I was on a century ride over the week-end where I had to cross the Columbia River twice. I have never liked bridges, but this was terrifying to me. The first bridge (The Cable Bridge in Tri Cities, WA) had no shoulder/bike lane, but we were told we could use the sidewalk, which was separated from the traffic by a fence. OK, it was sorta narrow, and I sweated across it.

The second bridge (The Blue Bridge) had a separate bike/pedestrian lane. However, this bridge went up way higher over the water. The lane was wider than the sidewalk on the other bridge, but I was whimpering and really talking out loud to myself to get across. When we were at the highest point I was afraid I'd hyperventilate. All the way over it I would think--look out, you're going to go over the edge! And then the saner part would say, no way--the railings are too high. Then I'd think--oh, lordy, my wheel is going under the railing and I'm going with it. So how do you do it? Is there some secret? ( My hands are sweating just recalling the episode.)

Maybe it's in my family. Several years ago my sister and her husband rented bikes and rode over the Golden Gate. My sister told her husband she'd throw the rental bike in the bay before she'd cross it again. I'm not too sure how they got back.

Any help from my friends at TE??? Please???