Bike path along Fairfax County Parkway

[notrelatedtoted]

I put this in chit-chat since this is an mtb site....

Anyone ever ride the path along the parkway? I'd be picking it up in Herndon, and I'm curious as to whether or not it'd be an enjoyable workout on the roadie. I see guys riding along the actual parkway (which I think is nuts) so I wonder if maybe the path isn't in great shape. And does it follow the entire length of the parkway? If not, how far down does it go?

I'd be riding in off hours, and I'm slow, so I pose a minimal threat to other non-bikers.

Thanks for any info.

[SCWVA]

The trail along the road is in pretty good shape between Herndon and Rt. 50. Between Rt. 50 & Rt 29 the trail is kind of chopped up/noncontinuous because of the bridges over Rt. 50 & I66. I believe that the trail is pretty continous between Rt. 29 and Springfield. I've only ridden portions of this section.

There is also brand new trail along the new section of the parkway from Herndon to Cascades.

[halfinch]

my experience is that as a whole it is in decent shape. parts of it are a little rooty, and stretches need to be trimmed back. there is one "steep drop" along the paved trail between fox mill and frying pan roads that you'd need to be prepared for. once you've been through it once, it's not big deal, but it can be a blind section if you're rinding at night.
I've found that i can make a pretty decent loop out of western fairfax by using 123, 7100, the o&d and other roads to complete the loop.

if it's quite, i'll usually ride along the shoulder of the road, as it's a wee bit cleaner - less debris and broken glass, and more maintained.

enjoy

[rockhead]

As one of those people who'd rather ride along the parkway than on the path beside it, I can say that I believe the difference is in how fast you want to travel and how careful you plan to be at the intersections.

For one thing, unless you wait for every crossing signal the pedestrian intersections are trecherous! I've been hit and had close calls far more often at the pedestrian intersections than on the roadside. (Actually, I''ve only been hit in those crossways.) But if you plan to take your time, enjoy the day, and wait for the crossing light, look both ways again, maybe walk your bike just to be sure, the trail may be good.

Secondly, the transitions, roots, and dips can be a bit unnerving at speed. Almost like being on a MTB ride, except the tires are skinnier. In fact, I cringe at the hits when I ride it with my road bike. However, if you're already on heavier tires and you're not traveling too fast, you won't find the trail to be so difficult.

Good luck.

[burghpunk]

As someone new to Fairfax county, where is this parkway and accompanying path? I live in McLean, near Great Falls rd.

[notrelatedtoted]

As one of those people who'd rather ride along the parkway than on the path beside it, I can say that I believe the difference is in how fast you want to travel and how careful you plan to be at the intersections.

For one thing, unless you wait for every crossing signal the pedestrian intersections are trecherous! I've been hit and had close calls far more often at the pedestrian intersections than on the roadside. (Actually, I''ve only been hit in those crossways.) But if you plan to take your time, enjoy the day, and wait for the crossing light, look both ways again, maybe walk your bike just to be sure, the trail may be good.

Secondly, the transitions, roots, and dips can be a bit unnerving at speed. Almost like being on a MTB ride, except the tires are skinnier. In fact, I cringe at the hits when I ride it with my road bike. However, if you're already on heavier tires and you're not traveling too fast, you won't find the trail to be so difficult.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I'm somewhat new to road biking, and I generally stay on the W&OD. My average speed is around 17 mph - not sure if that is too fast for this path.

Regarding the intersections, I assume that the problem is that people turn onto the side roads and don't look to see if anyone is crossing?

One of the things I was considering was riding it at night as the W&OD is closed and it would sure beat the trainer. Based on your comments, I'm not sure that's a good idea. I take it that the path isn't as smooth as the W&OD? Sounds like you're saying its not very roadbike friendly at all....

Thanks to all for the responses.

[notrelatedtoted]

As someone new to Fairfax county, where is this parkway and accompanying path? I live in McLean, near Great Falls rd.

The parkway runs, more or less, north-south along the western side of Fairfax County. The path runs along side of it, shielded from traffic by a pretty wide strip of grass.

[rockhead]

Regarding the intersections, I assume that the problem is that people turn onto the side roads and don't look to see if anyone is crossing?

One of the things I was considering was riding it at night as the W&OD is closed and it would sure beat the trainer. Based on your comments, I'm not sure that's a good idea. I take it that the path isn't as smooth as the W&OD? Sounds like you're saying its not very roadbike friendly at all....

Thanks to all for the responses.

Let me just point out that I'm not singling out these intersections over any others. I remember a study years ago (wish I could remember where) that made a clear conclusion from the data that the majority of car-bike accidents happen in pedestrian crosswalks. The same definitely applies, from my observations, on the FCP trail. Most of those intersections have several lanes and people turning into them from either direction, flying through the crosswalks looking left to make a right turn onto FCP, etc. Any walkway along any main road around here will be the same way. You have to be especially careful. Meanwhile, you're certainly better protected while on the trail than on the roadside. So it becomes a matter of preference.

At night, I'll admit, that I take to the trail. Although I will warn that you can be blinded by traffic heading against you, so be sure to use a bright headlight. Once while heading south from the W&OD, just north of Fox Mill Rd, I was blinded by the traffic and I'd forgotten about the hard dropping left turn. Well I took my road bike straight down the bank and into the culvert-like-thing and over the bars I went. It's bad enough wrecking like that in the daylight, but in the pitch dark it's not good. Had I had a good light, I certainly would have seen the dip in the road and had no trouble, but it's something to keep in mind.

Lastly, the path is mostly in just as good shape as the W&OD, but there are more intersections, and some sections are more severe and rippled with roots. Others can say better than I what the funding or maintenance differences are, but it definitely is not cared for as well as the W&OD. Lot's of people ride road bikes on it without problem, but the crossings and occasional bridges or roots can jar you and test the metal in your headset. But it's definitely ridable and does beat the heck out of a trainer.

Take your time, wear a helmet, use a light if at night, and be safe.

[Vecsus]

I live just 3 blocks off of FCP (Franklin Farms Road) so I ride that path often. I like to take my ghetto-SS out on evenings. I'll ride the path north to the WOD then either head west towards dulles or east towards Vienna. The only real hazards on the path are the intersections. There are a lot of drivers that think they pedestrian crossing lines are a perfect place to plant their SUVs. And you always have to be on the lookout for the retards that are making right-hand turns on red lights without stopping or even looking. Be careful about the debris on the intersection of FCP and Sunrise....a lot of accidents happen around there and the glass is rarely cleaned up well. Oh, and you also have to watch out for idiot cyclists that don't comprehend the left-lane, right-lane mentality. I always seem to nearly run into some dork that is riding on the wrong side of the path.

Lately I have seen an increase in kids with those silly mini-motorcycles on the path. Not exactly sure how those little things manage to be louder than the full-size machines they are modeled after. And what parent is buying their 14-year old a toy Ninja for terrorizing the neighborhood?

(Oh god, I sound like such an old man)

[dmofot]

As someone new to Fairfax county, where is this parkway and accompanying path? I live in McLean, near Great Falls rd.

I actually live pretty close to you in Pimmit Hills. If you live near Great Falls Rd. you should check out the Pimmit Run Trail (PRT). It's a natural surface path that runs along the creek. Short, but nice, I usually ride the cross bike.

Tonight (Wednesday, 9/14) @ 5:30PM, they will be building a new section of trail from Old Chesterbook Rd. to Old Dominion.

While it's not a roadie path, this is still a mountain biking website and thought this might be useful, haha.

DT

[burghpunk]

[QUOTE=dtnewsgroup]I actually live pretty close to you in Pimmit Hills. If you live near Great Falls Rd. you should check out the Pimmit Run Trail (PRT). It's a natural surface path that runs along the creek. Short, but nice, I usually ride the cross bike.

I have seen that on my way to the Metro in the mornings, and I was wondering if it was MTB friendly. How long is it?