Bike Parking at Wolf Trap

Ian wrote them to ask and they said:

Thanks for writing. Unfortunately without direct access to and from bike trails or light volume traffic routes into the park it would not generally be considered safe or easy for bicycle riders. No dedicated bike racks are available in the park, although if you choose to arrive by bicycle you could certainly lock it to a fence or other permanent fixture. You may need to consult with Park Police or a Ranger on site to be sure you are not in a restricted area.

Which is absolute BS. I've biked out there a couple of times. Here's the route I use. I couldn't find bike parking when I went last year, but Wolf Trap wrote Ian again and said

it has been brought to our attention that a bike rack has been made available this entire summer season for events at The Filene Center. The location is just to the right (south) of the Main Gate before entering the venue.

Which is good because their solution

Metro service via shuttle bus is available for all Filene Center performances

is not true anymore. Maybe they should invest in some more racks and some signage.

Comments

[Ian]

I wonder if wolf trap can continue using metro if they request that buses have bike racks in their RFP. I don't know of any charter service that has bike racks on buses.

[microzen]

Tho I no longer live in the area, I grew up in Shouse Village. The route you show was basically my lifeline to the W&OD since I was 12. It is an easy enough ride, although Clarks Crossing is a very long hill.

One thing to be concerned about... Beulah Road between Old Courthouse & Clarks Crossing is a shoulderless narrow 2 lane road that is not well lit. While it is a short distance, make sure you have bright lights & reflectors if you are going to an evening concert.

Also, traffic will be very heavy on the shoulderless Trap Road as well.

Living there for a long time, I can say with certainty that there is no better route to the W&OD.

[Bruce W]

That route is also on the new Fairfax Co Bike Map, front side:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/bike/

I use it on a regular basis although I usually turn right at Gelding Ln then L on Bois, L on Montmorency to the trail that leads into Tysons behind the Sheraton.

A while back I attended a meeting at the new Wolf Trap offices next to the Barns and I saw no bike parking at the Barns or the offices.

It is ok to use the W&OD after dark? I was always under the impression that the trail was off-limits after dusk.

http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/wod/?pg=hours.html

[Bruce W]

While technically it is against park rules to ride the W&OD Trail after dark, many commuting cyclists depend on the trail and use it throughout the winter, often after dark. Enforcement is selective. I've been stopped once. A Vienna police car pulled onto the trail at Park St and startled me. I yelled then realized it was a cop. I was asked for ID, then told not to ride on the Trail in Vienna. I now mostly ride on-road through Vienna at night.

Because of the park policy, it's all that more important that on-road routes be provided for cyclists. If I can't use the Trail to ride from Vienna to Reston after dark, then I'm going to be on some very bike-unfriendly roads.

[Washcycle]

I have the same issue on the NE Branch trail - it also closes at dusk. But I've never been stopped so I still ride it (Wow, I break the law more often than I thought).