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.

Dinghy.. a row boat you put your bike in?

Build a bridge.

Set up a ramp and jump it:

That crossed my mind haha. I have been getting into woodworking more lately... I'm not entirely ruling this one out.

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.

Preferably with an angle where I could do a midair flip or two.

beach a row boat there & chain it on each side so it's there when you get back?

Here you go

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?)

Link seems broken.

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....

I immediately thought of The Bridge on the River Kwai https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050212/

Stage a near-drowning; that will accelerate the process of getting the bridge built.

Wait for extreme drought and pedal across.

link second attempt

Two Words: Tight Rope

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.

Or leave the bike at home and go full-on Icarus. Can't commute more directly than this. Just watch for drones!

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.

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.

Just tunnel under it. Or launch yourself across on a giant slingshot made with used inner tubes.

any chance it will freeze over soon so you can ride right over it?

Have you talked to the local government? It may be that a bridge would be of general use, and a good investment.

River moves swiftly.
Government moves much slower.
A bridge will come, when?