AnotherLee Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I recently crossed a bridge with a steel grating .8 mi long. The grate likes to take your front wheel to some funny places. With the wind blowing me toward oncoming traffic it was a bit scary. Any advice on how to ride a steel grating? Here's info on the bridge I crossed: ***Link: Hood River Bridge*** Link to comment
DaveTheAffable Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Relax.. sing a favorite song. (yup.. keeps you from holding your breath and being tense). Keep a somewhat loose grip on the handlebars, don't try to "fight" it. Look ahead at where you want to be, not down onto the road directly in front of the bike. Keep a gentle but firm grip on the bike with your knees/legs so that your weight adds to the vertical stability of the bike. Don't speed up, don't coast... just... cruise. You WILL come out on the other side. Link to comment
Kathy R Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Relax.. sing a favorite song. (yup.. keeps you from holding your breath and being tense). Keep a somewhat loose grip on the handlebars, don't try to "fight" it. Look ahead at where you want to be, not down onto the road directly in front of the bike. Keep a gentle but firm grip on the bike with your knees/legs so that your weight adds to the vertical stability of the bike. Don't speed up, don't coast... just... cruise. You WILL come out on the other side. Couldn't have said it better. Some grates are worse than others, but it's the same principal with all of them. Link to comment
DaveTheAffable Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I posted late last night, well early this am. I forgot one thing... SYMPATHY! (even though it was about grates, not fear) Yeah! It is a little unnerving. I have my pilots license, although I am not current. Flying has never scared me. But the first time I went over the Forrest Hill Bridge in California on my RT... I had the heebie jeebies big time, and it didn't even have any steel grates as I remember....lol. 730 ft above the river below. One of the tallest in the states. Link to comment
Kathy R Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 There has got to be another way! Link to comment
Jake Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I'd rather fly under that bridge strapped to an ICBM rather than ride across it on a motorcycle. Can't explain it, but Kathy knows exactly what I mean... Link to comment
Kathy R Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Yes, Brother Jake, I do indeed. I can ride a steel grate, but if I have to look ahead off a cliff I'm cooked. Link to comment
Hank in WV Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I just went across it two weeks ago. It is interesting. I did it pulling a Unigo. Link to comment
biometrics Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 +1 on the steel grate issue...Almost as bad as steel grates on bridges are newly scrubbed (grooved asphalt pavement) that is prepped to be re-paved. Not only is it irregulary grooved, but there is always residual gravel that multiplies the effect. The first time I even encountered it, my front wheel felt like the handle bars were not even connected to the wheel... Once I made it to the other side, I had to pull over and collect my self before proceeding. I would ride significant extra miles to avoid such a grooved road or grated bridge if I avoiding it was an option. Link to comment
AnotherLee Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 Thanks to all who responded. Much appreciated. Link to comment
Twisties Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I don't like them with knobbies on the adventure tourer. I think the advice above is spot on. I'd add, and it might differ depending on bike and tires, about 40 mph works for me. Link to comment
algover Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Oh yes, it was years ago, but I remember that one!!! Link to comment
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