metal grate bridge?

larryb said:

there's a metal grate drawbridge that crosses a river within biking distance of my home. the other day, i rode across it without any problems. since then, i've seen pictures of riders who went down crossing a similar bridge in another state.

so i wonder,
who rides
and who walks
across metal grate bridges?

what's the prevailing wisdon/bs on these crossings?

Unfortunately, I think the rideability of open grate surfaces varies considerably with the individual spacing and pattern. There are a couple that I will always try to avoid. If I decide to cross one that I am unfamiliar with, I usually will only try it, in the dry, with no motorized traffic and with full expectation that I may go down. I have been more leary since a buddy of mine toasted his clavicle and wrist on one last year. It is amazing how quickly people smack the surface when it does bite them.

Funny enough, one short grate section that I frequently do take in traffic is not too far from you on the bridge on Route 50 coming out of Ocean City, MD on my rides down to Assateague from DE. I'm never crazy about it (even though its a small section) but one thing I try not to do is clench down too hard on the bars, and not to stare down at the front wheel. I guess that my wisdom is that walking a bit hurts your pride a fair bit less than broken bones...not that I always do the smart thing.🙄

To me, it would totally depend on the direction of the grating. If it is just the slickness of the surface that's the problem, as long as you make no big directional or speed changes everything is usually fine. If the grating is such that a wheel can get stuck in between, and there is no way to ride at a proper angle to avoid this, I would walk it. I would rather walk away with all my bike and personal bits in proper order. Good luck.