1. This is awkward. So remember when I said that DC's portion of the Met Branch was under construction? And remember how I had photos and everything? It turns out I was wrong. It seems there's still some legal wrangling over land swaps and property rights - and from what I hear there is no real end in sight. I think DDOT is hoping to finish the next section in spring of 2007.
2. The CCT may need to be closed for a while. I mentioned that there was some damage on the CCT from where water, flowing down the streets in the Palisades neighborhood, overwhelms the drainage going under the trail and so instead flows over it and erodes the rail bed. (see poorly taken photos). Well, the National Park Service said that even if DC came up with the money ($140K), which they probably can, they may not have the manpower to manage the project. If they did, they might have to close a section of the trail between the "secret" Norton Street access and the Arizona Ave Bridge, for as long as 6 months (Though it's
possible a temporary detour could be put in place). The trail needs to be repaired in two places and could wash away in as little as 3 years under normal weather - sooner with a hurricane. If they do do the work, they might build a staircase down to chain bridge too.
3. Sierra Club activist reviews the Montgomery County "in the 21st" century plan.
The urbanized centers would benefit not just their inhabitants, but also the people who live in the traditional suburban neighborhoods around them. We would be able to access many of our needs by foot or bicycle. More of us would have access to good public transport. Children could walk to school again!
4. Patuxent River Rural Legacy Ride on June 10th
5. The CSC Clarendon Bike Race is June 3rd.
The CSC Invitational, the region's premier professional bike race, is in its 9th year. This exciting event offers race fans a great opportunity to see the world's best cyclists compete on a very spectator friendly course 1 km in length, located at the Clarendon Metro stop in Arlington, VA. The 100 lap Men's Pro race begins at noon.
6. If we can celebrate MLK's birthday in April then we can celebrate the opening of the XCT twice.
The trail stitches together a series of existing trails in the 399-square-mile county, allowing bikers, walkers and joggers to traverse Fairfax from the Occoquan River in the south to the Potomac River in the north, crossing the greenways of Difficult Run, Accotink Creek and Pohick Creek. Although some segments of the trail run along busy roads, long stretches of it are in surprisingly secluded stream valleys and woods. Despite the heavy development of recent decades, Fairfax still has 23,000 acres of parkland.
7. More about Bike Month.
8.The Outside Line writes about biking and upcoming rides.
So I found myself last weekend in western Montgomery County, wending through the back roads around Poolesville, cruising by farms and fields, with no more company than the occasional horse I'd pass in a pasture.
9. Here's a good article in the Gazette about trail biking - something I'd like to do more of.
The Oxon Hill club holds rides twice a week during the summer and once a week during the winter. In fact, there’s only one time of year they truly stop — hunting season.
‘‘Hunters and mountain bikers do not mix,” Howard said.
10. The Georgetown Boathouse Environment Assessment is out. Comment period lasts until June 15th. The boathouse would be build at the southern trailhead of the CCT.
The start of the Capital Crescent Trail, at K Street, will be constricted by a construction and maintenance access road; bikers, hikers, and baby strollers will tangle with heavy equipment.
And from the EA
Along the CCT, visitors would be directly affected by construction of the boathouse because of its proximity to the trail. Once the boathouse is constructed, views from the CCT will be obstructed when biking or walking along the trail adjacent to the new building. While a similar condition exists as the CCT passes the WCC, under Alternatives A,B or C visitors would experience a two story building in an area where they currently experience a natural environment. Further, while visitor use of the trail would continue similar to existing conditions, there would be occasional periods when movement is restricted due to a trailer, or service vehicle, turning into or out of the turnaround area.
Check out www.atha.com for their PG Heritage area bike ride, I think 6/3.
Posted by: Richard Layman | May 22, 2006 at 07:57 PM