I'm bored with tunnels. Let's talk about bridges.

youll be fine on the bike i go over that bridge in my lorry with a 16"6' trailer most days never feel unstable, just watch out for idots changing there minds which toll booth they want at the end! hth, rhys

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Ed

Is it scary?

No.

Thank you for the reassurance, peeps

I didn't realise that there are side walls, so you can't see how long a drop it is over the edge - it's the crosswind I don't like. On the M5 Sunday I had my camping stuff on the back of the bike, it was very gusty, I hate being blown around the road, especially at speed.

I'm off to the mountains Thursday week, can't wait

Seriously tho Ed, if you relax your arms to almost floppy it will help with the wind - well I find it does. I'm always nipping up and down bridges here in London, fair enough they're not so long, but you always get some crosswind, and relaxing the arms helps.

I used to instinctively hold on tighter, but I think it is counterproductive to do so. Well either way, this tip did me a world of good.

OMG I hate the Dartford Bridge - have only been over it a few times , but it always seems to be really windy, and something about the design makes you feel like you're going to get blown off the edge and into the abyss below....

Funny cos I have no probs with riding in very windy conditions on motorways, etc. Maybe it's the fact that the bridge just seems to rise into the sky forever and it's really f-ing high!

PS. that said I have always made it over safely so maybe it's all in my head

Originally Posted by Fizzy Fish

OMG I hate the Dartford Bridge - have only been over it a few times , but it always seems to be really windy, and something about the design makes you feel like you're going to get blown off the edge and into the abyss below....

Funny cos I have no probs with riding in very windy conditions on motorways, etc. Maybe it's the fact that the bridge just seems to rise into the sky forever and it's really f-ing high!

PS. that said I have always made it over safely so maybe it's all in my head

Just what I wanted to read.....

[timwilky]

I find the howling gales when crossing the Thelwall and Barton bridge bad enough.

But the worst side winds I have ever experienced are when I followed Quiff back from the kielder/borders run a few years ago after his incident. Coming down from Shap the winds were blowing us off the motorway. So bad we had to stop and eat expensive pie

[Swin]

always nice to have an excuse to stop and eat expensive pie though

[pookie]

Once you are over the bridge make sure you go to the manned booths as the auto coin operated ones dont recognise bikes and you'll end up waiting for someone to come over and let you out. The manned ones are left to middle from memory. Oh an the bridge is fine as there are usually loads of vehicles to cover you..the tunnel is great on the way home

*Positive mindset kicks in* I will not be beaten by a bridge or by a gust of wind. It's a challenge and I am going to win.