I don't like crossing bridges on my bike, but it's mainly because of the grating we have here in Chicago.

I have a fear of riding on rutted dirt surfaces. Or any rut-like surfaces (bridge grating, for example, or railroad tracks). I landed face-first when my skinny bike wheel caught a rut on a dirt path when I was 18, and it was bad. I can get fairly panicky. I just focus on a loose, yet secure grip on my handle bars. I say to myself, "you'll be fine", slowly, and repeatedly, until it's over.

Someday I'll go mtbiking, and get over it.

L.