Friday Afternoon Commute - Bridge to trail connection

Don't tease me with this Massachusetts!

• Zoning hearings are another opportunity to push for a bike friendly DC. 
• DDOT says that they will, in fact, connect the new 11th Street Bridge to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Hooray. "DDOT will build a temporary path connecting to the existing path (which links directly to Good Hope Rd and the Riverwalk Trail).  This is a temporary solution because DC Water will be working on the site long term as part of the Clean Rivers Project.  When finished, DC Water will build a permanent ADA-compliant trail in its place."
• A bike/ped bridge over the railroad tracks in Rockville may not be replaced due to high costs that designers blame on ADA compliance. The original bridge, built in 1973 had to be closed in 2010 and removed in 2011 because it failed a structural integrity inspection. Public officials say that the $1.19 million price tag, a budget shortfall and the limited use of the old bridge make it a poor use of money. "The bridge is about a quarter mile from two other railroad crossings, and it does not connect to bike lanes." A half mile is a long way to walk. 
• Which muscles do you use when biking?

Comments

[Nancy]

re the pedestrian bridge -- Most of the places you'd want to get to would still require walking that quarter mile north or south on the pike once you crossed over the bridge, anyway. I live in Rockville, and though I generally think more pedestrian crossings of the Metro line are needed, I don't think this particular location is that useful.

[SJE]

re muscles: I have a question for the community.

1. I love my rides, but am finding riding in the cold to be more tiring, even when warmly dressed. Again, coincidence, or maybe part of my brain is trying to find a way to justify driving instead. Thoughts?

2. I have eliminated any mashing from my peddling stroke, and now I have IT band problems. Coincidence? or the cold?

Most of my riding colleagues at work are still out, or are not riding, so I have no reference points.

[Nancy]

re muscles: I find riding in the cold to be more difficult, too. I think some of it is due to the fact that blood is not being distributed as freely to the muscles, but is trying to keep me warm. (And if you overdress, the clothing can be physically restrictive.)

I am having second thoughts about the pedestrian bridge, and think it should be built while there is the opportunity. 1.2 million dollars doesn't seem like very much to spend when you consider that the bridge will benefit many people for many years to come.
Building a bridge in a different location would require not only the cost of the bridge but the cost of acquiring land, which I suppose would easily double the price of the bridge.