crossing rail tracks,
03-03-10 | 09:07 PM
#26
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From: Western Canada
Short answer...maybe.
Long winded answer: It depends
If you cross the tracks with your butt planted firmly on the saddle and the bike has no suspension system, the risk of wheel damage is higher...and so is your butt pain
Front suspension is going to lessen the pain a little and full suspension is going to make you ask "What railroad tracks?" These guys are doing it wrong
You should, on any bicycle, ride over railroad tracks like you would ride a mountain bike over obstacles:
Notice how the rider is up off the saddle, his feet are parallel to the ground and his legs...specifically his thighs...are supporting his weight and acting like springs. Your legs and arms absorb more road shock than any bicycle suspension possibly can...short of a 9" travel downhiller.
What this position does is allows your bike to move up and down under you while your body follows a relatively flat line. The bike takes less punishment and your legs can handle the bending and flexing.
Riding like the people do in the RAGBRI picture, means walking across the tracks. Riding like the mountain biker does means flying across them at 10, 20, or 30 mph with more control.
This is only partly right. You shift back so that the front wheel doesn't get trapped by the tracks and you lose control of the bicycle. But the front wheel is the strongest wheel on the bike. It can take more punishment than the rear wheel can. It's best to lean backwards as the front wheel goes over the tracks and then move the center of mass forward...a little...as the rear wheel goes over the track. This takes weight off the front wheel so that the wheel won't get trapped and you'll crash but then takes weight off the rear wheel so that it isn't damaged by the impact. This kind of body movement is second nature to anybody that has mountain biked...even with full suspension...as can be seen in the mountain bike picture above
Long winded answer: It depends
If you cross the tracks with your butt planted firmly on the saddle and the bike has no suspension system, the risk of wheel damage is higher...and so is your butt pain Front suspension is going to lessen the pain a little and full suspension is going to make you ask "What railroad tracks?" These guys are doing it wrongYou should, on any bicycle, ride over railroad tracks like you would ride a mountain bike over obstacles:
Notice how the rider is up off the saddle, his feet are parallel to the ground and his legs...specifically his thighs...are supporting his weight and acting like springs. Your legs and arms absorb more road shock than any bicycle suspension possibly can...short of a 9" travel downhiller.
What this position does is allows your bike to move up and down under you while your body follows a relatively flat line. The bike takes less punishment and your legs can handle the bending and flexing.
Riding like the people do in the RAGBRI picture, means walking across the tracks. Riding like the mountain biker does means flying across them at 10, 20, or 30 mph with more control.
This is only partly right. You shift back so that the front wheel doesn't get trapped by the tracks and you lose control of the bicycle. But the front wheel is the strongest wheel on the bike. It can take more punishment than the rear wheel can. It's best to lean backwards as the front wheel goes over the tracks and then move the center of mass forward...a little...as the rear wheel goes over the track. This takes weight off the front wheel so that the wheel won't get trapped and you'll crash but then takes weight off the rear wheel so that it isn't damaged by the impact. This kind of body movement is second nature to anybody that has mountain biked...even with full suspension...as can be seen in the mountain bike picture above
Thanks for the in-depth response. My old MTB is aluminium and has no shocks. So naturally I am out of the saddle to save my soft tissue area
. I'll have to practice the weigh shift and get light suggestions. Btw, my crossings are much smoother than 10 Wheels' photos
Some rail tracks photos courtesy Google streetview:
1. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,75.26,,1,5.66
2. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,22.07,,0,9.02
3. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...12,197.85,,0,5
Thanks,
03-04-10 | 09:10 AM
#27
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From: Reston, VA
Bikes: 2003 Giant OCR2
If I couldn't cross at a 90 degree angle, I'd walk it. As mentioned, you can break your hip like that - in fact, I know there's a member on BF who did break his hip like that (don't think I saw him post). It's one of those things that you could be fine 999 times out of 1000, but that one can do serious damage.
As mentioned, it's not the roughness of the crossing, it's the ability of the small area between the rail and the wood to grab your tire and pull you down before you can get your leg down, which leads to hip damage. Broken hips are not something to be messed with - the bone often doesn't heal well and can go necrotic.
No shame in a bit of extra caution.
As mentioned, it's not the roughness of the crossing, it's the ability of the small area between the rail and the wood to grab your tire and pull you down before you can get your leg down, which leads to hip damage. Broken hips are not something to be messed with - the bone often doesn't heal well and can go necrotic.
No shame in a bit of extra caution.
03-04-10 | 09:59 AM
#28
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,063
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From: Toronto
Could be a lot of walking.
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...265.56,,0,23.6
Granted, streetcar tracks are a bit shallower than RR tracks....
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...265.56,,0,23.6
Granted, streetcar tracks are a bit shallower than RR tracks....
03-04-10 | 12:53 PM
#29
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From: PNW - Victoria, BC
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
03-04-10 | 07:31 PM
#30
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From: Western Canada
Prior to posting, I did a search, found and watch the same video you posted. Fortunately, all of my crossings are at or pretty close to perpendicular with the tracks. My question was more on the wear and tear on the bike due to speeding across rail tracks multiple times daily.
Thanks,
03-04-10 | 07:38 PM
#31
Powerful-Ugly Creature
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 569
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That's what I do, speed up and bunny hop. But, the only rails I cross on a regular basis are at the top of a small hill, and there's some uneveness between the asphalt and the wood crossing that's perfect to boost a little air off of.
Hey, I ride a bike, because it's fun.
Hey, I ride a bike, because it's fun.
03-04-10 | 10:56 PM
#32
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From: Western Canada
That's what I do, speed up and bunny hop. But, the only rails I cross on a regular basis are at the top of a small hill, and there's some uneveness between the asphalt and the wood crossing that's perfect to boost a little air off of.
Hey, I ride a bike, because it's fun.
Hey, I ride a bike, because it's fun.
03-05-10 | 06:51 AM
#33
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Madison, WI
And what you posted is um... not an extra mile or three of walking
. It's "oh, damn, sometimes I have to walk my bike across intersections."
03-05-10 | 02:08 PM
#34
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From: PNW - Victoria, BC
Bikes: 2002 Litespeed Vortex - 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 - 2004 Redline Conquest Pro - Specialized S-Works Festina Team Model - 93 Cannondale M 800 Beast of the East
As for wear and tear and/or employing the bunny hop, it depends on the crossing. My last commute had me crossing a track once each way. On the way in, it was on an uphill so no consequences. On the way home, if you rolled over the tracks, it was pretty harsh, and potentially rim damaging. On dry days I employed the double bunny hop, on wet days, I slowed down and took it easy.
03-05-10 | 02:46 PM
#35
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From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
Thanks for the in-depth response. My old MTB is aluminium and has no shocks. So naturally I am out of the saddle to save my soft tissue area . I'll have to practice the weigh shift and get light suggestions.
Btw, my crossings are much smoother than 10 Wheels' photos
Some rail tracks photos courtesy Google streetview:
1. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,75.26,,1,5.66
2. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,22.07,,0,9.02
3. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...12,197.85,,0,5
Thanks,
. I'll have to practice the weigh shift and get light suggestions. Btw, my crossings are much smoother than 10 Wheels' photos
Some rail tracks photos courtesy Google streetview:
1. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,75.26,,1,5.66
2. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,22.07,,0,9.02
3. https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...12,197.85,,0,5
Thanks,
03-06-10 | 02:59 AM
#36
The Professor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 899
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From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
One thing about railroad tracks is they can be an indication that there might be trains (or trolley cars) around ... not always, but if you don't know the tracks are abandoned you should look. I had a friend whose job was repairing railroad signals - he always stopped and looked before crossing tracks, always. He had a very gruesome collection of photos illustrating what you risk if you don't. You should always look even if the crossing is signaled and the signals are off.
03-06-10 | 10:34 AM
#37
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From: Western Canada
One thing about railroad tracks is they can be an indication that there might be trains (or trolley cars) around ... not always, but if you don't know the tracks are abandoned you should look. I had a friend whose job was repairing railroad signals - he always stopped and looked before crossing tracks, always. He had a very gruesome collection of photos illustrating what you risk if you don't. You should always look even if the crossing is signaled and the signals are off.
03-06-10 | 10:43 AM
#38
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From: Western Canada
I wish the tracks I crossed where like that. I cross 3 sets of tracks on each commute and mine have big chunks of asphalt missing. I'm riding a commuterized road bike with cheap, low-spoke-count wheels and 700x28 tires pumped to 110psi. I weigh in at 220+, ride with loaded panniers and take the tracks at full speed. I do get off the saddle and shift my weight back and, so far, no issues mechanical or otherwise.
03-06-10 | 02:17 PM
#39
YAT-YAS
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 820
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From: Highland, IN
Bikes: Old Green
Dude I broke two ribs a couple of years ago crossing some RR trax that ran 45' to the road. I tried to pop my front wheel over, but landed flat ontop of the track.... I hit the ground and had a rather large dent in my helmet where it contacted the track. Considering I was on my way home from working in the ER, I'm glad I didnt have to go back as a patient.
Wet tracks + Bicycles = Aww SH$&!!!!!!
Wet tracks + Bicycles = Aww SH$&!!!!!!
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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
03-07-10 | 10:15 AM
#40
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: West Philly, PA
Yikes. There's a pair of trolley tracks (i.e., four individual tracks altogether) near my house that are curving off the streets into a yard where the trolleys join tracks before going underground. It's basically impossible to cross them at 90 degree angles. I usually just slow down to cross them but now I'm scared to do that.
03-07-10 | 06:05 PM
#42
I'd have to disagree here, this is a fairly improved crossing with the rails level with the pavement, no timber apron and minimal gaps between rail and pavement. I cross something akin to this almost daily and never come out of the saddle.
That is not saying there aren't very dicey crossing, some that the best alternative is to dismount.
That is not saying there aren't very dicey crossing, some that the best alternative is to dismount.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
03-07-10 | 06:55 PM
#43
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I'd have to disagree here, this is a fairly improved crossing with the rails level with the pavement, no timber apron and minimal gaps between rail and pavement. I cross something akin to this almost daily and never come out of the saddle.
That is not saying there aren't very dicey crossing, some that the best alternative is to dismount.
That is not saying there aren't very dicey crossing, some that the best alternative is to dismount.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
03-07-10 | 10:21 PM
#44
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From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
If I came upon a crossing like this on my road bike I wouldn't give it a thought. Can't imagine anyone thinking they'd need to dismount for this. If my road bike couldn't handle this, I'd spend a lot of time walking. And my commuter is expected to handle a heck of a lot more than my road bike.
03-08-10 | 06:01 PM
#45
Your right, standing doesn't hurt, it's not always necessary though. Each crossing needs to be evaluated based not only on the crossings condition, but also on the riders ability. And there is no harm in erring to caution.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
03-09-10 | 02:22 PM
#46
Squeaky Wheel
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,681
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From: Newcastle, WA
I have never understood why most roadies get so freaked out around RR tracks. Hit them at 90 degrees at
a reasonable speed and your momentum will carry you right over. If the crossing is rough, get out of the
saddle and use your arms and legs to absorb some of the roughness. If your weight is centered there is
no way you will go down.
Road bikers, in general don't seem to under the concept of using momentum to carry the bike over obstacles.
The last thing you want to do when confronted with an obstacle like RR tracks is slow down to .5MPH and then
try to pedal over. Momentum is your friend!
Mountain Biking does wonders for road bike skills. It's pretty amazing what you can ride a bike over if you
have the momentum.
a reasonable speed and your momentum will carry you right over. If the crossing is rough, get out of the
saddle and use your arms and legs to absorb some of the roughness. If your weight is centered there is
no way you will go down.
Road bikers, in general don't seem to under the concept of using momentum to carry the bike over obstacles.
The last thing you want to do when confronted with an obstacle like RR tracks is slow down to .5MPH and then
try to pedal over. Momentum is your friend!
Mountain Biking does wonders for road bike skills. It's pretty amazing what you can ride a bike over if you
have the momentum.
03-09-10 | 03:16 PM
#47
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Joined: May 2009
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I cross rails all the time, and never have any issue when they are at 90. Just get light as you cross... its almost like you are shooting the bike forward under you to get over.
Howeverl there's one set at about 45 degrees, mid-way up a short but steepish hill.... i always get the front tire over without issue, but many, many time I have fishtailed badly as the back tire hits. Never fallen yet, but they scare me.
My most dangerous fall yet (although I wasn't hurt) happened when I tried to pass a slow moving truck. Mid way through the pass, rail tracks started in the middle of my lane, and I didn't notice till the last second. Again, I was able to get my front tire over, but I was travelling at at 30-35 kph, and fishtailed too hard. I could probably have gotten away if it wasn't for traffic (the car I was passing on the right, and an oncoming car on the left), but my number one concern was just staying in my lane. I did that, but went down fairly hard.
(Coming into Granville Island, Vancouver)
Howeverl there's one set at about 45 degrees, mid-way up a short but steepish hill.... i always get the front tire over without issue, but many, many time I have fishtailed badly as the back tire hits. Never fallen yet, but they scare me.
My most dangerous fall yet (although I wasn't hurt) happened when I tried to pass a slow moving truck. Mid way through the pass, rail tracks started in the middle of my lane, and I didn't notice till the last second. Again, I was able to get my front tire over, but I was travelling at at 30-35 kph, and fishtailed too hard. I could probably have gotten away if it wasn't for traffic (the car I was passing on the right, and an oncoming car on the left), but my number one concern was just staying in my lane. I did that, but went down fairly hard.
(Coming into Granville Island, Vancouver)
03-09-10 | 05:55 PM
#48
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From: NOWHERE
Bikes: noyb
Yes. In total I cross about 6 - 7 tracks each way. Some are active to the Port of Seattle and are marked crossings (although in various states of what one would consider "marked"), streetcar tracks and decomissioned tracks that dead end or are no longer used (these are never marked). Most of them are not 90 degree crossings. I just usually slow down upon approach, get as close to a 90-degree angle as possible, lean weight back a bit and roll steady and straight over them. It gets easier with practice, but tracks should never be taken for granted.
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