Pacific Northwest - Beware the Hood Canal Bridge grated surface

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moleman76
06-30-09, 12:45 AM
Several local cyclists had a very bad experience with the new Hood Canal bridge:
http://www.cascade.org/Community/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=14372

Don't let it happen to you, too.

Ashen
06-30-09, 10:14 AM
I feel bad for the guy, but in looking at the pictures it doesn't seem that bad. It will definitely catch a wheel, but so will storm drains, or the seam between concrete panels in seattle streets, or any number of other hazards. Seems like if he had been paying more attention it could have been avoided.
mattm
06-30-09, 01:10 PM
Damn...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bI-u8HcuVYU/SkjF27q79sI/AAAAAAAABPM/iAE78kQSwhA/s400/HCB%2009_24%20Rob%27s%20bike.jpg

What's weird is that word from the randos was that the new surface was better than the old one - was the 'bike lane' closed in this case? I didn't read the whole report.

moleman76
07-01-09, 07:34 PM
Damn...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_bI-u8HcuVYU/SkjF27q79sI/AAAAAAAABPM/iAE78kQSwhA/s400/HCB%2009_24%20Rob%27s%20bike.jpg

I didn't read the whole report.

Synopsis:
new bridge design includes a solid shoulder/sidewalk signed for cyclists, but until they have all the cables anchored, access to it is blocked by continuous jersey curbs. So, you get to ride in the road. The longitudinal joints between the grating panels are "supposed to be" 1/2" (warning, still enough to catch a 23mm tire and pinch-flat itA), but actually measure 3/4" (19mm or so) at least, and, yes, it's possible for two cyclists -- riders with a lot of experience -- to get a tire into that gap. What goes down in the slot does not come out very easily, and certainly not when riding, but the rider goes off over the handlebars onto the grating.
State says they are fixing it. Hmm, maybe.