Friday, May 17 Trail event

Expect to see very heavy use of the trail doing morning and evening hours as thousand of individuals cycle to work. Bike to Work Day information can be found at http://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/; including locations of the pit stops. Register to get a free BTWD t-shirt at the pitstop of your choice.

Trail Event for April 27

Paul's Ride For Life Date: Saturday April 27, 2013 Time: 7:00 am - 2:00 pm (GMT+00:00) Notes: Sat., April 27, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Ride a 10-, 20-, or 50-mile course along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, between Reston and Purcellville, for the fifth annual Paul's Ride for Life, a WABA event partnership. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Registration proceeds and donations will go to the Wasington Regional Transplant Community.

Falls Church Patch Reported

Now that spring weather is finally here, many people are taking to the W&OD Trail on foot and bicycle. With more than two million users traveling along the trail annually, there are several chances for accidents. In August, a cyclist traveling along the trail through the City of Falls Church was injured when he collided with a car where the trail and Great Falls Street intersect. Falls Church City Police Officer James Brooks said the cyclist didn’t stop at the intersection and was determined to be at fault. The cyclist wasn’t severely injured and Brooks hopes no one cycling along the trail ever is. “If I’m here for an hour or so, I can give out four to five tickets to cyclists for failing to stop at the intersections,” Brooks said. Brooks is one of the city’s four certified bicycle officers. The group patrols around the Eden Center and throughout the city including along the portion of the W&OD Trail that goes through Falls Church. According to Falls Church City law, a cyclist can be given a $25 ticket for biking with headphone earplugs in both ears, speeding or not wearing a helmet if you are 14-years-old or younger, among other violations. Under state law, cyclists can be fined for not stopping at a stop sign intersecting with a road. There are no official records of accidents along the trail. Dozens of cyclists zipped along the W&OD Trail in Falls Church Wednesday, most of them stopping where the trail intersects with Grove Avenue. One cyclist continued through the intersection without stopping and would have continued on her journey if not for Brooks stopping her to give her a warning. “The reason we ask them to stop is for safety,” Brooks said. “There is some confusion because they don’t realize they need to come to a complete stop.” Karl Mohle, park manager for the W&OD Trail – which is owned and operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority – said there are about 75 people in the volunteer trail patrol – all from the Friends of the W&OD Trail – that are out daily enforcing rules and helping with minor bicycle repairs. These days, Mohle said the trail is filled with people out enjoying the weather. He said people should be courteous of others and traffic laws while using the trail. “Try to go easy, a lot of people are in a rush,” Mohle said. “People want to go out after being cooped up all winter.” For City of Falls Church laws for cyclists, click here. For statewide laws for cyclists, click here. Related Topics: City of Falls Church Police Department, W&OD Trail, W&OD Trail patrol, and northern virginia regional park authority

Belmont Ridge Road crossing

From VDOT: (Photos by Bob Evens, Trail Patorller) In case you were not aware, I wanted to let you know that today we turned on the RRFB (rectangular rapid-flashing beacon) at Belmont Ridge Rd. and the W&OD Trail. Attached is a photo of the device in operation. It is our first RRFB in Loudoun County. The RRFB is designed to flash in a quick alternating pattern when trail users press a button. The project includes flashers at the crosswalk and about 500 feet in advance in both directions, so drivers get plenty of advance warning when a trail user is present. This week we will start a fairly intensive round of field data collection, helping us understand how motorists and trail users react to the new device. The data collection will occur a few additional times during the next year to see what changes occur over time. We will also be able to compare the results with similar data collected after the zig-zag markings were installed in 2009. Following are a few points we want trail users and drivers to know: For trail users: · Trail users need to press the pushbutton to activate the flashing lights. Cyclists usually can press the buttons without dismounting, and they are within convenient reach of pedestrians as well. Studies from other areas have shown that drivers yield to trail users as much as four times as often when lights flash only "on demand". · Trail users should continue to wait for a safe gap in traffic before proceeding across the road. The flashing lights do not guarantee that motorists will stop. For drivers: · When the lights are flashing, drivers can be sure a trail user is nearby, and they should be prepared to yield or encounter stopped vehicles as they approach the crosswalk. Not all trail users will press the button to activate the flashers, so motorists should continue to be alert as they approach the crossing even when the lights are not flashing. Randy Dittberner, P.E., PTOE · Regional Traffic Engineer · Virginia Department of Transportation · Northern Region · 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030 · 703-259-2353 · randy.dittberner@vdot.virginia.gov

Construction Activities Along Trail

According to the "W&OD FLYER" In the coming weeks there will be a couple of projects along the trail, which are as follows: The section of trail from approximately Crestview Drive in the Town of Herndon to Private Drive in Reston is tentatively scheduled to be repaved. Exact locations are to be determined but the work is slated to start later this spring. Repaving of Oak Street in Falls Church is scheduled to begin the week of April 15th. Please note that the road (not the trail in this section) is to be repaved. The work is anticipated to take about one week from start to finish. Please exercise caution at these project locations once they begin. If you have any questions contact the trail office at (703) 729-0596.

Old Reston Ave Depot Restoration

As you can see from the photos the footings/foundation and flooring all have to be replaced.

Old Reston Ave RR structure Renovations Begin

After years of the building sinking and decaying, renovations have finally begun to save this W&OD structure.

Extended Hours Details

Friday, March 1, 2013 W&OD Trail Announces Extended Hours The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is excited to announce that for the very first time, cyclists and pedestrians will now have access to the W&OD Trail beyond normal daylight hours. This extended hours program goes into affect as of today, March 1, 2013. The new W&OD Trail hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Shirlington in Arlington County, all the way to the western town limit of Herndon in Fairfax County. Previously, the trail was considered off limits once the sun set. “I am happy to see that NVRPA sees the W&OD as the premiere bike route in the region,” said Allen Muchnick, a board member at the Virginia Bicycling Federation. “This pilot program will help many cyclists that want to use their bikes for transportation and not just recreation.” NVRPA has accordingly created a few new rules to ensure that the extended hours are as safe as possible for its users. For cyclists, riders are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear. All bicycles must be equipped with at least one white headlight light that is visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a red reflector visible from 600 feet to the rear. Additionally bicycles must be equipped with a taillight visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. This taillight may be affixed to the bicycle or rider and may be steady or blinking. Pedestrians, are required to wear reflective clothing that can be easily seen from the front and rear and must carry a light or wear a flashing light. In addition, NVRPA notes that exceptional care should be taken when crossing highways including obeying all laws and posted signage. Trail users are also required to follow all existing rules and regulations governing the use the trail. “As we all look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and improve both our health and environment, cycling to work is one great option. We want to be part of the solution, and help make this kind of healthy choice an option,” said NVPRA Executive Director Paul Gilbert. “Making the W&OD available during commuting hours is a significant step in the movement to encourage more non-motorized transportation.” NVRPA has posted nearly a dozen signs along the extended hours route to help make riders and pedestrians aware of the rules governing the new hours.

Extended Use Hours for Trail

New signs have appeared along the trail announcing extended hours and rules for using the trail during those hours--lights and reflectors for both cyclists and walkers.

Saturday, April 27 Event

Paul's Ride for Life Ride a 10-, 20-, or 50-mile course along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, between Reston and Purcellville, for the fifth annual Paul's Ride for Life, a WABA event partnership. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at Reston Town Center. Registration proceeds and donations will go to the Wasington Regional Transplant Community. Date: Sat., April 27 Time: 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: Reston Town Center

Railroad history and pictures

A new book on the W&OD railroad has been issued. “Images of Rail: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad” written by David A. Guillaudeu with the forward by Paul E. McCray (former Park Manager). The book contains a great history of the railroad and lots of pictures. It is well worth checking out.

March 24th Trail Event in Falls Church

5th annual Walter L. Mess W&OD TRAIL 5K Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 4:00 pm On Washington & Old Dominion Trail from Oak Street to Shreve Road to Little Falls Street and back Start & finish at American Legion Post 130 400 North Oak Street, Falls Church, Virginia In honor of the 100th birthday of Walter L. Mess, chairman emeritus of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority www.SafetyAndHealthFoundation.org/wod

Woman assaulted on Trail

Reported assault on trail. See Reston Patch article: http://reston.patch.com/articles/police-woman-assaulted-on-w-od-trail

Trail Improvements Recommend for Falls Church

Through 2012 the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation studied ways to improve the trail within the City Limits. They recommend safety improvements, additional shelters, aesthetic enhancements, and better signage directing trail users to City businesses and services. Their report can be read at http://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=431.

Proposed changes in Herndon

A recent post on the Friends web page outlines proposed changes to the trail in Herndon. The Department of Parks and Recreation of the Town of Herndon seeks public comment on its submission of a Recreation and Trails Program (RTP) grant application to the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. At a future date, when the comment period has passed (after 9/25/12), a public hearing concerning the matter will be held. Through the installation of lighting, this project, identified in the Town’s Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2013-2017, seeks to facilitate the nighttime use of segments of the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in the Town of Herndon. Approximately 50 light posts, in addition to the number of above-ground transformers needed to power them, are to be installed along the Trail in order to illuminate 3,800 feet of a 2.4 mile section in the Town of Herndon -- that portion which extends from Ferndale Avenue to Van Buren Street. All required wiring will be placed underground, and the lights will be equipped with timing devices in order to regulate their hours of operation. During a second phase of the project, approximately 30 more lights will be installed along an additional 2,200 feet (from Ferndale Avenue to Crestview Drive). The type of lighting fixture and the locations of the poles will be made available when the engineering design is initiated. The public may submit comments on this proposed project between 8/23/12 and 9/25/12 at 5:00 p.m. The Department of Parks and Recreation will accept these comments by postal mail (Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation, c/o W&OD Trail Lighting, Project PO Box 427, Herndon, VA 20172), fax (703-318-8652), or e-mail. All comments (1) must be made in writing, (2) must be received during the designated period, and (3) must include the name, mailing address, and telephone number of not only the commenter but also (if applicable) of any persons represented by him/her.

Of Possible Interest

Cyclist gets ticket dismissed-

http://fabb-bikes.blogspot.com/2012/11/w-stop-sign-ticket-dismissed.html

Safety Improvements on the W&OD

From the NVRPA:

http://northernvirginiaregionalparkauthority.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/y/6CDAD390E101251D/53FA168802C1B50E74AF8F7A76570606

From The WashCycle:

"Here's more good news. $2.3 million has been allocated to build a W&OD Trail
overpass at Wiehle Avenue. It was funded as part of improvements identified in
the Reston Metro Access Group study, in which FABB participated several years
ago. "In the interim, $46,000 was allocated for installing a raised median and
additional signage there. This is a relatively low cost measure that would help
slow motorist at the crosswalk, especially those using the left turn lane."

http://www.thewashcycle.com/
 

New parking at Belmont Ridge Road

The parking area where the Trail crosses Belmont Ridge Road (mile marker 29.5) has been moved further north. The picture below looks northwesterly across Belmont Ridge Road showing both the old area -- now fenced off -- and the new area a few yards away.

Trail Mix--Saturday October 20

Looking for a fun, non-competitive and untimed running and biking event? The Great Skedaddle is a 3.1 mile distance run for runners, joggers, and walkers and a 5 mile and 10 mile route for bikers on the historic W&OD trail. The Great Skedaddle will start at 10:30 a.m. at Farmwell Middle School in Ashburn, VA on Saturday, October 20th. Train for an upcoming race or just enjoy a day on the trail with your family and friends. Like our page for a chance to win 3 1-Month Fitness Memberships at Equinox Fitness Club in Tyson's Corner and 3 FREE Trail Mix T-Shirts! Volunteers Needed: We would like to get a team of 10 together as course marshals, but we can also use extra hands at a water stop or with the start/finish line. More information about getting involved can be found here: http://www.dominiontrailmix.com/volunteer.htm Amy Gardner Director of Volunteers for Dominion Trail Mix Greater Washington Sports Alliance T: 917-623-2828 (Direct) E: agardner@gwsportsalliance.com

Reston station at the Duck Pond

It has been reported that the Park Authority will be awarding a contract in the next few days to jack up the Reston station, install a foundation and new floor, and repair the deteriorated lower walls and door. The contractor will need to obtain a building permit, so it may take a little while before you see activity on the site.