How 'bout a visit to Mt. Vernon?

**divingbiker** · 02-03-2009, 04:32 AM

I rode to Mt. Vernon on a weekend a couple of years ago, and never again! The path is narrow and overrun with walkers and joggers and bicyclists.

(Zen, if you didn't like the W&OD you'd HATE the Mt. Vernon trail.)

I think a night-time monument ride sounds fun, but we'd have do it early in the spring before it gets dark too late for me to stay up.

**HillSlugger** · 02-03-2009, 06:22 AM

I had my only bike wipeout on the Mt Vernon trail! It was my first time riding out of the basement and back in the sunlight. Got banged and bruised, but it didn't stop me from riding!

**madscot13** · 05-13-2009, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I had my only bike wipeout on the Mt Vernon trail! It was my first time riding out of the basement and back in the sunlight. Got banged and bruised, but it didn't stop me from riding!

I wouldn't call it a wipe out but it was my first clipless fall. A train was going overhead on one of the bridges and it made scrap metal rain from above. I quickly stopped and that was about all I did- no unclipping, no trackstand, just stop and fall. good news was that I was not impaled with metal bad news was that I scraped my knee up. I felt like a beaten person that day.

**HillSlugger** · 05-14-2009, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by madscot13

I wouldn't call it a wipe out but it was my first clipless fall. A train was going overhead on one of the bridges and it made scrap metal rain from above. I quickly stopped and that was about all I did- no unclipping, no trackstand, just stop and fall. good news was that I was not impaled with metal bad news was that I scraped my knee up. I felt like a beaten person that day.

We had a rider coming the other way wipe out and slide into our path. My friend ran right into him and endo'ed and almost ended up in the stream; my rear slid out when I tried to stop and I went down on my left side. I guess I should be glad it was smooth wood rather than rough pavement. So far, this has been my only bike accident (knocking on wood)..

**Cataboo** · 05-14-2009, 06:25 AM

ouch. I wiped out along the trail once as a teenager along there when I couldn't make a sharp down hill turn to get on to a wood bridge and decided wiping out was better than ending up in the creek.

But I think there were wet leaves about.

I sanded my thigh a bit.

Unfortunately, I can't say that's my only wipe out.

**tulip** · 05-14-2009, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

We had a rider coming the other way wipe out and slide into our path. My friend ran right into him and endo'ed and almost ended up in the stream; my rear slid out when I tried to stop and I went down on my left side. I guess I should be glad it was smooth wood rather than rough pavement. So far, this has been my only bike accident (knocking on wood)..

Was that south of the marina? Those boards are often slippery and those hard-core guys on bikes take it way too fast. It stays shady, so the moss grows on the boards.

**HillSlugger** · 05-14-2009, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by tulip

Was that south of the marina? Those boards are often slippery and those hard-core guys on bikes take it way too fast. It stays shady, so the moss grows on the boards.

I think so, but I'm not very familiar with the trail or exactly where we were. I know it was damp and shaded and I doubted that the wood ever really dries off. They should consider applying something to the wood to increase the traction; can't be good for runners or walkers either.

**tulip** · 05-14-2009, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

I think so, but I'm not very familiar with the trail or exactly where we were. I know it was damp and shaded and I doubted that the wood ever really dries off. They should consider applying something to the wood to increase the traction; can't be good for runners or walkers either.

I'm sorry you and your friend crashed. I've been in a close call there in the same situation. The guy was going WAY too fast and his bike slid out from under him. I stayed upright, but I was going very slowly. I think they have signs up indicating that it's slippery (it's been a few years since I lived there).

**Zen** · 02-03-2009, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by divingbiker

(Zen, if you didn't like the W&OD you'd HATE the Mt. Vernon trail.)

That's all I need to hear.
I'm out.

What a shame.
And what have we learned from this?
Discuss.

**Je Suis Sam** · 05-12-2009, 07:06 AM

Any group rides...I'm there! I wanna meet other female riders in the area.

Keep me posted if you gals wanna meet up for a trail ride!

**Kalidurga** · 05-12-2009, 07:12 AM

Any chance we could all arrange the same weekday off? I rode the Mt Vernon trail a lot when I was living in Arlington a decade or so ago. It's wonderful on a quiet day. And, uh, could we wait till after I'm all healed up?

Sam, do you live in Va or Md? Keep an eye on this section of the forum, we arrange fairly frequent group rides on road, trail, downtown, and on the C&O towpath.

**Possegal** · 05-12-2009, 07:15 AM

Oh I'm all about the weekday off - my leave is meant to be used, not saved!

I would love to do the trail on a weekday with everyone! And we can surely wait until you heal up nicely! (impressive hematoma by the way!)

**sfa** · 05-12-2009, 07:36 AM

A weekday ride to Mt. Vernon sounds good to me (although getting to the starting point during busy weekday traffic doesn't sound so great, but I'll deal). It's easier for me to take a weekday off than it is to find a free weekend day.

Sarah

**tulip** · 05-12-2009, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by sfa

A weekday ride to Mt. Vernon sounds good to me (although getting to the starting point during busy weekday traffic doesn't sound so great, but I'll deal). It's easier for me to take a weekday off than it is to find a free weekend day.

Sarah

Can you ride there from where you are?

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