Two years ago, I crossed a bridge riding the NC over the Ohio River in southern Illinois, US Highway 45. That bridge ride scared me so badly I refused to return back over it. I went out of my way to avoid it on the return trip.
I pride myself on being able to safely handle surfaces like sand, gravel, and metal bridge decks. I’ve ridden many metal grate deck bridges, including those on the Mississippi River and on the Alaska Highway. I even crossed the long, tall (but paved) Confederation Bridge off Prince Edward Island in a rain/wind storm, and the Mackinac Bridge in the wind. But this US45 bridge was so high, so long, and with the tires so wiggly, I nearly freaked out.
On another trip I’m driving a Ridgeline truck and pulling an enclosed motorcycle hauling trailer, and I’m thinking well, that can’t be so bad. Wrong. The bridge has a maximum width limit of 8 ft, and I later discovered my trailer was just three inches less than that. I had a really stressful moment when a boat trailer passed me coming the other way. I thought sure I was going to lose a trailer fender as we passed.
So, I’m back here today with the NC, but I am not crossing that bridge.
If you’re ever riding near Brookport, Illinois or Paducah, Kentucky, I invite you to take the Scary Bridge challenge!
I pride myself on being able to safely handle surfaces like sand, gravel, and metal bridge decks. I’ve ridden many metal grate deck bridges, including those on the Mississippi River and on the Alaska Highway. I even crossed the long, tall (but paved) Confederation Bridge off Prince Edward Island in a rain/wind storm, and the Mackinac Bridge in the wind. But this US45 bridge was so high, so long, and with the tires so wiggly, I nearly freaked out.
On another trip I’m driving a Ridgeline truck and pulling an enclosed motorcycle hauling trailer, and I’m thinking well, that can’t be so bad. Wrong. The bridge has a maximum width limit of 8 ft, and I later discovered my trailer was just three inches less than that. I had a really stressful moment when a boat trailer passed me coming the other way. I thought sure I was going to lose a trailer fender as we passed.
So, I’m back here today with the NC, but I am not crossing that bridge.
If you’re ever riding near Brookport, Illinois or Paducah, Kentucky, I invite you to take the Scary Bridge challenge!