Patriot

Thought this would interest some. I was on a small descent the other day during my normal 20 miler. It is a short hill, but very steep. I easily exceed 40mph. Anyway, the area of this hill is quite nice. Some local farms, very open area with few trees (for Washington). So, I get about halfway down the hill, and I feel my beautiful new ride start to do something I have never felt before. It started to shimmy a bit. It wasn't really severe, but I could definitely notice it. My initial impression was, "OH NO", my beautiful new carbon frame has something wrong with it.

Alas, I reach the bottom of the hill in the open area. Then, I realized, it wasn't a shimmy. It was a gusting 25mph cross wind. Holy smokes!!! I never even noticed it. In my area with so many trees, you don't feel the wind as much, but when I got into that open range, it nailed me like a truck. Ok, the wind was bad, but not as bad as a bike frame with a problem. whew.

khuon

I get that feeling often when riding across the I-90 bridge between Seattle and Mercer Island. As you might know, there's a nice long incline from either end of the bridge from which you can pick up some pretty good speed. I've actually hit 40MPH by the time I hit the flat portion of the span. However, at that point you can be exposed to some pretty stiff crosswinds too.. complete with spray.

Patriot

Speaking of bridges (OT), but I have been considering commuting to work in Tacoma. A nice 22mi commute. The problem...Tacoma Narrows Bridge. A nightmare just thinking about it. The span has a 3ft wide path on each side for pedestrians and cyclists. Then, there is a standard railing on the side. On a bicycle, you are literally inches away from falling far enough to kill you from heart attack prior to impact. I keep thinking, "I should try it, I see the odd cyclist do it."

But, one mistake, one severe cross wind, and it's Bon Voyage.

royalflash

are you sure this is not the reason that you put Trinity up for sale ?

khuon

Yeah, that bridge is pretty scary for bicycles. I've only ridden across it once. I'm really quite excited about the new bridge. Too bad it won't be completed for another couple of years.

Patriot

The towers look wide enough to make th espan wider, so they can add safe pedestrian and cycling lanes. Will have to see. It will be nice. I just hope the toll won't kill the budget of us commuting middle-class folk.

Other than that, I have to wait to commute to work. I don't think the constant risk of traversing that span would be worth it. Sort of like skydiving, all it takes is one mistake.

Royal Flash, if you send me $1500 (cash only), I'll send you a jar of that serious cross-wind that nailed me.

03FinestAL

If you can make that a jar of permanent tail wind I might be interested.