to ride on. At least this is my last day at work until after the New Year. Hopefully come January, the trail will be passable again, especially since I believe that there will be several cycling goodies under the tree Friday and I'm looking forward to using them on my commute.

Of course if the roads have cleared up by next week I may have to go for a quick ride or two just to keep from going stir-crazy. Already having not ridden since Friday has me a little down...

I tried to ride on the trails Monday, but found I was slipping off the crown of the hard pack into the soft snow. I switched to the streets for the past three days and rode my direct route. I found it was easier to deal with the Arlington drivers than with the slow going and wheel spinning on the trails.

It is gonna rain on Friday. sigh.

No doubt not riding gets you down. As it is, I only commute maybe once a week from Falls Church to DC during the winter but have not been able to do that for various reasons for a month. Also feeling stuck on the Orange Line, easily the most craptastic line on the Metro at this time of the year, gets me down. Three days in a row on the crowded Orange Line and I'm turning into an irritable misanthrope.