W & OD Bike and Beers, 10/9/21

 In a quest to be more active outdoors, I recently purchased an Electra Cruiser Lux 7D from Spokes in Vienna, VA. Full disclosure, I am not looking to become a spandex-clad Tour de France wannabe. I just want to get some exercise,  bike to the grocery store for quick trips instead of driving, commute, or just explore the local breweries.

A few weeks ago, I did just that.

I got on the W & OD Trail at the Fairfax County Parkway (between mile markers 18.5 and 19) and headed west to Rocket Frog Brewing in Sterling. I’d never been there, so I parked the bike and ordered an Antares  IPA (I rated it 3.5 out of 5 on Untappd)

Right around the corner (really the office park) sits Crooked Run Fermentation, so I tooled on over there for a Twist of Fate IPA, which seemed overly pale and bland. Another rating of 3.5 out of 5.

It was getting late and looked like rain, so I headed back east, but not before stopping at one of my favorite spots, Aslin Beer Company in Herndon. I’d never ridden there before, and riding in the Town of Herndon can get tricky. Had a Velocirabbit IPA (4.0 out of 5) and left just as the rain was starting.

All told, 16.5 miles and 3 breweries in about 2.5 hours total. There are lots more breweries along the trail; I just need to be patient. Cheers!

Lake Fairfax Park Hike, 10/3/21

 My journey towards more outdoor adventures took me to the Lake Fairfax Park hiking trails in Reston on this Sunday morning. Being relatively new to hiking, the trails here are fairly tame. The biggest obstacle is making way for the mountain bikers who take advantage of the terrain that in some areas is designed for those two-wheeled daredevils. 

I started out from the parking lot off of Michael Faraday Court at 10 AM, and spend about 90 minutes covering 3.3 miles. Sunny and 59 degrees at the start. Not bad for my first real hike.

There is a lot of solitude at Lake Fairfax, but you have to get deep in the woods to find it. The park skirts an office park on its east side, and the ball fields to the north can get busy and loud. Lots of room here to explore, though.

This was a box turtle we saw trying to make its way back to the Difficult Run creek that runs through the park.

Since Lake Fairfax Park is so close to my home. This will always be a good place for a quick jaunt through the woods. I’ll be looking for trails that are a bit more technical, but this is always a good fall-back option.