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How many have ever rode across a steel grated bridge.

Discussion in 'Pull up a chair and sit for a spell' started by FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2013.

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  1. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Was thinking about last weekends ride and when about 35 to 40 bikes crossed the infamous steel grated long bridge at Hood River Oregon. It crosses the Columbia river from Washington state to Oregon and has been known to create more than one biker to have a death grip and white knuckles when crossing it. The wind blows quit steadily there and has wind gusts most every day of 30-50 mph. Hoodriver is best know as the wind surfer capital of the world. Many times you can see 50 or more wind surfers at a time out on the river. Anyway crossing the bridge its best to keep a light grip on the bars as your front wheel will move around quit a bit and maintain your speed of around 15 mph. It's fun to look straight down and see the water beneath you and you bike. It is an experience every time I cross it. And the bad part is you gotta pay a toll to cross it as its a privately owned bridge.
    He are a few pics that I borrowed.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366702225.738401.jpg

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366702243.415532.jpg

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366702257.748594.jpg

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366702279.782363.jpg

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366702298.776384.jpg

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1366702328.704001.jpg
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2013
    #1
  3. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    We have many of them here in NY. In fact they were a big part of my career. The Brooklyn Bridge WAS an Open steel grid now it's a concrete filled with epoxy road surface deck. Some are now epoxy filled and epoxy road surface. The EPA dictated that the DOT fill the open steel grid in order to keep fuels and oils from dropping into the water. I used to have interesting photos from my job I have to look for them.
    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2013
    #2
  4. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    And I thought I was up late:D
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2013
    #3
  5. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    You ARE I'm up early! Ha!
    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2013
    #4
  6. charlie46

    charlie46 Well-Known Member

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    I'll never forget the first time I went over the Verizano bridge(L.I. to Staten Island) on a cold day. The expansion joints were SO wide I was sure that front tire was going to get stuck in them. The newer H-Ds with the wider tires really cut down on the wiggle from those steel grated bridges.
    charlie46, Apr 23, 2013
    #5
  7. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    And in their infinite wisdom the City of NY DoT decided to weld studs all over the steel grid to help improve traction in the rain. In other words F bikers. Thank god they filled and covered the steel. Here at least.
    Fatboy128, Apr 23, 2013
    #6
  8. marc 55

    marc 55 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah...We have plenty of them...I don't like them...Especially when wet...
    marc 55, Apr 23, 2013
    #7
  9. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    Victoria Bridge in Montreal a looooong time ago in rush hour going against the grain..two very narrow lanes one each way. traffic was scary. Been across that Hood River Bridge..it was fairly windy, the wind bothered me more than the grating.
    Sleepy, Apr 23, 2013
    #8
  10. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Yea that wind can throw you into the on coming lane real easy. :gah:
    FLHTbiker, Apr 23, 2013
    #9
  11. MountainCruiser

    MountainCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Rode across one over Clarks Hill Reservoir on Savannah River (SC / GA line) on the way to Daytona. Very narrow .... no fun in the rain, feels like front tire just weaving around...
    MountainCruiser, Apr 23, 2013
    #10
  12. alex the dog

    alex the dog Active Member

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    I rode across the Great Mackinac bridge in U.P. Michigan on my way to Canada a couple years ago, and it's an open grate bridge also. The thing scared the heck out of me because it's so high to make room for ocean-sized vessels, and goes over a mile long.

    Attached Files:

    alex the dog, Apr 25, 2013
    #11
  13. MountainCruiser

    MountainCruiser Well-Known Member

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    I actually want no part of that bridge... :gah:
    MountainCruiser, Apr 25, 2013
    #12
  14. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Many riders don't like that Hood River bridge either especially with a steady 20-30 MPH side wind and with wind gusts of 40-50 MPH.
    FLHTbiker, Apr 25, 2013
    #13
  15. MountainCruiser

    MountainCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Would love to ride in your country, but think I'll pass on that bridge! :eek:
    MountainCruiser, Apr 25, 2013
    #14
  16. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Know a guy once that went across that bridge at about 5 MPH dragging his feet all the way across. It's really not to bad once you have done it. :D
    FLHTbiker, Apr 25, 2013
    #15
  17. Ashley

    Ashley Active Member

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    I guess like anything it get easier with experience, but I hate riding on steel.
    Ashley, Apr 26, 2013
    #16
  18. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    I rode on that one back in the 70s heading to Coco Beach, Fla. Sorry to hear it's still there! I never forgot the experience; had to slow way down.
    joshbob, Apr 26, 2013
    #17
  19. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    They now call him "Stumpy" :roflmao:
    Fatboy128, Apr 26, 2013
    #18
  20. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Don't know never saw or rode with him again. He was a short mouthy runt that caused way to many problems here on bike talk. He sure could brag though. We had many other names for him.
    FLHTbiker, Apr 26, 2013
    #19
  21. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    They can be a trip riding across
    When it rains, it's even more trip pier
    cardboard, Apr 26, 2013
    #20
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