Railroad tracks and my rode bike??

The first time I wiped out on my rode bike was during my first ride last weekend. I was just riding along and came up to railroad tracks, the same tracks I had just ridden over moments before. Well, this time I slowed down. Don't ask me why, dumb move. Next thing I know my front tire jerks sideways right into the track and I land, or skid rather on my right side across the pavement. Ouch! :( It wasn't bad, just a few scrapes, and thank goodness I was wearing my helmet or it could have been worse. Anyway, now I am petrified of going across railroad tracks. I have a 7 mile path that I love riding on when I just want a quick ride. Well, I have to ride over the tracks twice on this trail. Instead I unclip, stop, get off my bike and walk over the tracks then get back on and go. This is actually really dangerous because the tracks are located at two intersections. Should I just go for it and ride over them, or find a new path? On my MTN bike it didn't make a difference, but this bike is completely different.

BTW-I just did my first brick workout today and it felt fabulous!! 7 mile ride/1 mile run! :D

When you come to RR tracks on your road bike, approach them so you can cross perpendicular to the direction they are going. Don't try to cross at an angle or you can (as you found out) wipe out! It is possible to cross them going very slowly if you approach at 90 degrees.

Good luck! :)

I ride across railroad tracks on several of my routes. I have respect for these tire-eaters. When I cross the tracks, I grab my handle bars tightly so that I force the front wheel to stay where I want it. I go over the tracks at a 90 degree angle regardless of how they are set in the ground to prevent slipping into the groove. I do slow down a little. You'll get your confidence back. Don't criticize yourself. Falling on the tracks was traumatic. Ride on!
Barb

like the other gals said, go for perfect perpendicular. Like you are crossing a T with your bike track...

you can do it.

I will try the 90 degree angle. Fortunately I have tracks right by my house, so I can practice there first! It was rather traumatic but I know I will get over it with time and practice. I just needed some advice and encouragement. :)

During my rides in rural Michigan, I go over railroad tracks several times during every ride (including tracks in town). I agree with the responses about the 90 degree angle; it is crucial. I also have learned not to be afraid to go pretty fast over the tracks. Momentum can be your friend on a bike.

Yep, it's all about that 90 degree angle! Daughter and I both have hit the pavement on a set of track I have to cross everyday. :eek: They are real tire eaters crossing the road at about a 60 degree angle and are usually covered with sand and gravel. If there's no traffic I can swing into the road to straighten out my angle. If not I get off and walk across them. I always feel kinda wimpy walking across but it definitely hurts when you hit the ground. :o bikerHen

Another nod of agreement to the crossing at a 90 degree angle. Also find the spot in the road where the crossing is the smoothest. A friend of mine got two pinch flats at the same time when crossing RR tracks that went across the road and the tracks weren't level with the road. I could hear her hit hard and then a few seconds later...two flat tires. So make sure your tire pressure is correct if you know you're going over tracks.

Falling has got to be unpleasant but I wouldn't give up. Just keep working at it.

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Originally Posted by li10up

Another nod of agreement to the crossing at a 90 degree angle. Also find the spot in the road where the crossing is the smoothest. A friend of mine got two pinch flats at the same time when crossing RR tracks that went across the road and the tracks weren't level with the road. I could hear her hit hard and then a few seconds later...two flat tires. So make sure your tire pressure is correct if you know you're going over tracks.

Falling has got to be unpleasant but I wouldn't give up. Just keep working at it.

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Falling is very unpleasant, but the hurt goes away! I'm not giving up! :)

90 degrees is the most important. But also- don't go too slow over the tracks.

One other thought - as much as possible, unweight your bike as you cross at that 90 degree angle. Stand up and think of floating over the tracks and absorbing the shock with your legs, more than your upper body.

Annie

Wider tires can help some too. Tire pressure also helps. I usually hit railroad tracks as close to perpendicular as I can (which often is not very). I don't brake for tracks, but I do stop pedaling while I go over them. Easier for me to float over if *I'm* holding still. The bike does not need to be still :D

Practice also helps. There's a fair bit of track through downtown Madison, and a lot of it is at tough angles.

That's EXACTLY what happened to me when I crashed on the Tour de Kota. The tracks were at an extreme angle and I did swing wide to try to cross at a 90 degree angle... But I must have mis judged, because my tire jerked left (I think) and got caught in the tracks. I ended up with 8 stitches in a gash near my right elbow and two in a gash on my left knee. I'm still not sure how that all happened. :( Oh, and I broke my collarbone too. I think that I had too much stuff in my trunk pack and maybe the weight shifted and contributed to my injury. Who knows.

That was in June and I've only ridden 10 miles since. Maybe part of it has been paranoia, but it took awhile to heal and I was busy with wedding stuff. My wedding has come and gone...

Hopefully I can catch back up to that wagon!

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Originally Posted by Hammer

That's EXACTLY what happened to me when I crashed on the Tour de Kota. The tracks were at an extreme angle and I did swing wide to try to cross at a 90 degree angle... But I must have mis judged, because my tire jerked left (I think) and got caught in the tracks. I ended up with 8 stitches in a gash near my right elbow and two in a gash on my left knee. I'm still not sure how that all happened. :( Oh, and I broke my collarbone too. I think that I had too much stuff in my trunk pack and maybe the weight shifted and contributed to my injury. Who knows.

That was in June and I've only ridden 10 miles since. Maybe part of it has been paranoia, but it took awhile to heal and I was busy with wedding stuff. My wedding has come and gone...

Hopefully I can catch back up to that wagon!

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Wow! I'm glad you are okay now! Maybe I should consider some serious padding before my next ride! :D I cross railroad tracks in my jeep lately and I cringe! ;) I am sure you will get back on that wagon again and Good luck!

I've been known to unclip just one foot, and roll across with that foot ready to hit the pavement -- maybe even use it to boost myself along, if needed -- when I come to something like a badly placed railroad track or some other nasty road hazard. It's faster getting going again when I've passed the obstacle, but somehow feels a bit safer!

Karen in Boise

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Originally Posted by annie

One other thought - as much as possible, unweight your bike as you cross at that 90 degree angle. Stand up and think of floating over the tracks and absorbing the shock with your legs, more than your upper body.

Annie

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Just don't let up pressure on the handlebars. That's part of the reason I fell. The tracks were VERY bumpy and I took the pressure off to save my hands and upper body the jarring. Without that pressure the wheel just settled right into the track groove. :eek: Live and learn. :D bikerHen

I’ve been anxiously waiting since I posted this thread to go out and concur those darn tracks. :eek: But it’s been raining since yesterday and has hardly let up. The sun is supposed to come out tomorrow. Is it strange to daydream about riding your bike all day when you should be working? :o

. . . and, just so you know, they can be extra slick when they're wet! :eek:
bikerHen

yes, I nearly had a wet track undoing this summer. Just be careful out there! Tracks are a part of the landscape of the roadie, as are cars, gravel, nasty skinny tire eating drains (I still see too many facing the wrong way)...