raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Yep it catches a few, I used to go that way on my route from Enderby/Narborough to Mallory Park back in the 80's (too old to go playing in it like I did in the 60's and 70's though)
Fording
- Thread starter Richard A Thackeray
- Start date
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The one round here that catches cyclists out is Plough Lane near Cobham. Often underwater...
View: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarflondondunc/2198883997
Seevio
Guru
- Location
- South Glos
You appear to have shared every photo that you've ever taken.
Back on topic, thanks to this thread, I have now spent way too much time watching vehicles going through Rufford Ford. It's strangely compelling.
StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
I've been up and down there quite a few times. Fortunately, never like that…
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
Many years ago I was on my way to Centre Parks - the one on the East side of teh pennines
The route we chose was blocked for some reason and there had been a LOT of rain recently
We ended up trying lots of routes to try and get through (pre sat nav times) and ended up at a ford - not an official one just a tream that had overflowed over the road
We had no idea how deep it was but it 'looked OK' and we lived near a ford and were used to going through them
Still - too risky!
But then someone else came along with the same problem
We ended up tying his tow rope and mine together and tying his car to the back of mine and I edged carefull into the flooded road - pretty deep for a normal car but worked out fine - the other car moved forward with me ready to pull me backwards if I stalled or it got too deep
Then he came through with me slowly keeping in front of him
All worked out fine but I wouldn't do it nowadays!
The route we chose was blocked for some reason and there had been a LOT of rain recently
We ended up trying lots of routes to try and get through (pre sat nav times) and ended up at a ford - not an official one just a tream that had overflowed over the road
We had no idea how deep it was but it 'looked OK' and we lived near a ford and were used to going through them
Still - too risky!
But then someone else came along with the same problem
We ended up tying his tow rope and mine together and tying his car to the back of mine and I edged carefull into the flooded road - pretty deep for a normal car but worked out fine - the other car moved forward with me ready to pull me backwards if I stalled or it got too deep
Then he came through with me slowly keeping in front of him
All worked out fine but I wouldn't do it nowadays!
Not my photos - I just found a picture (well album) online
Yep, always best avoided on a bike after heavy rain - or anytime really given the state of the underlying road (although in fairness that covers most roads in Surrey too....)
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
There's a ford next to the bridge over the Darent at Eynsford in Kent. I think the ford is mainly for big vehicles and tractors that won't fit on the bridge.
Once I was on my bike and stopped for a snack on the other side from this picture when I heard a commotion behind me. A car, that could easily have fitted on the bridge had driven into the river and become stranded. Quite why they ignored the bridge I don't know. At the time I decided that going over and taking a photograph would have been cruel, but I regret that now.
As this google picture shows, the river can get a lot higher
Once I was on my bike and stopped for a snack on the other side from this picture when I heard a commotion behind me. A car, that could easily have fitted on the bridge had driven into the river and become stranded. Quite why they ignored the bridge I don't know. At the time I decided that going over and taking a photograph would have been cruel, but I regret that now.
As this google picture shows, the river can get a lot higher
figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
I spent many a happy hour around and in this ford in my youth (also recently featured in your bike next to a ford and name that road). One summer's day I was generally hanging about with some friends when a classic 2-seater came along - probably a MG Midget or similar. Anyway, probably egged on by us they proceeded to accelerate as they approached the ford creating a very satisfying wake, but resulting in the car coming to a halt in the middle of the water. The floor of the car was below the water line so when they opened the door to get out the car filled with water. We laughed! Then we helped push them out.
A few minutes later along comes their mate, in a similar vintage of car. This driver slowed cautiously as they approached the ford but the first guy shouted over to him "come on through, it's fine" at which the second driver accelerated into the ford.... déjà vu all over again. We laughed, as did driver number 1 and we all helped push them out.
A few minutes later along comes their mate, in a similar vintage of car. This driver slowed cautiously as they approached the ford but the first guy shouted over to him "come on through, it's fine" at which the second driver accelerated into the ford.... déjà vu all over again. We laughed, as did driver number 1 and we all helped push them out.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
No, that would be a great shame and deprive us of many hours of mindless entertainment.
PS. Who are they going to have a head on with? A surfboarder?
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Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
It's great fun while watching to award 'nobber points'. 5 if they stop in the middle, 3 if they make it out but stall and 2 if they stall down the road. Extra points can be awarded if they get thoroughly soaked.
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
What if they stop in the middle and the car gets washed downstream??
The one I used to live near sometimes became impassable to anyone without a tractor and with a functioning brain
One year we went that way shortly after a lot of rain - but long enough for it to have gone down - to find a small car 'parked' by the bank (i.e. in the river) about 20 yards downstream from the ford
that has to be worth a 10
cougie uk
Guru
A car going the other way ?
Have you not seen the one where the driver went down the river as he lost his bearings ?
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Never seen two cars in the ford at the same time but I guess not impossible.
No, never seen any driver loose his bearings, but I've seen a few loose their balls.
OP
OP
Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
The ford at the other side of the River Wharfe, from Bolton Abbey (near Storiths) catches a lot of riders out, heading north it's at the bottom of a quite steep hill, and on a bend......
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1389910
Scroll down to Bolton Abbey; http://www.wetroads.co.uk/northyorkshire.htm
View: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10216554782534326&set=a.10216365748248587