mackinaw bridge
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
RE: mackinaw bridge
Hi I,ve ridden over the bridge dozens of times, and I still hate it. The anticipation is much worse than the actual crossing. Don,t plan on riding the concrete and if you get too, what a nice surprise.
Just hang loose , let her dance a little, It feels like you,re on oil, But I,ve never even had a close call or real scare. You may let anybody that seems in a hurry ahead of you. Don,t fight the bars, just stay loose.
The view is incredibile, if you take the time to look. I,ve never went over 2 up so don,t now if thats different or not.
I ride a softail with a 21 front wheel ,so I thinkshe dances a little more than a big wide tire. I,ve never heard of anyone going down. just pick a nice pace and stay at it. The u-p and Wiconsin are my favorite destinations. Enjoy the trip
Just hang loose , let her dance a little, It feels like you,re on oil, But I,ve never even had a close call or real scare. You may let anybody that seems in a hurry ahead of you. Don,t fight the bars, just stay loose.
The view is incredibile, if you take the time to look. I,ve never went over 2 up so don,t now if thats different or not.
I ride a softail with a 21 front wheel ,so I thinkshe dances a little more than a big wide tire. I,ve never heard of anyone going down. just pick a nice pace and stay at it. The u-p and Wiconsin are my favorite destinations. Enjoy the trip
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From:
RE: mackinaw bridge
It's a beautiful ride.
If you are feeling the wind, and leaning into it, when you pass one of the pillars it will give you a start because it blocks the wind for a second, and the bike will dive slightly. Just be aware of it. It's not that bad. Do what everyone else said if you ride the grating. The bike will squirm around.
Just go with the flow.
And don't think "Yugo", or "Bronco". The only two vehicals that have ever went over the rail.
Have fun !
Hrlydave
If you are feeling the wind, and leaning into it, when you pass one of the pillars it will give you a start because it blocks the wind for a second, and the bike will dive slightly. Just be aware of it. It's not that bad. Do what everyone else said if you ride the grating. The bike will squirm around.
Just go with the flow.
And don't think "Yugo", or "Bronco". The only two vehicals that have ever went over the rail.
Have fun !
Hrlydave
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From:
RE: mackinaw bridge
Good advice from all here, I've been across twice, 2 up and pulled the trailer behind.
Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, just look ahead, relax and enjoy.
The joints where the bridge is spliced together is the worst part I think.
If you have a calm rider you'll be O.K.
Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, just look ahead, relax and enjoy.
The joints where the bridge is spliced together is the worst part I think.
If you have a calm rider you'll be O.K.
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: U.P. of Michigan
RE: mackinaw bridge
We ride across 5 or 6 times a summer and love it. Everyone has mentioned wind and that is an important consideration. Watch out for LACK of wind as you go by the two stantions. Can make you swerve the other way. Also there are two expansion joints at each end of the bridge and they are slick. Plan on riding on the grates as the have been repainting the bridge and closing the paved lanes for the last 4 or 5 years.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From:
RE: mackinaw bridge
It's a piece of cake just relax! The paved side was closed for repair back in Sept.06. Not sure about now. Did you ever ride dirt bikes? I's like riding in the sand. Just stay loose and have fun. I waved at all the on coming riders too.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 191
Likes: 3
From:
RE: mackinaw bridge
The last time I crossed it, we (2 up) were coming back from Canada in a thunder storm with 45 mph winds and of course the slow lane was closed. Riding the grates in the driving rain was fun. My wife and I took a little break to get out of the rain after getting across. Just relax, trust the bike and don't make any quick moves. If the sun is out, it will offer a wonderful view. The winds will get bad 4-5 miles before getting to the bridge if you are heading north. You will see the wind mills.
Enjoy your trip.
Enjoy your trip.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: Michigan/Florida
RE: mackinaw bridge
My wife hates heights. When she would ride on the back of my bike she would close her eyes all the way over the bridge. Well, now she rides her Sportster over it without any concern at all.. We have been over it quite a few times in the last few years and it seem that there is always work being done which forces you onto the middle (grated) lane. But ashas been mentioned here before, just take it easy with your speed and grip. Keep a good distance between you and the traffic in front of you so you can avoid sudden stops. You'll love it. enjoy
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From:
RE: mackinaw bridge
went over the bridge about 3 weeks ago. a lot of anticipation but it wasnt taht bad. my uncle and i went from chicago all the way around the lake in a weekend. hell i learned to ride in the rain crossing the bridge. mmmmm that jack daniels tasted good after words.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 38
From: Port Orange, FL
RE: mackinaw bridge
Each time my wife got a new bike, that was one of the first pre-requisites...cross the Mackinaw Bridge. Only, she does the grated part! Gets off on it big time, ridin' the grates. I do the cement. I've read a lot here about folks having some apprehentions about crossing the bridge. Just get on that motorcycle and do it. If you gotta think about that stuff then you're gonna worry about every type of pavement each time you strattle the beast. We've crossed the bridge in every kind of weather except a snowstorm. Once it was raining so bad we couldn't see 5 feet in front of us. Then we got to the middle of the bridge and rode right out of that wall of rain into pure sunshine. If you've ridden accross South Dakota in August on your way to the Black Hills in that wind, you can easily negotiate the bridge on a windy day. Don't listen to people that tell you not to look down. I don't care if you are afraid of heights...the view is so spectacular you will forget how high up you are and just marvel at this amazing architectural feat and want it to continue on forever. We were lucky enough to score a room in Mackinaw City this July for the 50th anniversary of the construction of the bridge. Looks like it's gonna be a blast. We're ridin' up from Florida for the deal. Man, get on your bike and do the bridge!