Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water...
 

So I'm back living in NYC, working in Brooklyn and living uptown in Manhattan, which means a daily bridge commute over either the Manhattan Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge.

I love the ride over the bridge and I've crossed a lot of bridges by bike but I can't recall the last time I had to do it regularly as part of my commute. As I was up there today in the wind and the rain I was wondering how do regular bridge commuters deal with even more severe conditions.

For example, the other night just as I arrived home a wall of thunderstorms came hurling through and I was glad I was on this side of the bridge. Do you wait them out? Have you ridden over a bridge like that in a storm?

Keep in mind I am literally an every day commuter. In snowy Boston, even this year, I didn't miss many days. And I ride in pretty nasty stuff commuting or on tours. But somehow the bridge feels like a commitment- once you start riding over...well, you know...

I also try to ride every day. I live in Queens and work in Manhattan so we ride the opposite ways. Although I had a long break this Winter due to surgery. I mostly ride over the Williamsburg bridge most of the time, sometimes I take Queensboro or Manhattan for variety, usually on the way back home. Yes, I rode in strong storms and even blizzards. Sometimes it's somewhat scary if there is lightning or when the bridge is iced. Sometimes I get rewarded with an awesome, full rainbow :) And usually I get rewarded with an empty bridge ;)

I will be riding a green Surly Trucker with Axiom rear panniers and I hit the WillyB around 8am so wave if you see me :)

Thanks for your reply AdamZ.

Yeah, yesterday I pretty much soloed my way down the West Side path- I did see a few cyclists, but not very many, and saw two other cyclists on the Manhattan Bridge but conditions seemed pretty reasonable to me- just some wind and rain. But it got me wondering if I'd be the only one up there on the bad days.

I'm on a black Novarra Flyby folder, usually with a black rack trunk, red helmet and I max out height wise on the bike at 6'3 so I'm tough to miss. I'll watch for you- I'm on a later schedule but might see you on your return trip.

I don't recall a tall guy on a folder wearing a red helmet :) I'm sure, I'd take notice! So I guess our rides don't overlap.

I remember once in Winter I rode over the WillyB bridge entirely by myself. There was no other cyclist to be seen. It was right after heavy snowfall and I can see why most people would rather not ride. I had 2" studded MTB tires and still it was hard since the studs didn't help much with snow. I had to lower the saddle on the way down, I was skidding way too much. But it was fun. People were skateboarding down the bridge on the Manhattan side!