Mt. Hope Bridge Question

[newrider13]

In several weeks I'll be taking my bike down to the Newport area and I plan to take Route 114 (and as a result) the Mount Hope Bridge.

What is the condition of the bridge/road surface?

Is the bridge frequently subjeced to high winds?

[aldend123]

It's pretty windy, yes. But if you want to get to newport, you have to cross one of several bridges, all of which will have a chance of wind. The shortest is Rt 24's, however, I wouldn't be worried about the Mt. Hope unless there's some serious advisory-worthy wind going on.If memory serves me right, they just repaved it. It's got beautiful views if you can ride with your head turned It does have some expansion gaps. But you're over-thinking this Thinking ahead is good, but nervous is not.

However, the subsequent section of 114 through Middletown, and many of the roads in downtown newport are disgracefully bad. Also, beware that people dart all over the 2-laned section of 114. No signals, they don't look very well etc. You are invisible, and they will run you over just to make the next light. Burma Rd is a nice diversion that runs parallel to the middletown section of 114 and has some wonderful views of the bay.

[fineout]

i havent been on the mt hope bridge in a while but i go over the newport bridge every once in a while on my bike, the Versys is really tall so im pretty succeptible to winds and it still is never that big of a deal on either of them.

[Duffy21690]

Burma is a must if you are heading into Newport. Very tempting to speed on but keep in mind it is patrolled by MP's.

[Duffy21690]

Ocean Drive is also in very nice shape right now for the time of year. Not much sand and pretty free of traffic.

[newrider13]

Thanks for the collective information.

In a month or so a friend will be picking up his first bike from the Middletown area and taking it back up to the Seekonk area. I said that I would ride down and back with him and am trying to figure out the best route for two newer riders.