Modern suspension bridges are probably the most spectacular bridges that we cyclists can experience. They cover the major estuaries of the UK - The Firth of Forth, The River Severn and The River Humber.
When opened on 1981, the Humber Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world, and remains the longest that you can cycle across in the UK.
It spans the estuary of the River Humber between Hessle on the North bank to Barton-upon-Humber on the South bank. The span is 4265ft and the two concrete towers are 508ft. high.
The cycle paths on it's extremities contribute to it's aerodynamic cross section which helps it withstand winds of well over 100 mph.
A scary ride if you don't have a head for heights.
The cycle path approaching from the South.
Of a similar design, the original Severn Bridge allows for cycling over it's 3240ft. span connecting England to Wales, but the later Prince of Wales Bridge does not since it carries the M4 motorway.
Such suspension bridges are not so fashionable now, being supplanted by stayed cable bridges where a multitude of cables support the deck direct from high towers. Since each cable supports only part of the load, it can be adjusted or changed if necessary. The second Forth Road Bridge and the second Severn Bridge are examples of this type of bridge, so no cycling on those.
Some of the redundant railway viaducts on the National Cycle Network, may date from a previous generation of bridges, but are no less spectacular. Most are made of stone or brick but our nearest (to Derby) is the Bennerley Viaduct which is constructed of wrought iron. This structure is not yet open to cyclists as remedial work is required after years of neglect.
The Bennerley Viaduct crosses the Erewash Valley near Ilkeston.
Here an example of a redundant brick railway viaduct now which now forms a link in the National Cycle Network. It crosses the Don Valley near Doncaster.
You might think that you are cycling on a road here, as you cross the River Esk near Whitby ...............
.........but you are actually 120ft up there on the Larpool Viaduct!
With views of the River Esk and Whitby Abbey (marked X).
The viaduct was opened in 1885 and carried a single line of the Scarborough and Whitby railway until 1965. During the construction two workers fell off the viaduct and both survived. It is now a grade 2 listed structure.
This live railway bridge crosses the Mawddach Estuary near to Barmouth and alongside is a bridge built for cyclists (and walkers).
This forms a vital link in the North /South coastal route.
If you cycle on canal towpaths you will occasionally ride across an aqueduct taking the canal across a river, road, or railway.
This is the nearest to Derby, taking the Trent & Mersey Canal over the River Dove at Clay Mills near Burton-upon-Trent.
You would hardly notice it, so here is photograph of it's surroundings.
On the left a concrete pillbox from WW2 built to defend the canal from German invasion forces and in the background the original Monk's Bridge which once carried the main Derby/Burton road over the River Dove. Now the A38 trunk road is carried on a modern re-enforced concrete bridge.
One of the finest aqueducts on the UK canal system is on the Lancaster Canal which crosses the River Lune a few miles North of Lancaster.
View from below on the river bank.
Of all the high level cycle routes, the Pontcysyltte Aqueduct crossing the Dee Valley in Wales must be the most spectacular at 1007ft. long and standing 126ft. high
The canal is contained in a series of cast iron troughs. It was designed by Thomas Telford and opened in 1805, truly a masterpiece of engineering, but the great man designed the towpath for the horses which pulled the barges in those days. rather than the bicycles we have today. Another scary ride if you don't have a head for heights.
Click
HERE for video
Thomas Telford FRS FRSE
1757-1834
Scottish civil engineer, architect and stonemason.
Designer of much of our canal system and it's engineering structures.
His was a world of horse drawn vehicles and boats, not of motor cars nor even bicycles.
Many of our cities were built on rivers, since the carriage of goods by boat was the best means of transport. Inevitably that created a need for bridges, and London is a good example.
To see a video about the bridges spanning the River Thames in London click
THIS
