can I legally/safely train on this 'hill'?
#1
commu*ist spy
Thread Starter
can I legally/safely train on this 'hill'?
I have a 100 mile ride/race in a month, and I want to get a little more serious, and maybe eventually do a cat 5 race without getting dropped badly. This bridge (deemed tallest in the state of TX) seems perfect for me to go to town... However, they're each oneway highways, and one of them doesn't have a shoulder. So if I were to do intervals, I would probably go back and forth on the one that does have shoulders, meaning I would have to ride counter-traffic on the shoulders. I couldn't find any state law that prohibits this... But more importantly would it be a safety concern? The shoulders on both sides are 6' wide, easy. I was thinking I could climb opposite to traffic, go back down with traffic, and repeat.
Comment: rainbow bridge, Port Arthur, TX; the bridge I'm talking about is on the left.
Comment: rainbow bridge, Port Arthur, TX; the bridge I'm talking about is on the left.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Logan, QLD ,Australia
Posts: 784
Bikes: Trek 4300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a 100 mile ride/race in a month, and I want to get a little more serious, and maybe eventually do a cat 5 race without getting dropped badly. This bridge (deemed tallest in the state of TX) seems perfect for me to go to town... However, they're each oneway highways, and one of them doesn't have a shoulder. So if I were to do intervals, I would probably go back and forth on the one that does have shoulders, meaning I would have to ride counter-traffic on the shoulders. I couldn't find any state law that prohibits this... But more importantly would it be a safety concern? The shoulders on both sides are 6' wide, easy. I was thinking I could climb opposite to traffic, go back down with traffic, and repeat.
Comment: rainbow bridge, Port Arthur, TX; the bridge I'm talking about is on the left.
Comment: rainbow bridge, Port Arthur, TX; the bridge I'm talking about is on the left.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Groves, Texas
Posts: 136
Bikes: Schwinn Sport Tourer, Dawes Lightning Tourer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've never seen anyone ride the Veterans bridge so don't know how legal it is. Missed the sentence under the pic and thought you meant the Rainbow. That would be utter sheer folly!
Call PAPD and/or DPS and ask. Probably wouldn't hurt to call Bridge City PD also.
Call PAPD and/or DPS and ask. Probably wouldn't hurt to call Bridge City PD also.
#6
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
Being Texas and knowing someone that has A LOT of issues with local PD's I don't know if I would even want to try it. I definitely WOULD NOT want to be riding against traffic. I don't even like doing that when there is a marked contra-flow bike lane.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,951
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
12 Posts
Can't say anything about the bridge on the left, but I'd ride the one on the right if it was legal and the traffic was generally as sparse as pictured. It looks like the two bridges are one way in opposite directions?
#8
commu*ist spy
Thread Starter
right, the bridge on the left is slightly shorter, and has shoulders on both sides, just like an interstate. But it's 1 way.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Another thing to think of about that bridge: how high are the barriers on the side?
The wind could be quite nasty once you get up there, even if it's pretty calm down on the surface. And if an 18-wheeler goes by you closely at 50+ MPH, the wind blast off it will be pretty strong. Is the side barrier low enough so that if you get knocked into it hard you'd go over it?
The wind could be quite nasty once you get up there, even if it's pretty calm down on the surface. And if an 18-wheeler goes by you closely at 50+ MPH, the wind blast off it will be pretty strong. Is the side barrier low enough so that if you get knocked into it hard you'd go over it?
#10
commu*ist spy
Thread Starter
I'll just bring a parachute! But no, the wall goes up to my pelvis when I'm standing, and I'll bike with enough clearance and awareness to not fall over.
#11
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wherever u see a fred, I am there.
Posts: 1,068
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Doesn't seem like it'd be too bad when traffic is light. Going against traffic shouldn't be an issue, as long as there are no intersections/exit/entrance ramps. Should be legal if it's not a limited-access rd. and there are no signs prohibiting bicycles. Could always call the highway dept. or similar. NEVER ask a cop for legal advice- they often give wrong info.
#12
.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Maybe go out there several times to see when the traffic is light. Around here, it's right after rush hour so around 7PM. I wouldn't have a problem riding anywhere as long as the timing is right.
__________________
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
#13
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,066
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 293 Times
in
216 Posts
Unless the century ride you are training for has lots of hills, I don't see a reason why your training needs to include hills.
Do intervals by keeping speed, cadence, and/or heart rate above some level that makes it a good workout for you. Another option would be to go out on a windy day on a flat and quiet stretch of road parallel to the wind and do intervals into the wind and use the tailwind on the return trip for a rest.
Do intervals by keeping speed, cadence, and/or heart rate above some level that makes it a good workout for you. Another option would be to go out on a windy day on a flat and quiet stretch of road parallel to the wind and do intervals into the wind and use the tailwind on the return trip for a rest.
#14
commu*ist spy
Thread Starter
oh yea... Imma bike myself stoopid dis weekend.
I want to practice climbing hills because it simulates high wind conditions. And I want to not only get comfortable riding long distance (which I'm stil doing), but also build myself up to be fit enough to race.
I want to practice climbing hills because it simulates high wind conditions. And I want to not only get comfortable riding long distance (which I'm stil doing), but also build myself up to be fit enough to race.
Last edited by spectastic; 04-26-13 at 10:47 AM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: North Attleboro, MA
Posts: 260
Bikes: Surly Steamroller
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I know that the Claiborne-Pell Bridge that provides access to Newport, RI is fairly steep and long, and you can bike on that. I wouldn't under most circumstances, it's heavily traveled and far steeper than it looks. The RI DOT has the information for that does Texas have a DOT website you can check for info?
Clairborne Pell Bridge....
Clairborne Pell Bridge....
#17
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
The OP wrote that the shoulders are 6' (6 feet) wide, not 6" (6 inches).
#18
Senior Member
You couldn't find any state laws that prohibited riding against traffic??? Didn't look too hard?
#19
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
#22
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 29,978
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Liked 1,538 Times
in
1,047 Posts
#23
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Of course laws vary.
Generally a bad idea to ride against traffic on a shoulder.
Generally a bad idea to ride against traffic on a shoulder.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Yikes! I've driven over the bridge on the right back when it handled 2-way traffic. That was scary enough for me.