Mackinac Bridge - YOOPER Ride

[Foozle]

Entering Michigan's Upper Peninsula over the Mackinac Bridge for GiG's YOOPER ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QknT4C5FuHI

This is only my second attempt at using GoPro footage (i.e., it's unedited) - so please bear with me.  I'm still learning.    (Excuse the wind noise, also).

The actual bridge crossing begins at approximately 2:30.

Terry

[Serk]

I really need to get up there some day, thanks for sharing!

(And the fastest color Valk too!)

Bet those metal grated areas can be fun in the rain!

[Wizzard]

I really need to get up there some day, thanks for sharing!

(And the fastest color Valk too!)

Bet those metal grated areas can be fun in the rain!

I have ridden them in the rain. It was not bad at all. I think its because of the density of the grates.

[old2soon]

        Only ever been over that bridge in an 18 wheeler. And Serk from one that was raised up in snow country the grating is so the vehicles passing over the grating continue to break off the ice that may form in the winter. Some of the bridges in chi town use a similar method. GOOD vid!  RIDE SAFE.

[msb]

Good video. I rode that bridge on my way home from Morgantown Inzane several years ago. The grates weren't too bad...I found the most difficult thing was keeping concentration over the full span, what with traffic and the tendency to gaze out over the water. Have a video clip taken of it somewhere with my Valk's a**-end in the frame all the way across, taken by one of my riding partners who was directly behind me...kinda cool.

[sandy]

I crossed it in ‘06. The paved lanes were closed so I had to used the grated lane. A bit creepy looking down 300 ft to the water. What fun!!

[cookiedough]

I would be a wimp and take the concrete side probably.  There is a smaller metal bridge over the Mississippi river hwy. 82 bridge from Lansing IA to just south of Desoto WI heading back down to Ferryville WI into Prairie du chien WI,   all metal and that was only say 80 feet above the river and maybe 100-200 yards long or so, enough for me.  Wife was freaking out on back but was not too bad but really have to not GAZE too much at the river pay attention to where you going ahead.  I just looked it up is called the Black Hawk bridge.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk_Bridge

I bet they change that name in 2024 or so once they put in a new bridge.  If in PDC area,  is a neat and scenic trip to go from PDC over bridge to Marquette IA then to Pikes Peak state park just south of town on top of the hill for scenic overlook, then head north to Harpers Ferry up to Lansing IA take metal bridge over head south to Ferryville, Lynxville, then to PDC again. 



I would worry that the metal grates would eat up my tires though but guessing no sharp edges on the grates right to cut into a tire?  

[Rams]

Some things ya just gotta do.  Crossing that bridge on a windy day helps complete the bucket list. 

Rams

[luftkoph]

The open deck road surface is for aerodynamics, it’s for stopping the deck from trying to fly, lessons learned from the Tacoma narrows bridge that fell.

[Oss]

well then Rams I successfully completed that part of the list

It was so windy even once I got to that town on the north end of the bridge that my butt was stuck to the RussellDayLong.  Had to park with the kickstand side facing the wind     when I went for breakfast at the little diner across from the docks

I do not know why they bother with the HIGH WIND WARNING SIGN  By the time you see it you are going whether you want to or not

The grating wasnt as spooky as I thought but yes the wind does come up thru it

[Jess from VA]

The trick with bridge gratings is to ride on them, but not look down at them.

Just another version of target fixation.

[Willow]

The grating may, probably will, make the front tire dance a bit.  The problem riders get into is trying to fight it.  Relax and ride it.  No problem.

For the rider that plans to ride only on the paved side, it's an exciting experience when one gets halfway up and they've closed the paved side for repairs.  

[Wizzard]

I grew up riding since I was 10 on gravel on 2 wheels. Driving on the grate is a little bit like it. You learn to feel it and just go with it. No problem at all.

[old2soon]

          The ride the grate thing-With Properly inflated tires.  RIDE SAFE.

[Foozle]

The last few posters accurately surmised my experience riding on the grated lanes.  The front tire tends to "swim" a little - but it's not violent or decisive (like getting in a rut) and you quickly get used to it.  Jess is probably wise not to fixate downward; the pattern could get mesmerizing (as shown in the video).  The audible hum only adds to this.

I tend to prefer the paved lane as it allows for more comfortable sightseeing.  I didn't let my eyes wander very long on the grated roadway - which also puts you closer to oncoming traffic.

On my return trip, traffic was lighter and I was able to video the crossing from the paved lane.  It offers a slightly different perspective, but obviously just repeats the same route.

Relatively speaking, the winds weren't too bad going in either direction - and we were able to get across at a pretty good clip.  In past years, I've ridden across when the wind actually put you at a slight angle.

It's always a memorable experience.

Terry

[Jess from VA]

Grate or not, tall bridges have the effect of giving some drivers/riders vertigo when they are able to see out to the vista, and way down below.

The 301 bridge over the Potomac (no grate) (VA to MD) has caused so many to have bad reactions that they offer a service (for a fee) to have your car driven over by someone else.









Not as grand as the Mighty Mac, but still impressive to cross.

It's got a heavy duty 4' retaining wall to stop cars from going over the side and to obstruct the view from cars, so I had to stand up on my floorboards while riding across, so I got the full vertigo effect.  

[skinner]

Thanks Terry it was nice to  relieve the experience

[F6Dave]

I rode the Mackinac Bridge in the early '80s on a rainy September day with the temp in the mid 30s. I'd ridden it before and had to ride the grating since the paved lanes were closed. Thankfully on that cold wet day the paved lanes were open.

Even though the center span isn't as long as others like the Golden Gate, the nearly 5 mile distance from shore to shore makes it one of the most impressive bridges I've seen. Years ago I camped in the Straits State Park under the North end of the bridge. The view of the lit up bridge at night is awesome.