my Arlington bike loop

I finally rode a big loop around Arlington that I've been thinking about since I got my road bike. Its about 17.5 miles and uses parts of the Mt Vernon, 4 Mile Run, W&OD, and Curtis trails. See the map below. If interested check out the Arlington bike trails here.

I've been using my bike as transportation around DC lately and it was nice to get out without my heavy lock and in more suitable clothes.  I felt swift like the wind!  The weather was perfect and the trails were not too crowded.  I ate more bugs than usual on this ride and found a few in my hair and on my face afterwards.  

There were about 100 people at the park at the end of the runway at the airport.  A week or so ago Kirby and I were on a night ride and surprisingly found the spot to ourselves.  A few people were fishing at the mouth of 4 Mile Run which is quite nasty.  I didn't realize I was going to ride right through downtown Shirlington.  Once I got in the parks along 4 Mile Run past Shirlington I came across about two dozen dogs hanging out in the stream.  Their owners were mingling and the dogs were having a good time.

There are at least four parks between Shirlington and I-66 along 4 Mile Run.  The W&OD trail is along one side and the 4 Mile Run trail winds along the other.  The 4 Mile Run trail often splits in different directions around the parks and through the woods.  A few side paths go up and away with lots of elevation change which allowed me to dream I was on my mt bike.  I saw some single track that I might have to tackle some day.  At one point I came across a rather large and elaborate public rose garden.

It's not long but you could run that 4 Mile Run leg a few times and not get bored (or run the same trail twice). The whole ride was almost all on off-street paved bike paths.  It was a good time. Bummer winter is upon us.