I have to ride across that?!

[Mistercory]

Ok. I am new. Bought my bike about 2 months ago and its sitting under my deck. Have my permit. Waiting to get into MSF so I can hit the road.

I will be riding my bike to work about 3 days out of the week. The other 2 days I drive the cage so I can pick up the little dude from daycare since me wifey works late those nights-side note: any one know if they make toddler seats for a cruiser?...lol. Anyway on my way to work I have to cross two (2) drawbridges with the metal grates. Now when I'm driving the sedan across them there drawbridges I get that o so familiar drawbridge wavy sidewinder motion experience. It's always been a bit unnerving but in an exhilarating kind of way. What is it like on two wheels? Is it ok to switch lanes on a metal grated drawbridge when riding a bike if necessary? What about in the rain?

Thanks in advance for all of your responses.

[jonnythan]

It's the same on two wheels. Keep your handlebars loose. The bike will wander just like the car does, but if you let it do its thing instead of trying to overpower it and force it to go straight everything will be fine. It's a bit disconcerting, but remember that (especially in a cruiser) the bike really wants to just keep going straight and the steering centers perfectly when you let go of the handlebars.

Changing lanes is not that big a deal, but don't do it unless you have to.

As for rain... that's where it gets a little more dangerous. I've done it a couple of times, so it's not a death sentence, but be careful... and don't change lanes Keep the bike upright.

[flw]

I would be sure to ride it several times when your not going to work or any hurry, better slower the first few times so you can gain confidence. Then later a bit more speed.

When we new bikers are still training, it comes at the speed expense of others, just like kids in drivers education. Thats just the way it is, for saftey first to really work.

There is no "Saftey first" some of the time.

[Tower18CHI]

There's a line between slow and too slow on those things though. Chicago's full of them. If you go too slow, the sensation is multiplied. Go at a normal speed (or slightly lower, adjust to your comfort level) and the wobbling sensation will be reduced, not to mention last for a shorter period of time.

[Sev]

Actually, if you start off slow, then accelerate across it at a smooth consistant rate, and don't attempt to slow down or stop part way across you won't get any headshake/rattle at all. The acceleration keeps the front end light and stops it from bouncing around.

[flw]

Yes it is a bit similar to a "rough grooved surface" that wants to grab your front wheel at slow speeds. But increase your speed a bit and it gets much better.

[zed]

Just curious.
What bike did you get?

[Mistercory]

Honda Shadow 750. Made the mistake of buying brand new since I bought it before I ever saw this site and read all the great advice.

By the way no one seems to know anything about toddler seats for a bike?

[KarateChick]

Well, a lot of what everyone said... practice if you get a chance to and are not rushed or pushed, no sudden acceleration and no sudden snapping off the throttle either, a little disconcerting for the first few times but definitely doable. Just no sudden stops or braking (I almost dropped the bike when that happened) and let your bike make its way across.

Toddler seats on a bike, oh oh, I'm not getting into that one but use the search function about children and riding (how, when, etc) and there are a lot of ideas as well as viewpoints on that

[Mistercory]

Thanks for all the replies..
Hopefully I can get a chrome kiddy seat for the bike.....


ummm in case you were wondering i am kidding about a toddler seat.....
I've been practicing with him so he can hold onto my waist..........LOL