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Dirtworks Canoe Bridge
Dirtworks on this weekend and am thinking about how to approach the infamous canoe bridge.
Anyone got any tips on how to ride across? I've checked out Pikey's video and he makes it look easy.......
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Don't start while someone is on there. If they fall you will watch them causing you to fall.
My plan is to stay off the brakes and just look at the river bank on the other side. That's the plan anyway
look ahead and don't stop pedaling. Try not to follow anyone too like Brian said.
I've tried and succeeded twice on the bridge, both times I've tried to keep a medium speed, keep pedaling and looking well ahead, don't look down or near your front wheel I have also done this twice and nearly rode off the edge both times.
Go for it, what could possibly go wrong?
John
how long is the crossing anyway..& wat happens if you fall....
Looks like this:
The water isn't salted (erm... I think) and not very deep so I wouldn't worry about that. I would be worries about falling on canoes though.
Best advice is to look far ahead and not think about it. You can dive along between 2 white lines on the road, right? While they are swaying?
look forward beyond your wheel, make sure there is nobody on the bridge in front of you, keep pedaling.
The only thing you need to be aware of is the planks, as their installed offset, can sometimes rise leaving a small lip in the centre of the two planks.
And if you do go in the drink its clear water with sandy bottom only about a meter deep (depending on the tide).
Just do it
Don't worry if someone is on the bridge you are racing! TTFU
Geez the basics lol
It will be low tide at about 3:30pm on Sunday as well
Drag your Front Brakes. Brakes gives you something to push against whilst pedaling but keeps your speed under control. Keeps your balance a lot easier.
I'd stay off the brakes as the planks get so slippery with sand on them
I fell in last year because I didnt have enough gear. Got the wobbles and splosh
You need enough gear to continue pedalling normally. Middle\middle I believe will be suitable.
I carried my bike back to bank and did it again
Someone shouted "more gear mate" and it was much easier second time
Cheers,
String
Everyone who I watched fall in last year ALL STOPPED PEDALING before falling in! Those who kept pedaling made it to the other side.
Sounds simple, it is simple, it works. Now go ride it!
as with almost everything, speed is your friend.
Commit, and fly along it. If you are going fast enough, if you do slip off, at least you will clear the canoes!!!!
The climb on the other side of the canoe bridge is the one to fear. I was crying for my muma last year on that climb lol.
Save a Gu Roctane (double caffeine shot) to help you up. Good luck everyone
Cheers
String
Grab your bike and practice riding up and down the street on the gutter edge....You'll get the hang of it after a few goes.....The edge been only 4 inches wide will give you a great sensation. By the time you hit the bridge it will feel like you could drive a bus across it. Good Luck!
Choice of ring: Middle/Middle
Keep it to yourself
All I can say is, attempt to ride the bridge! Last year, I was feeling really good up to the bridge, but as there was a long line up, I chose to wade - big mistake! The cool water caused every muscle in my legs to cramp up, and I'm not a cramper! The really dumb thing is I took my shoes and socks off before hand and due to cramping, I took about 15 minutes to get the, back on! Cramps were constant for the rest of the ride and a projected 6 hour finish blew out to just under 7 hours. Ride it..... somehow!
So, to cruise the bridge
Thanks folks, definitely having a go.
Hoping the weather picks up, I don't really fancy doing my first 100km in mud but if it's so, it's so.
agree with all of the above (particularly looking ahead and spinning!) it is really not as hard as you might think but would also add that you might want to consider dropping your seat a bit and unclipping (if you ride clipped in) to give you a bit more confidence that if things do go awry you can recover or at least not drown ...
I found the opposite - the cool water was a bit like an ice bath after exercise - helped drive some lactic acid out of the legs so that they felt better after wading across.
It was only about thigh high on me though. May be more difficult if you are shorter or the tide is till up. Looks like high tide will be just before the the elite get there (9-ish) with low tide at 3-ish (WF times), so depends how quick you are as to how deep it will be.
I left my shoes on so shipped a bit of sand, but with the road stretch after, you dry out pretty well before hitting the dirt again.
Whichever way you get across, it's still a bugger getting up Woomerah Range tho'.
Haven't attempted the bridge (or the event - yet) but if you're going to drag a brake, make it the back one not the front. Gives you something to push against with the pedals to balance the bike at low speeds.
It's what they taught us to do at the AMBC clinic I did this year and it works.
I'm going to attempt the back brake now...I've been using the front for years after being taught by some crazy canadians years ago riding wet slippery North Shore skinnies. New evidence from Hawkeye above suggest rear may work better and I'll have to experiment
Either way dragging a brake whilst pushing on the pedals constantly (ie pedaling but not fast) is the best thing I was ever taught for conquering bridges and skinnies.
Well - this back brake dragging is all well and good, but lets be honest....
...we all know we wont have any back brakes by the time we get to the bridge anyway!!
I never thought I would say it, but I'd quite like some old V-brakes for this weekend...
Maybe it's time to look up bikeexchange for a clunker
I still have my original 98 model KHS team hardtail with v-brakes and mavic wheels. Might be a bit small for you though.