How do you ride drawbridge grates?
01-28-16, 10:51 AM
#26
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we have tons of those in Chicago over the river. on my road bike I will go to the sidewalk, they freak me out. I can only imagine how horrible a crash on that surface would be. On a mountain bike I'll ride over them if they are dry, even then it is freaky.
01-28-16, 11:59 AM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm from Miami and there were a couple drawbridges exactly like what you describe that I'd cross while headed out to Miami Beach on my bike. Never went down, but I'd clench up every time just thinking about what that grating would do to your skin if you did crash. Definitely light hands on the bars. I prefer to keep my hands in the drops on bridges because it gives me a more secure grip if needed.
I wrecked on a narrow wooden bridge here last year because my front wheel found a gap between two planks and I was holding the tops, so the bars jerked and I didn't have time to react. I think if I'd been in the drops I could have had a chance to steer out of it.
I wrecked on a narrow wooden bridge here last year because my front wheel found a gap between two planks and I was holding the tops, so the bars jerked and I didn't have time to react. I think if I'd been in the drops I could have had a chance to steer out of it.
01-28-16, 12:23 PM
#28
Banned
I would not want to drop My keys while crossing one. (Here, it's The Old Bridge . the New one is Vertical Lift and paved. )
01-29-16, 07:15 AM
#29
Senior Member
01-29-16, 11:46 AM
#30
Senior Member
Worst grate I encountered on a bike in Fort Lauderdale is where Route 1 dips under a river. The storm grate at the bottom stretches from wall to wall with long inch wide wheel sucking slots. I recommend not taking that tunnel.
01-29-16, 12:08 PM
#31
cowboy, steel horse, etc
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Don't be overly concerned with traveling in a straight line, let the front tire go where it wants and do your best to readjust to the new lines the bike takes. Definitely don't try to turn.
01-29-16, 12:53 PM
#32
Portland Fred
Years ago I did a night time disorganized ride in Portland. We rode over the metal grate Hawthorne Bridge. Mid June but 50s adn raining, I was so cold I was shivering, riding my (now retired) Team Dumpster, a fix gear that rode like a very quick steering '70s race bike. The grating buzz amplified my shivering. Wild.
Ben
Ben
