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DC/NoVA Commuters: Ice conditions on Custis/Mt Vernon?

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DC/NoVA Commuters: Ice conditions on Custis/Mt Vernon?

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Old 12-07-09, 01:09 PM
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peliot
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DC/NoVA Commuters: Ice conditions on Custis/Mt Vernon?

I didn't ride this morning - does anyone have an update on whether the paths were reasonably clear (particularly mt vernon north of 14th St and Custis Trail)?

Thanks,
Pete
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Old 12-07-09, 01:14 PM
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Can't speak re: MVT north of the 14th St Bridge, but MVT was all clear and good riding from Four Mile Run up to 14th St this AM for me. No ice or snow to speak of.
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Old 12-07-09, 01:34 PM
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I brought the bike to W&OD trail to find that the trail was too bumpy with ice. (It wasn't slippery though) I gave up at about <1miles and got back to drive to work.
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Old 12-07-09, 02:22 PM
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W&OD was annoying. Tried to take some alternate road routes.
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Old 12-07-09, 02:27 PM
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W&OD out in Sterling, Herndon, and Reston is in a different world from where EKW is located. Heavily rutted mostly ice with some packed snow this morning. The studded tires handled the ice OK, but I gave up on the ruts after a 1/2 mile and took the plowed/treated roads (Thank you Town of Herndon) after about a 1/2 mile or so. Haven't decided if I'm trying the trail at all going home or just stick with the roads.
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Old 12-07-09, 04:16 PM
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Was much better going home than it was going in this morning on the westbound W&OD. Some crud still on the trail, but not the teeth dropper it was this am. I made it in, at about twice the normal time/half the normal speed. I was doing a "WTF was I thinking" on the way in. I was rocking 9mph at 5am baby!
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Old 12-07-09, 05:00 PM
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2nd what everyone else said- heading West this a.m., the Custis was somewhat OK to the WOD intersection. WOD from there to Gallows was a mess. Used streets where I could, and the 11 miles took me almost 90 min. I am riding to the Metro and taking the safer way home tonight. Gonna give tomorrow a miss.
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Old 12-07-09, 07:39 PM
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Judging by the weather forecast looks like Wednesday may be a miss also..
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Old 12-08-09, 05:43 AM
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Still pretty f'ed up this morning. I wasn't going to take the abuse I took yesterday, and came in from Gallows Road. All the bridges are icy, the section along Shreve has lots of black ice, and Falls Church is a mess. Once you clear Rt29 you're in ok shape, and the Custis is decent.

Almost went down several times on ice, you know it's bad when it looks wet but sparkles. Ended up running unclipped "just in case" and it was a wise move. Definitely a test of bike handling skills.
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Old 12-08-09, 06:00 AM
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Mt. Vernon trail is completely clear - rode it from Old Town to 14th street bridge yesterday and this morning on way to and from work.
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Old 12-08-09, 07:12 AM
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W&OD much better this morning. A few icy patches, but the trail was mostly clean except for the bridges/overpasses. Now if the forecasters could decide if the ice/sleet is going to arrive this afternoon or tonight or tomorrow, and if it's going to be "up North" or "all over."
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Old 12-08-09, 08:52 AM
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Isn't there a Twitter feed? I remember that someone started one last year.
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Old 12-08-09, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by BarracksSi
Isn't there a Twitter feed? I remember that someone started one last year.
I think bdcheung had it or knew what it was?
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Old 12-08-09, 09:21 AM
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https://twitter.com/dctrails

It was dormant through most of the summer but is kicking back up now.

Let me know if you want to get involved as a contributor!
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