Which is better – crossing a cattle guard at 8mph while climbing or at 39.7mph on the descent?
I think it’s best at slow speeds. My bike gets all hobbly-wobbly, the tires feel only half-inflated and I worry about falling over and disappearing into the grate who’s bars now seems to be more than 2 feet apart. Plus, you get for one short second, the barest idea of what it might be like to ride the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix.
All you get from zipping over them at 39.7mph is a brief, “Oh god, I hope this works!” moment and then ZZIIP, you’re done.
But enough of my opinion, you decide 
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I think it just depends on your personality. I’ve ridden over them at a medium pace… that felt pretty solid. What’s that say about me… hell I don’t know.
Here’s my real concern: What if the cows catch on that all they need is a bike to escape? I think I found the next idea for a Chick fil-A commercial.
There is a climb in Yorkshire – Cow and Calf 15% with a cattle grid. I have to say I prefer the descent, just don’t sit on the saddle…
Ah – a subject that I am an expert on.
Strangely – in France – these are called “barrieres Canadiennes” although I never heard this term growing up in Canada.
Note – the “nnes” ending means these things are Feminine – go figure!
They are everywhere in the Jura mountains – I prefer them going up – because unless I know it well – they are occasionally a bit dangerous at speed here.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/1874270178_29f1e9a491.jpg
About 20 years ago, they figured out that you can paint black and white lines and the cows will not cross them. I swear you can feel the paint when you go over them. Is it true?
Yeah, I’ve felt the paint. Not as much a butt-massage as the grates, for sure though.
I found no cattle grates in France, btw. Plenty of cows though. Maybe they’re better at fences than we are.