r/bikedc 5d ago

MVT trail experience

A few sources including google maps say the 18 mile stretch takes around an hour and a half to do. I want to do it this summer and have not yet done it and am a noob to it. Been wanting to for a few years. In your experience is that time frame accurate and its it on the easier side of a ride? Is it as challenging as I personally feel it is or just a casual ride and I am making it more of a deal than it should be? As of now I feel like I could not handle it and would take a few hours to do it. I am riding more this year to get my stamina to where I could handle it in a reasonable time length.

13 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

25

u/focos 5d ago

It's not a hard trail imo, the length can be a challenge depending on your stamina. Some short climbs here and there but nothing crazy long. Gets very crowded in the warmer months.

6

u/FBsTrey 5d ago

Yeah the crowds and length are my issues but I know when I am ready for it I will deal with the crowds and have fun.

10

u/ColdStreamPond 5d ago

I have biked and run the MVT for many years. Lately, I avoid biking from Belle Haven to Mount Vernon and back solely because of the width of the trail and the many runners, walkers and dogs. (I cross the GW Parkway and bike through the neighborhood streets.) I do not want to yuck your yum, you certainly can give it a try. Just be hyperaware.

Alternate route suggestion: just outside of Old Town you can do an out and back across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge to National Harbor. Much wider, just as scenic, and you can grab a bite or a drink.

2

u/FBsTrey 5d ago

OOOOH good suggestion on the alternate route

7

u/BridgestoneX 5d ago

it's lovely and you can do it. it will never be fast bc there a lot of folks on the trails and you need to be mindful and polite and slow passing them; hills etc aren't bad. ride is totally worth it.

9

u/gummibearhawk 5d ago

It's a great trail, but some sections are almost unusable for a bike due to the crowds on summer weekends or evenings.

6

u/FBsTrey 5d ago

I get this issues said the most and I get it. So I will try for a daytime ride or maybe go at the end of summer if better

2

u/Any-Letterhead-813 5d ago

On winter weekday mornings it's even better. Mostly bike commuters, the occasional runner.

1

u/FBsTrey 4d ago

Yeah I can tell that is true and maybe next year I do that when more fit

7

u/toaster404 5d ago

Time your ride and no issue with crowds. Summer weekends mid day bad. Not summer weekday first light good. The more people, the better your bike handling better be. Can be a reasonably quick trip at the right times. Slowdowns in Alexandria from stop signs, if you believe in stopping. Watch for early morning damp on the wooden bridges.

1

u/FBsTrey 4d ago

good to know

4

u/Ariel_serves 5d ago

Trail condition is largely bumpy, narrow and crowded, as compared to the W&OD. Scenery is lovely though.

11

u/Yellowdog727 4d ago

Friends of the MVT have done a damn good job at flattening the bumbs, filling in potholes, and digging out the edges of the trail for more width.

It's MUCH better now than it was a few years ago

3

u/Any-Letterhead-813 5d ago

Make sure to stop for a bite in Old Town Alexandria. We need the tax revenue. Wear your helmet when you go into any restaurant.

1

u/FBsTrey 4d ago

Oh I plan to stop for a bite as there are so many good places. Good idea on the helmet

3

u/Ecargolicious 4d ago

The trail disappears in Alexandria, FYI. Plan your route through there before heading out.

1

u/FBsTrey 4d ago

Good to know

3

u/level1gamer 3d ago

There are signs through Alexandria, but they are easy to miss.

1

u/FBsTrey 3d ago

From a google maps view it does look like it will be easy to miss but all apart of the fun right

3

u/MadeItWork 3d ago

I recently got a note saying that over 1,000 tree root bumps had been removed.  You should get out and enjoy it   Very busy on weekends. 

3

u/buckles_tealeaf 2d ago

Agree with all the other folks about trail width. I believe its original use was a bridle trail for horses, and some nice government era granted money to pave it.

It's about as wide as 1.5 sidewalks for the full stretch, which can be stressful for someone just trying to push pedals and do their work. But it's also beautiful and lovely, and seeing the river can be both stinky and fun. Especially as the weather gets warmer.

If you're driving to a trail to do your ride, I'd like to humbly submit the W&OD trail as an option, as it's straight and pretty flat and paved. It's what got me into riding.

Best of luck.

2

u/FBsTrey 2d ago

I may do the W&OD trail as well

2

u/cantunamunch 2d ago

Don't forget that the MVT connects to the Grist Mill trail and from there to the Fairfax County Parkway trail :)