Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Any crazy thoughts for how to cross a river on my commute?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Any crazy thoughts for how to cross a river on my commute?

Old 01-11-19, 12:49 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 61

Bikes: 2007 Specialized Tricross Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Any crazy thoughts for how to cross a river on my commute?

This little river is the only thing keeping my entire commute from being on bike paths and trails. Going around adds several miles to the trip, and adds even more than that distance as busy roads:




In the summer I could, and probably will, just take off my shoes and carry my bike across. I carry some shower shoes and a small microfiber towel anyway for showering once I get to work. Winter is a little more difficult because of the cold and higher water levels. If it stays shallow enough, I could probably get by with some very lightweight waders. Looks like lots of fallen trees nearby, might be able to use those a bit... Any other ideas? Need something light enough to be easily packed and carried, plus fast enough to keep time from dismounting to rolling again less than about 15 minutes.

So none of this craziness haha:


Just to preempt a few concerns: I'll probably get a lot of responses saying just go around. Fair enough, it's what I do now. If I can find a way to make this work, it would be fun in my mind and make things a little more enjoyable overall. I'm a fairly experienced swimmer so safety shouldn't be a large deterrent - if conditions are dangerous I hope I have enough sense to realize it and just go around. Also, there are no rules against crossing the river here and there are existing trails off the main trail that go up to each end of the river.
Hatsuwr is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 01:18 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
Dinghy.. a row boat you put your bike in?



Last edited by fietsbob; 01-11-19 at 01:21 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 01:20 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
Build a bridge.
tyrion is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 01:27 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
Set up a ramp and jump it:

wphamilton is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 01:34 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 61

Bikes: 2007 Specialized Tricross Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by fietsbob
Dinghy.. a row boat you put your bike in?
That crossed my mind haha. I have been getting into woodworking more lately... I'm not entirely ruling this one out.

Originally Posted by tyrion
Build a bridge.
The counties on either side are planning on it! Unfortunately it's gonna be a long time before it is done. Otherwise I just might... But also, for the same reason I don't just make an awesome zipline, I want to disturb the area as little as possible.

Originally Posted by wphamilton
Set up a ramp and jump it:
Preferably with an angle where I could do a midair flip or two.
Hatsuwr is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 01:53 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5220 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
beach a row boat there & chain it on each side so it's there when you get back?

rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 04:10 PM
  #7  
Unlisted member
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
Here you go
no motor? is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 04:25 PM
  #8  
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,238

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times in 2,511 Posts
Very interesting!

Rather than leaving a boat out at a desired crossing point (which would be rather stealable), I was thinking rather build yourself a rough ferry. I think it might be simpler to build a platform of planks above some floats than to build (or buy) a watertight boat, and perhaps you could 'lock' it in place with two metal chains or cables, anchored into either shore, which would also allow you to pull it back and forth either way, but long enough to sit on the river bottom generally (would need to be of the right material/coating to live underwater)

Or carry a rope and grappling hook and install anchors on either side that you can easily throw and hook (how far across is it?)

Last edited by RubeRad; 01-11-19 at 04:28 PM.
RubeRad is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 04:35 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 61

Bikes: 2007 Specialized Tricross Sport

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by no motor?
Link seems broken.

Originally Posted by RubeRad
Very interesting!

Rather than leaving a boat out at a desired crossing point (which would be rather stealable), I was thinking rather build yourself a rough ferry. I think it might be simpler to build a platform of planks above some floats than to build (or buy) a watertight boat, and perhaps you could 'lock' it in place with two metal chains or cables, anchored into either shore, which would also allow you to pull it back and forth either way, but long enough to sit on the river bottom generally (would need to be of the right material/coating to live underwater)

Or carry a rope and grappling hook and install anchors on either side that you can easily throw and hook (how far across is it?)
Ya, definitely wouldn't want to do anything that costs much, especially in this area. Something that is stable and mostly floats should be fine, and I could get something like these to stay dry. If a rope were needed I would probably just secure it at either end and submerge it when not being used.

Or....

Hatsuwr is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 04:50 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
BikingTech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 117
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by tyrion
Build a bridge.
I immediately thought of The Bridge on the River Kwai https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050212/
BikingTech is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 06:08 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,729 Times in 1,180 Posts
Stage a near-drowning; that will accelerate the process of getting the bridge built.
madpogue is offline  
Old 01-11-19, 10:13 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
alan s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 6,977
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1496 Post(s)
Liked 189 Times in 128 Posts
Clipless pedals and a zip line. Qualifies as a crazy idea, I think.
alan s is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 12:31 AM
  #13  
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Originally Posted by BikingTech
I immediately thought of The Bridge on the River Kwai https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050212/
or Xerxes

Then when Xerxes heard it he was exceedingly enraged, and bade them scourge the Hellespont with three hundred strokes of the lash and let down into the sea a pair of fetters. Nay, I have heard further that he sent branders also with them to brand the Hellespont. However this may be, he enjoined them, as they were beating, to say Barbarian and presumptuous words as follows: "Thou bitter water, thy master lays upon thee this penalty, because thou didst wrong him not having suffered any wrong from him: and Xerxes the king will pass over thee whether thou be willing or no; but with right, as it seems, no man doeth sacrifice to thee, seeing that thou art a treacherous and briny stream."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerx...ontoon_Bridges

Last edited by Darth Lefty; 01-12-19 at 12:37 AM.
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 01:47 AM
  #14  
What happened?
 
Rollfast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Around here somewhere
Posts: 8,050

Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!

Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times in 255 Posts
Wait for extreme drought and pedal across.
__________________
I don't know nothing, and I memorized it in school and got this here paper I'm proud of to show it.
Rollfast is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 09:15 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 119
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 27 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ggoytia1 is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 09:24 AM
  #16  
Unlisted member
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
Originally Posted by Hatsuwr
Link seems broken.
link second attempt
no motor? is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 11:09 AM
  #17  
Full Member
 
72andsunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 326
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
Two Words: Tight Rope
72andsunny is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 11:22 AM
  #18  
20+mph Commuter
 
JoeyBike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 7,491

Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1422 Post(s)
Liked 315 Times in 210 Posts
Once there was a bridge construction on my roadie training route and even though it was only about 10 minutes (at most) out of my way to go around I often just waded across shouldering the bike. The alternate route added a traffic signal and some extra auto traffic. Bottom of waterway was sandy, about knee deep at most. I guess about 50 yards across. I didn't wear socks in the hot summer anyway, and my shoes were damp with sweat although I did remove them because they would just fill with sand. When I got across I just wiped the sand off my feet with a bandana, stepped into the shoes, and continued my ride.

If I were in your spot, and determined to ford the stream, I would switch to platform pedals and purchase some running shoes, or lightweight hiking shoes that drain well and made of synthetic materials. Just stop the bike, ford across the stream wearing the same shoes you bike in, and remount on the other side. Oh...a lightweight bike and a backpack will help with the portage. Panniers, baskets, luggage connected to the bike just make it more difficult to carry.

My old Surly Pugsley fatbike would float! Not with me on it but it could easily be setup with a tether and pulled behind me. I got rid of it so I can't test this theory. But it would float for sure! Plenty of YouTube vids of that out there.


Last edited by JoeyBike; 01-13-19 at 10:12 AM.
JoeyBike is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 11:28 AM
  #19  
20+mph Commuter
 
JoeyBike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 7,491

Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1422 Post(s)
Liked 315 Times in 210 Posts
Or leave the bike at home and go full-on Icarus. Can't commute more directly than this. Just watch for drones!

JoeyBike is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 11:47 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times in 3,338 Posts
If it is crossing at a place with reasonably little flow, then I agree, a small rowboat would be good, as long as you could get permission to put it in, and keep it locked.

Is there any boat traffic on the river?

Getting a wire attached mini ferry boat might be nice if there would be a way to pull the boat back and forth for multiple users.

I was reading the historical sign near the Hendrick's Bridge. Apparently it replaced the Hendrick's Ferry. The Ferry was attached to a high wire, and would simply direct into the current which would push it across the river without power.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 12:05 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Stadjer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Groningen
Posts: 1,307

Bikes: Gazelle rod brakes, Batavus compact, Peugeot hybrid

Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5896 Post(s)
Liked 949 Times in 723 Posts


If I may suggest an improvement, connect the chain puller to the bike or pedal power in another way, because handcranking these things is hard work for little progress.
Stadjer is offline  
Old 01-12-19, 03:04 PM
  #22  
on your lawn
 
OmegaWolf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 175

Bikes: 1995 Trek 370, 1997 Trek 800 Sport, 2013 Specialized Crossroads Elite, 2016 Trek Emonda ALR5, 1991 Fuji Roubaix

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 12 Posts
Just tunnel under it. Or launch yourself across on a giant slingshot made with used inner tubes.
OmegaWolf is offline  
Old 01-14-19, 02:06 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5220 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
any chance it will freeze over soon so you can ride right over it?

rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 01-14-19, 02:22 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times in 3,338 Posts
Have you talked to the local government? It may be that a bridge would be of general use, and a good investment.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 01-14-19, 04:08 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,876
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2350 Post(s)
Liked 1,729 Times in 1,180 Posts
River moves swiftly.
Government moves much slower.
A bridge will come, when?
madpogue is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.