I found a bridge today- Yup, climbed it.

[dantama]

For the new guys, I'm an egotistical guy who likes to find challenges for myself and my Nomad; just to see if what I think I could pull off is accurately perceived. Today I was riding past a bridge I've been past before, but today I saw it in a new light and wondered if I could climb it.

After a little looking, I decided I could and did it. Here are the pictures.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/dantama/motorycle%20posts/bridgecropped.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/dantama/motorycle%20posts/IMG_3031cropped.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/dantama/motorycle%20posts/IMG_3026cropped.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/dantama/motorycle%20posts/IMG_3016.jpg


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/dantama/motorycle%20posts/IMG_3017.jpg


The first time I climbed it, I could only take pictures from the seat, no way to get it on the sidestand without putting it in the river. On the second try, a guy walking by took some pics for me.

[taranis]

Ok, I have to ask... once you got it up there, how did you back it down (besides "carefully").

[skeeter]

Just couldn't get past the upright could you?

[blowndodge]

Dan............................................... ........STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ells]

I suspect the full helmet would have been a hindrance to visibility, since seeing both feet at the same time would have been kind of important, and wouldn't have done you much good in the drink!

Once again, glad you didn't call me to join you http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[coacha]

Ok everyone, I am starting a "Get Dan Some Psychiatric Help" fund. Anyone that would like to contribute, please PM me. YOU are nuggin futs brother.

[dabull]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks....did that upright scratch up ur crash bar and right saddle bag??

[cactusjack]

Hmmm, that would have to be the South Platte River, somewhere near the Auraria Campus, maybe?

You are certifiably nuts, Dan... I couldn't bring myself to do that.

[glwilson]

Dan; OK you someday will exceed your limit...

but don't let that stop you from trying to out-do yourself; or taking pictures or videos of each attempt.

One day something won't work and we (KawaNow) will need the photo/video to distribute for "sale" so we can use the proceeds to fund a national ride in your honor (of course).

We will have a "great-time" in your honor.

Dan; all kidding aside... somehow these experiences must help you (or provide benefit) when counseling your clients... right?!

I mean really... tell me there is a reason... ;)

By the way... you are not leading the group I am riding with in Custer!!!! :)

[davidjones1]

Dan this is one of those times when a guy says "hold my beer and watch this sh!!!t" http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif if I were 20years younger ................NO not even then. be careful I would like to meet you in Custer! not have a group prayer over you. ;) http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
ride safe.

[Netnorske]

Dan,
I'm sure if you ask nice....Trip will give you back those missing cards so you will once again have a full deck.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif! Didn't Evel Knievel do all this sh*t a long time ago... ;)! Be careful Danno...very careful.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif. Of course....keep the pics coming....you know what they say about why people go to Nascar races right...???

[chainsaw]

Yes but, Evil did his on a Harley and crashed a few times.

[jmorrow]

Look out, Mt. Rushmore!!!!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[skeeter]

I have this morbid fascination and want to see what's next.

Dan, if you post these pictures around the office, your rate of successful intervention will go up significantly.
At least many will walk away thinking they never really had a problem in the first place.
You very smart man!

[rksaw]

Dan,
I'm with you...in spirit! ;)
We all understand that you take calculated risks and plan it out before you do it. But you can freak us out every once in a while. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif
Just keep the rubber side down, okay?
Rich

[cheriann]

OMG!!!! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!!

[dantama]

Hey guys, just remember that my wife doesn't know about all of these! On the concrete highmarking bridge, I accidentally left a picture on the computer desktop and got busted. She doesn't like it a bit. She knows what's in my blood, but keeps trying to convince herself that it's been extinguished.

So if you ever meet her, I'm just a middle aged touring rider :)

[Todd]

So Dan, What exactly DID your parents do to you in your early developmental years???

[dantama]

Ok, I have to ask... once you got it up there, how did you back it down (besides "carefully").



I knew it would be slick due to the severe angle and the surface texture. I knew from a cement bridge that the front tire won't hold you, so I was ready with the rear brake too. Going up the bridge is a piece of cake, but it really is difficult to be perched on something narrow and only put one foot down so that you can grab the rear brake too. Then with my left foot down, I eased off the brake about 6 inches at a time till I was back down and around the uprights.



Just couldn't get past the upright could you?

If the bridge was just an arch, no decking on top or uprights, I would have been up and over to the other side :)


I suspect the full helmet would have been a hindrance to visibility, since seeing both feet at the same time would have been kind of important, and wouldn't have done you much good in the drink!

Once again, glad you didn't call me to join you http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

I had my helmet on for the ride, but took it off and set it aside so as you said, I could see better. I was hoping to be able to get a side stand down, so i was going up the rivets on the right side and need to see clearly. Once I got up and set the side stand down (had to use my hand couldn't let off the rear brake, plus there would have been no place to put my right foot, it was on the edge) I didn't dare lean it over. It looked like it would be sitting on the edge of the beam, but there was no way to check without going for it. I had just enough good sense to not try without being totally sure.


eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks....did that upright scratch up ur crash bar and right saddle bag??

That brown upright was very difficult. I had to do a bunch of gymnastics there. Had to stop, lean to the left, turn the bars way to the left, go across the beam to the left, then turn back right. Just missed with the bag.


Hmmm, that would have to be the South Platte River, somewhere near the Auraria Campus, maybe?



As I was posting, I thought "Cactus will recognize this" :)
That is the Bronco's stadium in the back between the green beams.


Dan; OK you someday will exceed your limit...



My internal physics/mechanical limits meter is pretty accurate, but I keep needing more challenges. It's a disease and I keep building too much tolerance and need bigger and more. Going up the concrete under a bridge was enough last year, but now it isn't a challenge, so I need more.

I don't know where the end is, but riding around is so much more enjoyable when I see things and wonder if a bike could do that, and then stop and analyze it and do it, rather than continue wondering.

It's been in my blood since I was a kid. The older kids would be too scared to go down a dirt hill at a gravel pit, and would ask me to do it first. I didn't do it out of peer pressure. I'd look it over and compare the looks of it with previous hills that I had successfully done, try to analyze what would be different with this one, and when I decided that I knew how it would play out, I'd go for it.

So it's a challenge that I enjoy, makes life better ( I don't do well with wondering) and the egotistical side of me likes to post pictures of it.

Perhaps one day I'll overdo it and something that I expected to be one way will be different than I'm expecting. I've called it right since I was a 10 year old, but there could always be that time when I won't. In the mean time, I'll keep noticing things that will make me wonder......And I'll do a U Turn and go back and look it over :)

Thanks for indulging me you all :)

[darthvulcan]

...So if you ever meet her, I'm just a middle aged touring rider :)


Dan, middle-age guys are supposed to be PLAYING bridge, not... ;)

[dabull]

LOLROFL!!

[schoeney]

Dan, There is this arch in St Louis.....

[Yellow Jacket]

If Dan can find this bridge I bet he could ride over it. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Of course, he would have to get the "riders" already up there out of the way first! http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

Do not click on this link if offended by adult situation.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Redneck/p1.jpg

[davidjones1]

looks lke he would have enough room to go around them LOL.
ride safe.

[gghost]

Or over with a little speed. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[rlfaubion]

Oh Dan, there you go again! I might meet ya on the other side this time :)

[dank]

Dan, now you need to come to Michigan next. You can take this skill to the next level: We've got a 5-mile bridge and the surface of the support a biker would ride up is round in cross section! Now that get's you thinking, doesn't it. Unlike the others, I'll even ride with you and we can get a couple pasties and some smoked fish for lunch when we finish at the north end of the bridge in the Upper Peninsula. (But don't fret, I'll let you have all the glory and settle with doing the all important camera work.)

[socwkbiker]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2970382304_38384e6207_o.gif

[dantama]

If Dan can find this bridge I bet he could ride over it. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Of course, he would have to get the "riders" already up there out of the way first! http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

Do not click on this link if offended by adult situation.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff109/retsiem/Redneck/p1.jpg

bob, I'm a gentleman. I'd ride up to them, pause and wait for them to finish, then go on over the top :) It does look like a good bridge, and completely doable on a Nomad. I'd do it in a heart beat if i was confident that I wouldn't get arrested.


Dan, now you need to come to Michigan next. You can take this skill to the next level: We've got a 5-mile bridge and the surface of the support a biker would ride up is round in cross section! Now that get's you thinking, doesn't it. Unlike the others, I'll even ride with you and we can get a couple pasties and some smoked fish for lunch when we finish at the north end of the bridge in the Upper Peninsula. (But don't fret, I'll let you have all the glory and settle with doing the all important camera work.)

dank, getting someone to do the camera work is always the hardest part. I'll catch you in Michigan sometime :)

Hey - you shouldn't have any problem dumping that bike someday.

[jamiep24]

Alright, you can stop puckering-up now.... Where's the picture of the Nad in the river? I think there's something between bravery and being nuts and you're way past both. But those are some awesome pics.