So, I had an event to go to at the JCCNV, QOTM needed the car, and besides, it was a great day for a ride, so I headed into the wilds of FFX armed with a google maps route and my own vague sense of decent routes in the County
A. I chose a route with multiple wet crossings via Holmes Run Park even though we have had rain lately. My fault, I own it.
B. But those parks could use some signage. I should not have to regularly stop to check my phone when I have memorized my route. It's silly. If you want people to use these MUTs to get places (and not all transportation cyclists are afraid of gravel, or water) signs would help.
C. The bike lanes on Annandale looked lovely. Sadly, my route only took me on them for a tiny stretch.
D. Its hard to cross Gallows Road safely. I don't mean at the W&OD, but at Holmes Run Drive. That is on the direct way west from Holmes Run Park trails, via Brad Street across the beltway to King Arthur, the GCCCT, etc. It is a nasty crossing. Nasty. A ped operated light would serve. Does FABB and FCDOT know this?
E. Crossing rte 50 and 29. Last time I did this was happy to press the beg button and wait at the crosswalk. On Williams drive at Rte 50, towards Mosaic, and Merrilee at Rte 29, leaving Mosaic. These days I am more "vehicular" and streets like Williams and Eskridge/Merrilee are very suitable for the less bold to take the lane. But the crossings seem to be set for sensors that do not recognize bikes. And especially at Williams there is often not a car headed NB (turning traffic has its own signal phase, so does not help a cyclist heading NB into Mosaic) Mosaic is an urban village, and I would guess a good destination for cyclists. Perhaps a sensor that recognized bikes could be done, instead of forcing them to the beg button?
Not to only kvetch though, there was some great riding. Y'all have some very rideable back streets, and some very useful short trail connections (like the one from Beverly Drive to the road north from INOVA/FFX hospital)
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