February 2016 Road and Trail Conditions – Is there still snow/ice out there?

[hozn]

@kcb203 133951 wrote:

If it stays above freezing tonight, I might have to give it a try. Forecast is for 29 tonight in Reston, which could be a disaster with all the water and slush everywhere.

Yeah, I put on slicks since I was going to do the Bikenetic ride first. It was a little more frozen than optimal with slicks, but no falls (or close calls). I skipped the sections I expected to be extra slushy, though — took roads from Shreve to Clarks Crossing. Trail definitely had lots of ice crystals (I don’t love those crackling sounds), but it was not overly slippery.

[sethpo]

There was much ice out there this morning in MoCo where few of you live but where the air is thin and the roads cold.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10838[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10837[/ATTACH]

The CCT also had several icy spots in the usual places (Mass Ave bridge and southern approach to Dalecarlia bridge. Full (8x speed) video here.

Tire Review:

Today was the first real test for the Conti Top Contact winter tires. They did great! So much better for a morning like this with just enough ice to cause fearpuckering but not enough to require the slow-rolling studded tires. They are slower than normal slicks, of course, but way faster than studded tires. Very pleased so far!

[Tania]

W&OD update – I rode from Oak in Falls Church to just east of Park in Vienna. Just east of the tennis courts by Shreve it’s still bad BUT the snow field has shrunk so I’d say there’s maybe only 25-30 yards you have to walk (I did try to ride it with my studs but I’m too chicken to keep speed). There’s still snow right along the tennis courts but that’s rideable.

Some crud by Adahi heading into Vienna (where all the construction is on the north side of the trail) – I flintstoned it heading west but then when I turned around and came back I was able to ride it.

And if *I* can ride it, so can you.

[Dickie]

@Tania 134045 wrote:

W&OD Just east of the tennis courts by Shreve it’s still bad BUT the snow field has shrunk so I’d say there’s maybe only 25-30 yards you have to walk (I did try to ride it with my studs but I’m too chicken to keep speed). There’s still snow right along the tennis courts but that’s rideable.

Tried riding it at speed this morning with studs…. didn’t end well.

[Subby]

Just a heads up but ArlNow just tweeted that Wilson Blvd is closed between Rosslyn and Courthouse through rush hour due to a water main break. https://www.arlnow.com/2016/02/02/traffic-alert-water-main-break-closes-wilson-blvd-for-pm-rush/

[PotomacCyclist]

@AFHokie 133976 wrote:

How about one a bit more concise and a little less equivocative

A multi-post thread is the only way to have a glossary or dictionary on this forum. There’s a character limit for a single post. Eventually the dictionary would have to be split up into multiple posts.

As far as agreeing on definitions, since they are all informal or slang or made-up words, there may never be agreement on them. We’re still trying to figure out what ELITE truly means.

[Tim Kelley]

@PotomacCyclist 134070 wrote:

We’re still trying to figure out what ELITE truly means.

Just ask Bob and Shawn. They seem to have it figured out.

[PotomacCyclist]

@Tim Kelley 134071 wrote:

Just ask Bob and Shawn. They seem to have it figured out.

Or maybe they have tricked enough people into voting or have picked up on something unique about the word. Or bribery may be at play. Lots of water bottles and bike lights exchanging hands.

[rcannon100]

@Tim Kelley 134071 wrote:

Just ask Bob and Shawn. They seem to have it figured out.

Actually…. if I am not mistaken…. the true authority on this term is KelonWheels

I will add however that there is complete consensus as to the meaning of the term. We know unequivocally what ~ or who ~ it means.

[Dickie]

@Tim Kelley 134071 wrote:

Just ask Bob and Shawn. They seem to have it figured out.

Looks like Bob needs to post 5 more dog threads so SteveO can catch up on dislikes

[rcannon100]

@Dickie 134075 wrote:

Looks like Bob needs to post 5 more dog threads so SteveO can catch up on dislikes

[PotomacCyclist]

There can’t be complete consensus on what it means. I know this because I am in conflict with myself. I use the term to mean different things on different days. Depending on the weather, or the rate of inflation or speeding up/slowing down of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, or if I biked that day. Or not.

[rcannon100]

@PotomacCyclist 134078 wrote:

There can’t be complete consensus .

Well…. you know… consensus among those of us… you know…. whose opinions matter….

[secstate]

On my first bike commute since the storm, I was surprised (ok, not really) to discover that RCP trail is still partly covered with snow & ice, at least the section south of Conn. Ave. I would have thought that clearing a major recreational and commuting trail like RCP would be a priority, especially for a park that is basically just a highway anyway, but apparently not.

Maybe I could have made it through on my hybrid, but I opted for city streets, and guess I will be for at least a few more days until mother nature does the Park Service’s job for it. (Am I being too harsh here??)

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Tim Kelley 134071 wrote:

Just ask Bob and Shawn. They seem to have it figured out.

If tapatalk ever adds ELITE and dislike buttons I WILL RULE THEM ALL.

[Author]

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