Is it safe to ride over railroad tracks?

Question

I was scoping out a new ride route yesterday, and found a nice one, but I'd have to cross over some really old tracks in two different spots. These are the old kind with only blacktop around and between the rails, not the new ones with the flat metal plates surrounding them. I think a mountain bike would be ok, but I'm on a road bike and am worried that I will either damage the wheels, get stuck in the space between the rails and the pavement, or both.

Answer 1

If your tires are high enough pressure, and you go over at 90 degrees, you should be OK.  "snake bite" is when your tire hits an edge, and (not having enough air in it) the rim of the tire and the hard edge make a double puncture in the tire.  This classically happens at train tracks.  Again, if you have high pressure tires, and fill them right, you should be OK.  Carry a patch kit (with big patch) the first time you do it, just in case.  

And especially on road tires, but actually with any bike, never be more than maybe 5 degrees off of perpendicular as you try to cross.  If the tracks cross the road at an odd angle, you will have to swing out into the oncoming lane, or over to the shoulder, to get the right angle on the approach.

See link below for angled tracks in one of the more commonly used roads to a major bike commuter / fun trail to see an example.  I have only snakebit there when I let my 85 PSI tires go to 25 PSI, so I deserved it.

Answer 2

I used to ride my street bike over tracks all the time, just take it kind of slow and keep the front tire straight to avoid getting caught in the rails. Or if your too nervous then just get off and walk it across.

Answer 3

If you do it properly, both you and your wheels will be fine.  Good advice here already, so I'll just add that 90 degrees is the smartest thing you can do, although if you have control over the bike it's not always critical that you approach them that way.  Be sure to do that while you're starting out, though.  

If the crossing is *really* rough, then you'll want to approach it slightly differently than just rolling across them....or you can always walk carefully over them if need be (note: if you're in rattlesnake country, be careful if you walk over rails or cattleguards.....experience speaking here.  lol).    

So if they're really rough, shift down to an easy gear that you can crank easily while moving slowly, and then roll into the crossing at a slow speed.  Raise your butt up slightly and get yourself centered on the bike...don't put *too* much body weight on the handlebars because if you get stopped by a bump you might lose control or pitch over.  But just roll into it slowly and centered, pedal the bike for power and keep firm control on the bars....you'll roll over some nasty stuff that way without pinch flatting or falling over.  Shifting to the easier gear is important, though...you don't want to stall out in a big gear that forces you to balance or fall over sideways.  

Also, be extremely careful if there is any moisture on the road, or even high humidity in the morning or after a rain shower.  Rails, painted lines, and manhole covers, etc. are absolutely treacherous with moisture....it makes that whole 90 degree approach pretty critical in that case.    :o)  

Watch out for raised bolts or splinters on the timbers, too.  

But yeah, you can ride those tracks just fine.  Give it a shot.   And remember there's nothing wrong with walking the bike over obstacles.  Better than bleeding!    :o)

Answer 4

Uh, get off the bike and walk it over...

Answer 5

Just cross straight over the tracks or walk your bike.

Answer 6

You do need to make sure you approach the rails as close to 90° as possible so as not to catch a wheel and go down.

Depending on how rough it is, it might also be advisable to "jump" the rails to avoid pinch flats.  

Answer 7

just make sure a train isn't coming. that's all I have to add to the advice you've heretofore received..