In order to get to one of my favorite riding spots, I have to cross a stream. It is a gap of about 10 feet. The planks you see are about 12 feet long. I walk on one plank while I push the bike along on the other one. It would be a disaster if one of the planks snapped while I was crossing. Can any carpenters out there comment on the likelihood of that happening? The planks are weather treated for whatever that is worth.
Thanks for any input.
Posted: 09:16 am Oct 17 2011
by gsa102
Those should work ok, but I would test them fairly frequently, by setting them on a cinder block at each end and bouncing on them hard. I would like something more substantial for myself. Maybe a bridge 3 planks wide with two 4x4s underneath for support, all tied together.
Posted: 10:07 am Oct 17 2011
by zomby woof
I would pull them back, prop them up, and make a jump. I'd feel safer jumping that 10' than going across those boards
Posted: 11:21 am Oct 17 2011
by SS109
Unless they are 2x12's I wouldn't dare cross them walking let alone riding but that's just me. Why not actually build a small bridge? Using some 2x12's, stand them on their sides and add 2x4's to the top making it roughly 2 feet wide and then you can ride across safely. Put a brace across the bottom about every 3ft and you would be good to go.
Posted: 01:19 pm Oct 17 2011
by Fatherof2
SS109 wrote:Unless they are 2x12's I wouldn't dare cross them walking let alone riding but that's just me. Why not actually build a small bridge? Using some 2x12's, stand them on their sides and add 2x4's to the top making it roughly 2 feet wide and then you can ride across safely. Put a brace across the bottom about every 3ft and you would be good to go.
SS,
They are 2x12, but I think you are right........ I need to build something safer. I will go to Home Depot and get some supplies.
D.
Posted: 01:34 pm Oct 17 2011
by KarlP
I'm not a carpenter but .......
I've crossed worse.
I think you are more likely to fall into that cold looking stream walking across, by the way. Focus on the other side and go!
The problem with bridges is the more effort you put into making a nice one the more likely some big old log is going to come washing down stream and take it out.
I saw a couple of those teeter-totter style crossings on a you-tube video. That would be fun and would keep the weak willed out!
Posted: 02:25 pm Oct 17 2011
by scheckaet
KarlP wrote:I saw a couple of those teeter-totter style crossings on a you-tube video. That would be fun and would keep the weak willed out!
Posted: 04:43 pm Oct 17 2011
by Mr. Wibbens
12 inches is wider than most trails we ride
Why wouldn't anyone ride it?
You can stiffen them up by putting a stud right down the middle of each on the underside
fwiw, I've been using the same non treated doug fir 2x8 as a ramp for my bikes for the past 10 years
Posted: 04:45 pm Oct 17 2011
by rbates9
I load my bike in the back of a F350 by riding up a 2x10. The tail gate is about 50" high and the board is about 8'6" long so it is at a pretty good angle. No problems yet.
And like was said before, I think I would rather ride across than walk. At least if you fall that way it will be over before you know it started!
Posted: 04:59 pm Oct 17 2011
by Fletch
just stack them and ride it. If you fall off you're just paying some dues.
Posted: 04:59 pm Oct 17 2011
by diymirage
i would put one on its side and screw the other on top of it...sturdy as can be
but just to be sure, aproach it in 2nd and drop the throtle right on the edge to wheelie across, if it does go down you stand a half a chance of making it....and look cool doing it
Posted: 05:39 pm Oct 17 2011
by Mr. Wibbens
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Posted: 06:19 pm Oct 17 2011
by kawagumby
Just hit the boards at about 50MPH, they'll never notice the bike.
Ramps that angle up spread the load over a larger cross-section of the board and are shorter to begin with.
Those boards will break, sooner or later, guaranteed.
If you screw (like 10" on center) a 2x4 or better yet, a 2X6 stiffener (right angle @ center of board) under the board the bike will be on, it will carry the weight. You don't have to extend the 2x6 the full length, just within a foot or so of the drop-off. I'd do both boards so you don't get a bounce going that might make things tougher when crossing.
Keep any big knots topside of the stiffener (close to the board). Nice country!
kawagumby wrote:Just hit the boards at about 50MPH, they'll never notice the bike.
Ramps that angle up spread the load over a larger cross-section of the board and are shorter to begin with.
Those boards will break, sooner or later, guaranteed.
If you screw (like 10" on center) a 2x4 or better yet, a 2X6 stiffener (right angle @ center of board) under the board the bike will be on, it will carry the weight. You don't have to extend the 2x6 the full length, just within a foot or so of the drop-off. I'd do both boards so you don't get a bounce going that might make things tougher when crossing.
Keep any big knots topside of the stiffener (close to the board). Nice country!
Great advice!
This is exactly what I am going to do.
Jump it
Posted: 03:18 pm Oct 18 2011
by JohnPainter
I say cut those boards in half, cross brace the halfs to make a ramp, and jump that stream!
Posted: 10:20 am Oct 29 2011
by KDX4ID
This is how we do it in Cali. 12 inch trails, Klim Gear and all...
