No(VA) Hipster's Paradise <sigh>: Vienna vs. Falls Church?

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Keep in mind that the trail is an abandoned railway. It runs through suburban back yards, but also through commercial/industrial areas. And the at-grade crossings in Reston, Herndon, and Vienna can be dangerous. If you want more "scenic," head out in the other direction.

Thanks for the tip! On the next sunny day (if we ever get one, judging by the forecast), I'm going to drive on out to NW Loudoun County and park at the trailhead to get some TRUE scenic beauty to run amidst.

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Keep in mind that the trail is an abandoned railway. It runs through suburban back yards, but also through commercial/industrial areas. And the at-grade crossings in Reston, Herndon, and Vienna can be dangerous. If you want more "scenic," head out in the other direction.

Depends on what you mean by dangerous - a runner or biker would definitely need to exercise more caution looking out for cars at the crossings in Reston, Herndon and Vienna; on the other hand, he or she might need to exercise more caution for assailants once on the more isolated stretches in Loudoun. I've never had a problem on the W&OD, though, and still think it's great.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Depends on what you mean by dangerous - a runner or biker would definitely need to exercise more caution looking out for cars at the crossings in Reston, Herndon and Vienna; on the other hand, he or she might need to exercise more caution for assailants once on the more isolated stretches in Loudoun. I've never had a problem on the W&OD, though, and still think it's great.

I'm more worried about some of the CYCLISTS than getting mugged! While running yesterday I kept as far on the right-hand berm as I could out of respect to others on the trail, and since I'm a very slim person cyclists should have had no problems getting around me, right? WRONG! While a few were nice enough when speeding up behind me to say "On your left!!!" before they passed, there were others whom I couldn't even hear approaching from behind me due to the heavy traffic noise on this stretch and caused me to nearly jump out of shoes as they sped by from behind me so close that they nearly collided with me. I mean, the trail isn't very wide, but it's most certainly wide ENOUGH so that pedestrians barely on the shoulder of the trail shouldn't feel like they have to play a game of "chicken" with cyclists. I know some professional cyclists in their little "circles" are irked that people run on their "turf," but there are signs posted telling runners, cyclists, and horseback riders alike to SHARE the trail! I have an inkling some of those cyclists were intentionally trying to "intimidate" me off the trail by passing by so close, but tough cookies! There are TOO FEW safe places to run in NoVA the way it is, so I'm standing my ground!

Granted though, in defense of the cyclists, there are too many inconsiderate pedestrians on there as well though. While running yesterday I was coming up behind three people who looked like they were on their lunch hour from a nearby workplace, and they were walking SIDE-BY-SIDE! I had to pull left to go around them, and if one of those "silent cyclists" was speeding up behind us there would have been a nasty collision. What's so tough about being smart enough to walk single-file when the trail is busy?

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

Coming from a part of the country (or at least a city) where one wouldn't see that (i.e., payday loan-type places would be separated from the cutesy central business district by at least a street or two), I'm a little concerned.. I take it the City of Falls Church is ok with this sort of situation?

I know, Its weird to me too. But its totally acceptable here-you'll find lots of less desirable businesses next to nicer ones, in good neighborhoods. I've been here 9 mos and its still stands out to me.

[Alicia Bradley]

ScranBarre - yikes, that's really disheartening (and reminds me of my own experiences trying to enjoy the great outdoors around here). I think my source (a guy who wrote about his daily ride going west on the trail out of Vienna and gushed about how pretty it was) must not have made it all the way to Reston. In any case, I'm going to take my bike up to both Falls Church and Vienna and ride out of each town in each direction and see what I think. I think I'll do it early on a weekday afternoon, too - weekends and rush hours on the W&OD sound like a death trap.

[Alicia Bradley]

Originally Posted by leighland

I know, Its weird to me too. But its totally acceptable here-you'll find lots of less desirable businesses next to nicer ones, in good neighborhoods. I've been here 9 mos and its still stands out to me.

This is really, really interesting to me. If anyone has any personal knowledge of what's up with typical D.C.-area zoning regulations (or lack thereof), please chime in. (I'm a social scientist, albeit in another universe from urban planning.)

[normie]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Thanks for the tip! On the next sunny day (if we ever get one, judging by the forecast), I'm going to drive on out to NW Loudoun County and park at the trailhead to get some TRUE scenic beauty to run amidst.

If you're going to go to the effort of driving to a trailhead, you can find more scenic places to run. W&OD is nice, but it's really for bikes, IMO. If you want a scenic place to run, I'm a huge fan of the Heritage trail. Go to Riverbend Park and run along the river and up and down the rocks. Also, the various trails in Seneca Park are fun. Difficult Run and Scotts Run both have waterfall trails (not spectacular waterfalls, don't expect to find Niagara Falls or anything. But still quite pretty).

[claremarie]

We spent countless hours cycling on the W&OD trail during our years in DC, and found that each year it got more crowded and scary. Too many people using the trail in different ways (Lance Armstrong wannabes, 6 year olds who just took off the training wheels, in-line skaters, runners listening to music, and clueless moms pushing strollers while walking dogs and talking on the cellphone, and the three-abreast office walkers) made for too many close calls.
IMO, this is not the best place for running, especially on weekends in nice weather.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by normie

If you're going to go to the effort of driving to a trailhead, you can find more scenic places to run. W&OD is nice, but it's really for bikes, IMO. If you want a scenic place to run, I'm a huge fan of the Heritage trail. Go to Riverbend Park and run along the river and up and down the rocks. Also, the various trails in Seneca Park are fun. Difficult Run and Scotts Run both have waterfall trails (not spectacular waterfalls, don't expect to find Niagara Falls or anything. But still quite pretty).

I just wanted to thank Normie for this suggestion. I hiked Difficult Run today, and my "reward" was being treated to a beautiful panoramic vista of the Potomac at the very end of the trail!

[novahousehunter]

Being born and raised in VT I'm not sure that any city around here would qualify as crunchy . . .

DC hipsters are mostly into urban gentrification as opposed to the outdoor scene, is my sense (my "hipster" friends live in Columbia Heights and the like).

I think Falls Church has a bit more personality and diversity though--Vienna is very family oriented. I also like the little capes over the ranchers.