If someone knew the "reason" why they rode those bents as they went up, it would be nice to share with us, who don't.....
Jim --
I imagine they rode the bents because it was easier and faster than shimmying up a post. They had to connect several girts before the bent would stand there on its own, so they rode up it in place in order to be in position to make the connections, rather than bothering with ladders or scaffolding or any of that sissy stuff.
