New commuter (Vienna to Crystal City)

[HaymarketDan]

Hello All,

I am interested in taking the W&OD to 4MR Trail to the MV trail once or twice a week. Now that I have a 9-to-5 job for the first time in 19 years, I’m trying to make up for some lost road time. I prefer cycling outdoors vs. an indoor stationary bike. I have winter gear and have biked in poor weather. What I am not familar with is biking in the dark and on the route I mentioned above. I’m concerned with the surface conditions and getting a flat tire in the dark earlier morning hours (leaving @ 530am from Vienna), and any tricky crossing points from those familiar with this route. (I did see the post about avoiding the new sidewalk around Beanie Weenie.) The route I created on MapMyRide shows about 14 miles; am curious with darkness and road-crossings, how long do you think the ride will take? All my road cycling experience is based on rolling hills in Fauquier County. Any tips or suggestions from the group would be great.

Thank you ~

Dan from Haymarket

[acc]

The best advice I can offer is to try that ride on a Saturday or Sunday morning when you do not have any time pressures and see how it goes. And have a backup plan in case something happens, maybe cab money or knowledge of the bus routes. There are old threads on this forum that address lighting, I prefer a set-up that incorporates a helmet light and a light on my handlebars in case one goes out. I have a red light attached to and reinforced with duct tape on my messenger bag. I don’t have them but spoke lights are worth looking into.

I’d also take a long hard look at the weather-related gear advice on the forum.

ann

[5555624]

The “trickiest” spot might be from the MVT to 4MR Trail. I don’t know how that is during the morning rush hour. Prior to that, the biggest “problem” would be the various road crossings on the MVT. Once you hit the 4MR Trail, things should go smoothly.

Changing a tire in the dark is not too bad. You can walk to a nearby light or use the light on your bike/helmet. In the dark, especially if it’s raining or freezing rain, just replace the tube, don’t bother trying to patch it.

[KLizotte]

I commute regularly on the MVT and have been on it quite late at night on the weekends and have never had a problem. It’s a well used trail, esp the section you would be on. In some places it’s semi-lit. The best thing you can do is have a really good lights to see where you are going (see various threads on this issue). I find a very good helmet light to be the most versatile and useful (esp if you have to change a tube at night). I recommend ExposureUSA lights. There are other similar brands out there. Expect to pay $150-$200 per light.

The WO&D gives me more heebie jeebies at night because it seems more isolated but I know that is a major commuter route and since you are a guy you have less to worry about than the chick riders.

[americancyclo]

It’s a nice downhill ride from Vienna to Crystal City, so it shouldn’t be that bad heading in. It’s also pretty dark until you get to East Falls Church, so be sure to get a decent light. there are a lot of ninja joggers out in the mornings.

[consularrider]

You have what, about a 14 mile one way trip? Have you already done a test ride of your proposed route as acc suggested above. At 5:30 in the morning there’s little traffic on the streets you have to cross, so I doubt you would have any real issues if you know the route even though you have a number of road crossings. If you aren’t familiar with the trails, the combination at East Falls Church sometimes confuses riders, so check the map carefully before your first ride. Heading east, the Shirlington Rd crossing from the W&OD and then the jog to the right in front of the gas station to hook up with the 4MRT is really a non-issue since you have a regular traffic light. It can be more of a problem using the hawk crossing a half block south and continuing to or from the 4MRT along Arlington Mill Dr.

The trails you plan to use are in good shape, so I wouldn’t expect issues with flat tires from trail conditions, but do make sure to have spare tube/pump/patch kit. However, the only section of your ride that has lighting is from Lee Highway (East Falls Church near mile port 5.5) to the W&OD junction with the Custis Trail by mile post 4. Other portions get some light from nearby streets (ie along S 4 Mile Run Dr and S Glebe Rd). But good lights are required when you are not along portions parallel to lighted streets. Also where you get off the 4MRT would depend on your destination in Crystal City. You can exit at S Eads St between the water treatment plant and the electrical substation. This would slightly reduce your overall commute distance.

One other note, your trail combination traditionally has not been plowed/cleared after any snow/ice event. There is discussion on another thread that this may change for the W&OD. However, if you plan to ride during or after a snow/ice event, be prepared for slippery conditions. All of the trails get regular foot traffic throughout the winter and that packs down any snow which will quickly turn into ice with the frequent freeze and thaws in this area.

[dasgeh]

And happy New Year to all! (I wish I had more to add, but your in good hands with people who know that area better than I).

[adamx]

Hello;

Following are some bulleted thoughts to help you through the process. As suggested, you can search this site for other discussion areas and you might find good info locally with WABA, Bike Arlington, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, the washcycle, commuter connections and nationally with League of American Bicyclists, bicycling and maybe even velonews.

I ride from area of West Falls Church to area of SW Waterfront using a variety of trail and street combinations and directions.

Pre-Ride & Commute Time: as emphatically encouraged, pre-ride the route. NOTE: while the route will be the same the live ride will not. The ride will be much different in the dark and cold and when constrained by time. Also remember to figure in time to dress and undress, park and lock the bike, shower, change, get to your cube.

Hydration: water freezes. In teens and twenties my bottles freeze. When temps drop below freezing I switch to a camel back. But at 17f on 4 Jan the water in my insulated hose still froze.

Be Seen: I prefer to be as visible as possible. I don’t want ‘sorry, your honor, I didn’t see him’ to be a justifiable excuse for killing me. I wear reflecto bands on both wrists, both ankles and the left calf. I have reflecto sidewalls, I’ve spray painted the BOB trailer with flourescents and I have reflecto bands on the seat post and stem. Tail (red) lights are highly encouraged and should always be rear facing. I believe blinkies are most visible and agree they are annoying to people behind me on the trail. But, I need them to attract motorist attention when I am on the streets. I ride with two – one on the saddle bag or camelback and one on the reflecto strap on the left calf. Suggest models with USB re-charge capability. Leave AC at home and keep USB at work. Never let the battery die in the dark and in the cold! NOTE: on/off buttons aren’t conducive to fat fingered winter gloves. I also wear a light weight mesh reflecto vest. And, of course, there is refleco piping on shoes and shoe covers, jackets and other clothing. I had my four year old help me paint some old gloves with reflecto paint…she had fun and I feel more visible.

See: most of the trails and streets have some direct or indirect or ambient lighting. Unless riding in the woods and extreme dark you don’t need 73 jigowatts of light. The nitrider minewt is a nice option for about $100 and you can get that in cordless and USB rechargeable. NOTE: on/off buttons aren’t conducive to fat fingered winter gloves.

Clothing: lots of trial and testing to find the right mix for your body. Depends on how much you want to spend and how many layers you want to have on. I am comfortable with all parts except my toes. Still can’t find the absolute anti-chill solution.

i tried to attach a cold cycling brochure i have in my archives…from someone in toronto…

enjoy

[dbb]

Adamx just gave some great advice and I would like to reinforce the need for lights. The minimum number of lights is one operational and one (or more) backup. I had two lights crap out on me on my (dark) commute home and was glad to have a third available.

I second the idea of USB charging, as we all seem to have one of those at work.

[americancyclo]

For more info on clothing, check out the Layers 101 thread. lots of good advice and product links from forum members.

[PotomacCyclist]

I agree that turning off onto Eads. or even the sidewalk on Rte. 1 from 4MRT could be a good idea. While you’ll have to cross Rte. 1 on the light, you can take Glebe Rd. over to Potomac Ave. From there, you can ride on bike lanes on Potomac and Crystal Dr.

That route will be better lit, and it will be more likely to be plowed if and when we actually see any snow this winter. (It looks like we’ll be snow-free at least through the middle of January.) If you are headed to the southern end of Crystal City, this will be a slightly quicker route.

[dbb]

Depending where in Crystal City you are going should influence the Eads decision. If you are on the north end of CC, I’d recommend getting on the MVT to the railroad underpass at the water park. Eads has a fair amount of traffic and the busses appear to consider the speed limit signs to offer only an advisory opinion. I live in the area and actively avoid riding on Eads (as well as Route 1). Eads is the alternative to Route 1 so it gets busy during rush hour.

Crystal Drive south of 23d is one way heading north. It doesn’t salmon particularly well so factor that into your decision.

[DismalScientist]

If you are going to far north Crystal City, you may want to try Army Navy Drive from nearby the infamous intersection of Glebe and Glebe.

[PotomacCyclist]

@dbb 12729 wrote:

Depending where in Crystal City you are going should influence the Eads decision. If you are on the north end of CC, I’d recommend getting on the MVT to the railroad underpass at the water park. Eads has a fair amount of traffic and the busses appear to consider the speed limit signs to offer only an advisory opinion. I live in the area and actively avoid riding on Eads (as well as Route 1). Eads is the alternative to Route 1 so it gets busy during rush hour.

Potomac Ave south of 23d is one way heading north. It doesn’t salmon particularly well so factor that into your decision.

I think you meant Crystal Drive south of 23rd being one-way.

Going south from Crystal City, he could go west on 23rd St., then south on Clark St. (bike lane) to Potomac Ave.

Re Eads, I forgot to mention that Eads is only good for the turnoff from the 4MR Trail. If he takes that turnoff, or the sidewalk on Rte. 1 up to Glebe, he should probably ride east on Glebe for one block, cross Rte. 1 and continue over to Potomac Ave.

Or actually, I forgot about the bike path along Rte. 1 and Crystal Drive. After crossing Rte. 1 on Glebe, turn left onto the paved bike path. It runs along the east side of Rte. 1 and continues along the east side of Crystal Drive. It becomes a sidewalk at some point so he could move over onto Crystal Drive.

Note: Most of Crystal Drive will be converted into a two-way road by the end of the year, or early next year. In the spring, the north section (and part of 12th St. and 14th Rd,) near Long Bridge Park will be converted. Later in the year, the section of Crystal Drive from 23rd St. south to 27th St./Potomac Ave. will be converted. Southbound bike lanes will be added to both sections too.

[dbb]

Sorry about mixing up Potomac and Crystal Drive.

The issue is that getting into the south end of Crystal City requires choosing from a number of relatively unattractive options. I am not a big fan of crossing Route 1 anywhere because of the traffic.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could ride from the Four Mile Run trail near the intersection of the MVT up to Potomac Ave along a short path connecting the two?

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