Rain, a metal bridge, and constant 5th gear

[Billyboy]

Last night the CMA went for their weekly ride. Instead of going 25km north like we normally do, we went 75km south. I was a little nervous as I've never taken the bike that far from home, but I sacked up and told meself that the ol' GS is strong, it'll make it.

It rained a little bit as we headed out, but we were headed away from it.

14km down the road is a little town called Taylor on the banks of the Peace River. The Taylor bridge is a fairly long with a metal grate surface.
Here's a crappy pic but it's all I could find.

This one is from the north side. You can't see all of it. It goes further left.

So this is the first time I rode over a grate surace. It's not fun. I didn't like it at all. I just tried to relax and let it do it's thing.

The bike ran strong all the way there and back, but we hit heavy rain about the spot that last pic was taken. It was about a half inch deep as it ran down the road. Sheery!. This was going down the coulies. The bridge wasn't fun in the downpour.

Made 'er through ok and rode carefully all the way home where I stripped off my soaked jeans and underwear. I wrung the water out of my fundies. I was wet! But all in all it was a great experience.:-D

This morning coming in I tried to shift down from 5th and couldn't feel my shift lever. Looked down and it was GONE! I had to be creative on the rest of the ride to avoid stopping, but I made it to work ok. My wife is bringing my spare shifter.

 

[earlfor]

Grated bridges are all in your mind. They are no more difficult than normal asphalt, just a little different feel.

Earl

 

[wharrah]

I think riding in the rain is a RUSH. I LOVE IT. Once I get over the idea that my clothes will likely be soaked (if I don't put on the rainsuit in time), then I'm good-to-go...

And, grated bridges aren't that big of a deal, just do like you did... straight and true, no sudden steering moves, especially if the metal is wet. Otherwise, just enjoy the view STRAIGHT DOWN!

 

[marvinsc]

Glad You're OK. When I saw the Title I thought this Story would have a Painful Ending.

 

[Can_O_Tuna]

Grated bridges are all in your mind. They are no more difficult than normal asphalt, just a little different feel.

Earl

I had a problem with them on my 650 Yamaha way back when . When I got my first GS1100 I did not have near as much of problem with bridges or that wonderful "grooved pavement". More weight? Better tires?

I have to agree with you that it is all in your mind though, its just more pronounced with a smaller bike and if you a new rider it really feels WEIRD.

Cool for you Billy..... for not freaking out and letting the bike find its way.

BTW That looks like the longest grated bridge I have ever seen :shock:

 

[Billyboy]

I should've had a look at the odometer when getting on and off the bridge. It a long one all right! I dunno about it being all in my head. The bike was walking quite a bit. I just get nervous when I'm not in control. I was still weirded out, but kept breathing and praying. Think the 100 front tire walks more than a bigger one?
I'm definetly gonna have to invest in some rain gear.

So my wife is a great woman, and she really tries to make me happy. So she rummaged around in my toolbox for me and brought me what she thought was my spare shifter. She brought me a highway peg.:lol:

I bought a small visegrip and clamped it on, then safety wired it so I wouldn't lose it if I bumped it funny. Got my spare on when I got home.

 

[Dink]

Grated bridges do "feel" wierd,but a narrower tyre tracks better than a wider one, My Katana (Rest in Pieces, for now) had a 110/80 front tyre, and handling was "strange" it needed to be forced to lean and then held there, I recently changed the tyre to a 100/90 (standard size or as close as possible) and the bike was instantly transformed, no more bump steer,well at leas t a huge reduction, and it steered:shock: instead of needing to "manhandled" to do anything.
Gratings do "feel" wierd but it is due to the reduced contact patch, not really anything to worry about, just increase your sighting distances, because you need to be smooth and gentle whilst on gratings.
Dink

 

[Desolation Angel]

I have never been on a bridge like that. We seem to have enough concrete here.

Seriously, it would freak me out. Just going over the Royal Gorge suspension bridge (railroad ties as driving surface) was freaky. Look down and see between the slats hundreds of feet down into the canyon! It shivered me timber!

 

[earlfor]

Well, ya gotta give her an A+ for thought and effort anyhow.

Earl

So my wife is a great woman, and she really tries to make me happy. So she rummaged around in my toolbox for me and brought me what she thought was my spare shifter. She brought me a highway peg.:lol:

I bought a small visegrip and clamped it on, then safety wired it so I wouldn't lose it if I bumped it funny. Got my spare on when I got home.

 

[earlfor]

I believe the Royal Gorge is closer to 2000 feet. LOL

Earl

I have never been on a bridge like that. We seem to have enough concrete here.

Seriously, it would freak me out. Just going over the Royal Gorge suspension bridge (railroad ties as driving surface) was freaky. Look down and see between the slats hundreds of feet down into the canyon! It shivered me timber!

 

[jimcor]

I don't have any trouble going across those cheese cutter bridges, but I still hate 'em. I don't want to look down through the grating either.

 

[Billyboy]

Well, ya gotta give her an A+ for thought and effort anyhow.

Earl

Oh yeah! She was even trying to get the kids ready for school and all that stuff, so the fact that she rummaged through my parts for it got her some kudos. I just shrugged it off. I knew I could vise-grip it.

Good news: Now she thinks having a bike of her own would be cool!:-D

 

[relic-rider]

Yeeesh! I just read this thread yesterday and just so happened to be detoured onto one of those grated bridges today. My normal non-freeway bridge(still on my permit) was closed. It was wierd!!!! But I took your advice and kept it straight and easy. But the return trip I went another 2-3 miles to cross over another regular bridge. Good thing we have several bridges crossing the Mighty Mississippi. Good learning experience, but it still sucks. Can't wait til my Basic Riding Class in 2 weeks.

 

[airportcop]

Never been on one of those bridges. Sounds scary when wet. Relaxing is definitely the right idea though. Looks like a beautiful place to ride. Good rain gear is a must have. It isn't nearly as bad riding in the rain if you stay dry!

 

[Plasterdog]

Chicago's got a whole mess o' them bridges and every time I go down town and cross one, I'm thinking "don't panic, don't panic!" as I'm watching the "ever so qualified" cab drivers as they dart in and out. When they're wet they get real slippy, the bridges that is, the cabbies are just slimey.
There's also a couple bridges that are double deckers and when the EL screaches over you're head...what fun!

Hey Billyboy, you did exactly the right thing, relaxed and stayed up, well done.\\/

 

[Billyboy]

Thanks Dog!:-D

 

[DanTheMan]

Yeeesh! I just read this thread yesterday and just so happened to be detoured onto one of those grated bridges today. My normal non-freeway bridge(still on my permit) was closed. It was wierd!!!! But I took your advice and kept it straight and easy. But the return trip I went another 2-3 miles to cross over another regular bridge. Good thing we have several bridges crossing the Mighty Mississippi. Good learning experience, but it still sucks. Can't wait til my Basic Riding Class in 2 weeks.

Hey, I won't be there for your class, but I'll be teaching down there at Hennepin in September. Hope it all goes well for you. You've had lots of practice now, hope its all been good, I'm sure you'll pass! :-D

 

[Canada Dan]

I'm not sure how long you've lived in the area Billy Boy but the scariest thing about the Taylor bridge is the amount of welding thats done on the grating every summer! It's down to one lane lots to accomodate the welding crews.

Several of the guys from Grande Prairie say they ride across on the sidewalks! I've yet to try that - the handrail is quite low!

Dan.

 

[Billyboy]

I'm not sure how long you've lived in the area Billy Boy but the scariest thing about the Taylor bridge is the amount of welding thats done on the grating every summer! It's down to one lane lots to accomodate the welding crews.

Several of the guys from Grande Prairie say they ride across on the sidewalks! I've yet to try that - the handrail is quite low!

Dan.

I've been here for 11 years, and yeah, I've seen the welding. No way would I ride the sidewalk! Way too narrow a margain of safety. 6 inches one way and you mirrors are clipping the rail, 6 inches the other and you fall off the sidewalk onto the cheese grater. No thanks, I'll tough it out.