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02-03-03, 05:10 AM
Anybody go places they shouldn't during their commute? My commute has doubled in length since Jan 1 due to a lift bridge closure. It said in the newspaper the bridge would be stuck up until March. Driving by on the highway, I notice the bridge is still down. On my way home Friday, I thought I would try crossing the lift bridge, even though the road is closed. I pre-scouted from my truck and a short walk, looked like it would be no problem.
Got on my bike, rode 8 minutes south, (usual commute is ride north) to the bridge - Bridge is fenced off with chain link fence I didn't see on my scouting trip. What do I do? Waste 8 more minutes (16 total) and take an hour to get home or sneak across the bridge and be home in half an hour?
The signs say "no access under structure" - Well I'm going beside the structure on the sidewalk, not underneath it! There appeared to be no one around, so I lifted my bike onto the outside of the bridge railing, pushed it ahead of the chain link fence and then climbed over the railing myself. I walked the bike over the sidewalk, then had to lift bike and climb over the railing at the other end of the bridge - A piece of cake! I'd be home in no time.
However, as I rode along the usual entrance back onto the road,there was a new fence and gate - locked and 6' of fence to climb. I ended up riding for 15 minutes looking for a place to get out - They had fenced a huge area to prevent access to the bridge! Ended up the only way out was to lift all 45 pounds of the Dorkmobile over a 5' chain link fence and then climb over myself. I was lucky, only lost a pannier bag (easily reattached) and a mitten (hard to find in the dark) in the climb and descent.
Net time savings - 5 minutes. My wife also pointed out that if I had fallen off the bridge into the canal, there was no one around to fish me out. Next time I'll wait until the bridge is open!
Got on my bike, rode 8 minutes south, (usual commute is ride north) to the bridge - Bridge is fenced off with chain link fence I didn't see on my scouting trip. What do I do? Waste 8 more minutes (16 total) and take an hour to get home or sneak across the bridge and be home in half an hour?
The signs say "no access under structure" - Well I'm going beside the structure on the sidewalk, not underneath it! There appeared to be no one around, so I lifted my bike onto the outside of the bridge railing, pushed it ahead of the chain link fence and then climbed over the railing myself. I walked the bike over the sidewalk, then had to lift bike and climb over the railing at the other end of the bridge - A piece of cake! I'd be home in no time.
However, as I rode along the usual entrance back onto the road,there was a new fence and gate - locked and 6' of fence to climb. I ended up riding for 15 minutes looking for a place to get out - They had fenced a huge area to prevent access to the bridge! Ended up the only way out was to lift all 45 pounds of the Dorkmobile over a 5' chain link fence and then climb over myself. I was lucky, only lost a pannier bag (easily reattached) and a mitten (hard to find in the dark) in the climb and descent.
Net time savings - 5 minutes. My wife also pointed out that if I had fallen off the bridge into the canal, there was no one around to fish me out. Next time I'll wait until the bridge is open!