Author Topic: Steel grate things on draw bridges (Read 3910 times)

Ceej · « **on:** May 15, 2006, 08:17:38 PM »

Are they as scarry as I think they will be?

I have to cross one for the first time on my route this weekend, should i be worried? Should i take any special precausions?

kpier883 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2006, 08:24:05 PM »

I used to cross one on U.S. 31 near Montgomery, Alabama. Never liked it. Definitely be careful in the rain. More recently I cross a short one on a fun ride by Lake Purdy near Leeds Alabama. Best advice I can give is from a 38 special song -

Just Hold On Loosely, but don't let go
If you cling to tightly,
you're gonna lose control
Your baby needs someone to believe in
And a whole lot of space to breathe in..

Really though, it is going to move around under you some but will hang in there if you don't try to correct too much.

scondon · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:12:36 PM »

It can certainly be unnerving the first few times. It might feel like the bike wants to squirt out from under you but it will still just go straight if you let it. Great advice kpier, I'm LMAO that you connected 38 Special to the topic. The lyrics fit the situation precisely.

Relax, don't fight it, keep to the center of the lane to allow more wiggle room in traffic. Allow lots of room up front for braking if it's wet, that way you can ease on the brakes and not slip. Once you get used to the sensation of drifting back and forth it becomes much easier and less worrisome.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:55:11 PM »

Yeah,that's how I feel on some of these grooved highways out here in California.They make these grooved lanes that are great to keep cars from hydroplaning but you take your old 750 on them with the pizza cutter wheels and you think you have a flat tire or something.The first time I got out on one of these roads,I was jazzed...Yeah bikes runnin' great ...let's go....got up to like 70 and it scared the #$%* out of me.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2006, 09:57:35 PM »

Hi Freddy, what the heck are you guys talking about, ? please explain.

rab1dwolf · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:27:42 PM »

I've got a short one near my house(non drawbridge), which ive always hated even in my cars.

btw mine is single lane traffic and everyone has to take turns...and its pretty heavily wooded so its hard to see the other side. I'm always waiting for a head one collision there...and add to that theres railroad tracks that are raised only 6 feet after the bridge.(makes a good ramp for going airborn)

but i digress.

they arent too bad just point the bike where you want to go and have a good solid approach and let it do its wiggle thing and try not to worry....

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:29:08 PM »

You ever have one of those dreams where you are flying or just falling....... Ride normally, don't hammer the brakes, watch for wet weather AND DON'T LOOK DOWN and you will be fine.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:30:06 PM »

scondon · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:30:42 PM »

Quote from: samcr750 on May 15, 2006, 09:57:35 PM

Hi Freddy, what the heck are you guys talking about, ? please explain.

Some bridges in the states have a steel mesh grating rather than a concrete roadway. You can see right through it to the water below. The raised mesh pattern catches the tire tread pattern and makes the bike weave back and forth which can be scary as #$%*e if yer not prepared.

Who's Freddy

mrbreeze · « **Reply #9 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:34:55 PM »

Whats up Sam the Man? Talking about the grooves they put in the highways that throw you all over the damn road.Don't know if they do it on your side of the pond but they do it here.It supposedly keeps cars from hydroplaning in the wet weather but plays havvoc on our old bikes.Anyone else noticed this or am I just imagining things?Most roads I travel are Ok but I am am finding more & more large 4 lane highways with these stupid ass grooves.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:41:06 PM »

Thanks Sean/Fred sounds like the ramp onto the Ireland and Isle of Man ferries.

Riding through a disinfectant bath when we had the foot and mouth outbreak in 01, then trying to ride up the ramp was scary

Sam.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:43:02 PM »

Quote from: scondon on May 15, 2006, 10:30:42 PM

Quote from: samcr750 on May 15, 2006, 09:57:35 PM
Hi Freddy, what the heck are you guys talking about, ? please explain.

Some bridges in the states have a steel mesh grating rather than a concrete roadway. You can see right through it to the water below. The raised mesh pattern catches the tire tread pattern and makes the bike weave back and forth which can be scary as #$%*e if yer not prepared.

Who's Freddy

Mr Breeze

my American football buddy.

scondon · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2006, 10:45:24 PM »

Quote from: mrbreeze on May 15, 2006, 09:55:11 PM

Yeah,that's how I feel on some of these grooved highways out here in California.They make these grooved lanes that are great to keep cars from hydroplaning but you take your old 750 on them with the pizza cutter wheels and you think you have a flat tire or something.The first time I got out on one of these roads,I was jazzed...Yeah bikes runnin' great ...let's go....got up to like 70 and it scared the #$%* out of me.

They just repaved a section of my daily commute. I come out of the valley after work, four lanes turn to two so everyone can squeeze through the two lane tunnel that lets out into a nice long open "sweeper" S turn with a georgeous view of the sun setting low over the bay. I usually burst out of that tunnel like a rocket, jump in to the two empty lanes to the left and enjoy the temporary freedom of open lanes at full acceleration. First time I did this on the newly paved road I had just recently completed some front end work and thought the damn thing was coming loose. I dropped speed and pulled to the right so fast you'd think there were red lights flashing behind me. Bike checked out OK and it wasn't until the next days commute that I figured out what was going on. BASTARDS! That used to be the best part of any work day

mrbreeze · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2006, 11:07:15 PM »

OK Scondon...maybe you know what I'm #$%*in' about.Grooves in the road that are paralel with the tires.You won't notice in a car but you'll think you have a big prob. on the bike.Hey Sam...go Oakland Raiders!!!!!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #14 on:** May 15, 2006, 11:09:20 PM »

It's not on over here in the summer, do they not play ?

mrbreeze · « **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2006, 11:31:37 PM »

Hey Sam...they start pre-season in August and then the regular season in September.They say that baseball is the American pastime but I have to say that football is the place to be.Every since they started the Super Bowl,there ain't no way that baseball comes close.So how's the racer coming along?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #16 on:** May 16, 2006, 01:41:30 AM »

I've found that the ribbed pattern of some front tires seem to aggravate the wandering feeling going across these grates as well as raked concrete surfaces that seem to be popular now when they repave.

cb650 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:05:10 AM »

If someone wants to post it for me I can send them a cool pic of this grating. I took it going over big mac last summer. Last time I tried to post a pic it wouldnt let me. Its on my laptop anyway that is in its case.

Terry

Gordon · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:19:53 AM »

Slightly off-topic, but still somewhat relevant:

There's a, roughly, two mile section of I-70 here in Denver that I ride fairly frequently that's topped with the despised grooved cement. It's always caused me a small amount of distress while riding it on my 750 with Avon Roadrunners (front and back). The bike gets that typical "floating" feeling to it.

But lately I've been riding the 550 fairly often, equipped with the Avon Speedmaster ribbed front tire, and I have no problems at all on this same section of highway. It's always been said that the ribbed tires are worse on grooved pavement, and it makes sense why that would be, but this has not been the case, so far at least, in my experience.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:23:51 AM »

Quote

I took it going over big mac last summer.

Definately one of those "don't look down" situations if heights bother you. Stay in the right-hand lane.

cb650 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2006, 04:33:49 AM »

I wish there would have been a ship under when I took it.

Terry

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2006, 05:54:14 AM »

My wife and I get to the U.P. at least once each summer. It is very strange to stick your head out the window, look down and see an ore carrier 200+ feet beneath you.

cb650 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2006, 03:02:08 PM »

I posted that pic in my album in the gallery.

Terry

ElCheapo · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2006, 03:16:07 PM »

Quote from: mrbreeze on May 15, 2006, 09:55:11 PM

Yeah,that's how I feel on some of these grooved highways out here in California.They make these grooved lanes that are great to keep cars from hydroplaning but you take your old 750 on them with the pizza cutter wheels and you think you have a flat tire or something.The first time I got out on one of these roads,I was jazzed...Yeah bikes runnin' great ...let's go....got up to like 70 and it scared the #$%* out of me.

SoCal roads I do know. I know anything under 80mph around Oceanslime will leave you feeling like a slot car. Scarry bunch of roads as far as I am considered. This is the area I learned to ride. The Pacific Coast Highway, something I will never do again if I can help it - bumper to bumper at 100mph.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2006, 03:21:17 PM »

Quote from: cb650 on May 16, 2006, 03:02:08 PM

I posted that pic in my album in the gallery.

Terry

Can't find it Terry

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Author Topic: Steel grate things on draw bridges (Read 3910 times)

Ceej

ElCheapo