CASES - ATHLETIC, SPORTS & MEDICINE

WOMAN SENTENCED FOR DRIVING CAR ON W&OD TRAIL

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 LAW SHOP

"Last year, we wrote about a woman who drove her car on the W&OD trail, hitting a cyclist and sending other trail users diving into the bushes for safety.  Click here to read the full post.

At the time the driver was charged with driving while intoxicated and felony hit-and-run.

We have just learned that the driver reached a deal with Fairfax County prosecutors and avoided the felony charge.  She pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and hit-and-run, and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Disappointing Outcome

Is six months in prison and a misdemeanor charge really the appropriate punishment for a woman who drives her car at speeds close to 50 mph for close to 5 miles on a trail designed for and used by bikers, walkers, strollers, rollerbladers, etc.?

The driver, who was drinking before getting behind the wheel, endangered the lives of many trail users, and raised fear in the local community about the safety of the trail.

According to Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau, the outcome is disappointing.  Not only does the woman in this particular case get off somewhat easily with a misdemeanor charge, the message is sent that driving while intoxicated and causing injury is not serious enough to warrant felony charges."

Trail Event-Sunday, June 7th

The American Diabetes Association's Northern Virginia Tour de Cure (www.diabetes.org/novatourdecure) will be held on June 7th beginning and ending at the Reston Town Center.  The charity ride hopes to once again have 1200 participants take part.

The segmented portions of our routes that are on the W&OD trail between Vienna and Purcellville will be especially busy.  Times range from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Trail Event on Friday, May 15th.

On Friday May 15, 2015 Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association invite you to join over 10,000 area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun, and healthy way to get to work. Attend one of 79 pit stops throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to receive refreshments, and be entered into a raffle for  bicycles being given away.

Trail Event 0n Saturday, April 18th

The Ride to Provide will be taking place on the trail from 9:00am to 1:00pm on 4/18/15. Start is at Reston Town Center and riders can do a 10, 20, 35, or 53 mile ride. Riders head west. Start times are staggered for different ride lengths.

Trail Event--Sunday, April 25

Paul’s Ride for Life – a fun bike ride for everyone!

WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2015

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.   Registration open (packet and bib pick-up, onsite registration)
7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.   Ride (rolling start)
11:30 a.m.   Closing ceremony & raffle drawing

Rain or shine!

Download the RIDE DAY FACT SHEET and get all the information you need for the ride!

WHERE: Registration, ride start and finish, closing ceremony, and raffle drawing are all at the Reston Town Centeron Democracy Street between Library and Explorer in front of The Bike Lane (bike shop) in Reston, VA. Download a pdf map of the Reston Town Center for location and parking garages.

ROUTE: Start at Reston Town Center on Democracy Street. All rides are out and back heading west along theWashington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. The route is paved asphalt. The ride includes 10, 20, and 1/2 Century +2 mile options. Volunteers will be at several rest stops along the way to cheer you on and nourish you with goodies. We’ve even heard a rumor that cookies might be at every rest stop this year!

Trail Event--Sunday March 29th

^{7th annual} Walter L. Mess
W&OD TRAIL 5K
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - 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 memory of Walter L. Mess, chairman emeritus of Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority 
www.SafetyAndHealthFoundation.org/wod

Trail to be cleared of Snow this winter

According to the FALLS CHURCH NEWS PRESS "The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority will clear the Washington & Old Dominion Trail of snow this winter, says Chris Pauley, the director of park operations. The trail, owned and operated by the park authority, runs through Falls Church and is widely used by bikers, runners, walkers, skaters, and dog walkers."  See complete story at

http://fcnp.com/2014/12/23/in-case-of-snow-45-mile-wod-trail-will-be-cleared-f/

Trail Event November 27

The Giving Thanks 5K is on Thanksgiving morning. Expect more trail traffic in Vienna trail area (west of Ayr Hill) between about 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Most of the course is on the trail, although it starts on hilly neighborhood streets.  Race supports wounded warriors. 

Trail improvements at Vienna Community Center

As reported in the November 20, 2014 Sun Gazette, ...
"Trail Upgrades:  Salgado [Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Salgado] also updated the Council regarding plans to shift the location of the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Trail near the community center.  The  trail will be widened to 18 feet near the center and will have a 1.5-foot-wide gravel shoulder in some areas.  Officials hope to add an S-curve to the trail shortly before it intersects with busy Park Street an add 6-inch-tall 'teardrop' islands in the middle of the trail on either side of the street."

Connector Trail to open Oct 25

The Meadow Lark Garden Connector Trail is scheduled to open the weekend of October 25. This connector trail is near mile marker 14.5; between Vienna and Hunter Mill Road. 1.5 miles long, the Meadowlark Connector Trail provides a link to the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. This trail section is paved. Getting to the Gardens from the connector requires using a short road ssection. The 95-acre Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, open daily year-round. Walking paths wind around ponds, native trees, wildflowers, a butterfly garden, a Korean cultural garden, and many other visual sites.

Trail Paving results in gravel detour

Paving has begun from Crestview west and trail users from west being detoured to gravel at Sterling Road. Skinny tire bikes can't negotiate there well.

Evening Trail Event--Tuesday, Sept 9th

The Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Herndon cordially invite you to attend a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the Washington and Old Dominion Trail lighting project Tuesday, September 9, 2014 8 o’clock in the evening W&OD trail at the Herndon Caboose (near 765 Lynn Street, Herndon)

Trail Event--Sunday, August 17

Just a heads up on the Leesburg 5k/20k being held this coming Sunday 8/17 starting at 7:30AM. Runners will be using the W&OD trail between mm 34 in Leesburg and 39.5 at Paeonian Springs so the area will be extremely congested.

Trail Event--Sunday, August 24

RBC Century Date: Sunday August 24, 2014 Time: 6:30 am - 5:00 pm Location: eastbound W&OD Leesburg-Reston Notes: Sunday August 24nd Reston Century Event from 6:30 AM to 5 PM. Approximately 1200 riders start at Reston Town Center. The portion of the W&OD used for this event is from Grace Street in Herndon to Ashburn Road (westbound leg) and returning from Leesburg to Reston Town Center via trail in its entirety (eastbound leg).

Trail Event for May 24

Civil War hike in Reston from Wiehle Avenue to Hunter Mill Road. This is the monthly hike conducted by 12 Civil War enthusiasts from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Another Trail Event for May 17

Turtle Trot 5k in Arlington from 8 AM to 1 PM. 250 runners expected for this event and the route will be from Bluemont Park out west to area of Madison Manor Park (near pedestrian bridge over I-66) and returning to Bluemont Park.

Trail Event for May 17

Spinal Research Foundation "We've Got Your Back Run" from 8 AM to 11 AM. 800 participants expected and the route will be from NVCC in Reston (off the trail) down to Sunrise Valley Drive (off the trail) and returning to NVCC. Not all the trail will be used for the event.

Trail Event for May 10

Green Lizard Bike-a-thon from 9 AM to 6 PM. 250 participants expected and the route will be from Herndon to Purcellville and back.

Trail Event May 16th

Expect heavy trail usage for Bike-to-Work day on Friday, May 16th.

April Trail Events

* St. John's Millenium Bike Ride on April 5th (Saturday). 30 riders cycling from Vienna to Reston and returning to Vienna. Event from 9 AM to 12 noon. * Family 5k and Fun Run on April 6th (Sunday). 325 runners starting in area of Ayr Hill Road (off of the trail), entering trail at Mill Street (near the western entering/leaving Vienna sign). They will go about 1/2 mile east then turn around. Event from 8 AM to 10 AM. * Loudoun Half and 8k on April 13th (Sunday). 500-600 participants. Runners will use the Smith Switch to Claiborne Parkway section of trail. Event from 7 AM to 12 noon (most of the event is off trail). * Wounded Warrior/Soldier Ride on April 19th (Saturday). Approximately 50 riders will ride the trail from Herndon Community Center to Douglass Community Center in Leesburg and return to Herndon. Event from 8 AM to 3 PM. * Civil War Hike on April 19th (Saturday). One dozen (12) hikers in Civil War attire marching from Wiehle Avenue in Reston to Hunter Mill Road and back (and forth). Event from 9 AM to 5 PM. * Ride to Provide on April 19th (Saturday). 600 riders cycling from Reston Town Center out to Purcellville and back. Event from 8 AM to 3 PM. * Vale Walk-a-thon on April 26th (Saturday). 100 walkers will walk starting in Vienna, turnaround at mile marker 21 1/2 in Herndon and returing to Vienna (marker 10). Event from 8 AM to 12 noon. * Walk/Run/Ride for LIFE on April 26th (Saturday). 250 participants will begin at Grace Presbyterian Church at Cedar Lane and turn around at Maple Ave (Rt. 123). Event from 8 AM to 12 noon; also group is aware of Vale event. * Run Me Home 5k run on April 26th (Saturday). 350 participants will run from Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg (near King Street) and will enter trail here. Turnaround point is at marker 36 1/2 and will exit trail at Catoctin Circle. Event from 7:30 AM to 9 AM. * Paul's Ride for Life event on April 26th (Saturday). About 350 participants from Reston Town Center out to Purcellville and back (depending on distance). Trail portion starts around 8 AM ends by noon or so with after-party of sorts at Reston Town Center.