General Cycling Discussion - Afternoon Thunder Storms.

What do you guys and gals do when Afternoon ThunderStorms Pop up? When Im 10 miles out and a storm comes up. What should I do? Remember Im on a Rails to Trails bike route. No cover from storms. :( :eek:

I rode in pouring rain and hail for 10 miles this past Monday.
Kick back and enjoy the ride if it's just water. If there is lightning find cover.
...and don't forget to dry out your bike afterwords. I personally poured like a 1/4 cup of water out of the frame after my Monday ride. Oh and lube it up again if needed.

Three choices:
Seek shelter off the trail!
Pack raingear!
Pedal faster!

I just continue riding as normal. For all the scaremongering about lightning, your chances of actually being struck are extremely remote. I, for one, have far greater dangers on every ride that have nothing to do with the weather conditions.

I just continue riding as normal. For all the scaremongering about lightning, your chances of actually being struck are extremely remote. I, for one, have far greater dangers on every ride that have nothing to do with the weather conditions.

Somehow, I have this feeling that the reason so few people are struck by lightening is because so few are out in the middle of a thunderstorm - and even fewer are riding a bike at the time.

Somehow, I have this feeling that the reason so few people are struck by lightening is because so few are out in the middle of a thunderstorm - and even fewer are riding a bike at the time.

Possibly. On the other hand, I've ridden through a lot of them as I actively seek that type of weather. I'm still waiting to get struck.

It's an evaluation of risk.

Think about how many things get hit by lighting in a given storm. Think about how many things there are to be hit in the area covered by a given storm. I think a cyclist is pretty safe. Based on "pretty safe," you then make an evaluation of how intense the storm is? what other options do you have? how much of a hurry are you in?

I've ridden with lightning around many times. On two occasions, I've ridden to farm houses and waited for a while under an overhang. It's never been so bad that I've wanted to go hide in a ditch or anything, but it could happen. Many times, I've avoided routes that make me the highest thing in the area.

I ride in the rain. I dodge lightning. I'm crazy fast like that.

Possibly. On the other hand, I've ridden through a lot of them as I actively seek that type of weather. I'm still waiting to get struck.

just make sure not to be wearing your homemade tin foil space custome on these thunderstorm rides. :p

I just continue riding as normal. For all the scaremongering about lightning, your chances of actually being struck are extremely remote. I, for one, have far greater dangers on every ride that have nothing to do with the weather conditions.


I think Chris has a valid point. The chances of a direct hit are very remote. The chances are better that you will encounter some residual from a near by lightning strike. The current can travel great distances over the wet surface still causing damage. The key is to make sure you are NOT the tallest object in the area, and you are NOT an easy path to ground. You are at far more risk from flying debris and falling branches.

NOAA has some intresting reading. This page has some interesting links. click here (http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s895.htm)

I have been stuck in the rain twice this week on my commute. Most of the time, I enjoy riding in the rain. What concerns me more than rain and lightning is cars. I think I have more close calls when it's storming than when it is dry.

At the beginning of a storm, I do worry much more about pedestrians and other cyclists who run for shelter at the expense of elementary safety precautions. They are ready to run through a cyclist... or a big truck to save a few precious seconds of wetness.

Then a bit later, I mostly care for huge potholes -- receiving a full wave sideways is a good way to loose your balance --, branches falling on the road and car drivers who don't drive slowly even when visibility is nil.

I rode in pouring rain and hail for 10 miles this past Monday.
Kick back and enjoy the ride if it's just water. If there is lightning find cover.
...and don't forget to dry out your bike afterwords. I personally poured like a 1/4 cup of water out of the frame after my Monday ride. Oh and lube it up again if needed.


I just finished a wonderful 35 mi ride in the rain.....but water in the frame? How? Where? How do you get it out?

I think Chris has a valid point. The chances of a direct hit are very remote. The chances are better that you will encounter some residual from a near by lightning strike.

Actually, the point I was making is that I consider heat-exhaustion a far greater danger than being struck by lightning. That is something I have had some close calls with in the past. At least if there's a storm, it might be raining, which can reduce the possibility of that, although certainly not eliminate it. Then of course, there are your usual morons in cars -- although strangely I seem to have fewer problems with them in the wet too. Probably because there tend to be fewer of them around.

I think Chris has a valid point. The chances of a direct hit are very remote.
And if it DOES happen you'll never know it.

I just finished a wonderful 35 mi ride in the rain.....but water in the frame? How? Where? How do you get it out?
Ya know I do not exactly know how it is getting in my frame. I rode in pouring rain last year for about 2 hours and had better than a cup of water in the frame. For the life of me I can't think how I get so much in the bike(Trek 5200). It ticks me off.
I pull out the seat tube and take out the bottle cage bolts and what doesn't drip out evaporates.

I might be completely wrong, but doesn't having them non-conducting tires help at all? Electricity needs SOME kind of circuit, right?


Even still, nothing beats riding through those tstorms. Just realize you're going to get absolutely disgusting, and that cleanup will take a little longer... good times.


cheers

matt

I might be completely wrong, but doesn't having them non-conducting tires help at all? Electricity needs SOME kind of circuit, right?


NO, The tires do nothing, even in a car it's the body of the car that channels the Electricity Around you if you are not touching the body or anything metal that's connected to the frame.

If you are on a bike it's going to be a big shock!

WHat I wonder about are twisters! I don't live in an area where that happens, but I always wonder about that. This is the time of year for tornadoes. Apparently about a quarter of them happen in May.

WHat I wonder about are twisters! I don't live in an area where that happens, but I always wonder about that. This is the time of year for tornadoes. Apparently about a quarter of them happen in May.

I live in an area where tornadoes are pretty rare, but we have had them pass close to the city during really wicked storms. Being a very intelligent person I decided that during one of these storms was the absloute best time to go for ride. My higher than average inteligence led me to believe that, since I could not see past my glasses I should take them off. I am legally blind without my glasses and can't really see much more than a few feet in front of me, and now I could not see past them! And then before I knew it I rode full tilt into a pickup truck, I remember seeing my brand new bike that I just payed $1600 sliding down the road, and then watching my fingers get runover. I got up and told the dude not to worry, I had not the slightest thought of suing, and went to my buddies place down the street to examine myself and my bike. All my fingertips were bleeding from little pin pric holes whers the blood had been squeezed out by the tire. The funny thing is that was my worst injury, I guess I bounced off the side of the truck or something. It makes me laugh to think of the crazy stuff I did.

And as more proof of my higher than average inteligence, after this and many other worse biking accidents, I still refuse to wear a helmet.

And the best part was that there was so much water on the road that I did not even get a scratch on the bike that just put me in the poorhouse.

Even still, nothing beats riding through those tstorms. Just realize you're going to get absolutely disgusting, and that cleanup will take a little longer... good times.



The best part of all is when you get so totally saturated that you can't possibly get any more wet than you already are. Once you reach that stage, and no longer care about getting wet or cold (cold doesn't happen around here anyway), it becomes extremely liberating.

I just continue riding as normal. For all the scaremongering about lightning, your chances of actually being struck are extremely remote. I, for one, have far greater dangers on every ride that have nothing to do with the weather conditions.


The only arguable good point for riding aluminum bikes. :roflmao:

Well, lightning is an appreciable risk, it just is not advertised that well. In the year 2000, 51 people were killed by lightning in the USA. 80% of them were men. I believe men are more likely to be outside, at risk, during a thunderstorm and maybe men are less likely then women to take cover.

In central FL we get lots of press coverage on shark bites and alligator attacks. A guy was killed locally when fishing by lightning and it got little notice.

Of course, having said that, I usually just ride through rain and even lightning. I get on a bike and I don't want to stop even if it might be the smart thing to do. It is a good thing that I ride in the mornings and most thunderstorms are afternoon things.

Also, a lot of lightning strikes seem to happen on golf courses, possibly explaining why men get zapped more often.

What do you guys and gals do when Afternoon ThunderStorms Pop up? When Im 10 miles out and a storm comes up. What should I do? Remember Im on a Rails to Trails bike route. No cover from storms. :( :eek:


I will take cover rather than ride through an open area in a lightning storm. If you're out in the open, you're out in the open. But I wouldn't stay there.

Being the tallest thing in an area below an active lighting storm is a non-casual danger. It's unlikely you'll be hit, yes, but it's worth making the effort to get out of there.

Riding among trees, power poles, houses, and the other accoutrements of the roadway is reasonably safe.

I got a question? If I'm riding near a tree (over its root base) when it gets struck by lighting. Will I get the shock of my life? Is there enough rubber on the tires to insulate me? I've read reports of several cows being killed at once this way while they were standing next to a tree.

This might be a good question for the "Myth Busters" so we can watch Adam and Jamie get the shock of their life. :D

I got a question? If I'm riding near a tree (over its root base) when it gets struck by lighting. Will I get the shock of my life? Is there enough rubber on the tires to insulate me? I've read reports of several cows being killed at once this way while they were standing next to a tree.

This might be a good question for the "Myth Busters" so we can watch Adam and Jamie get the shock of their life. :D

Yes I believe, moisture considered in air. Flash burn and possibly shrapnel injuries if the tree explodes.
Also it is A>C so its up\down really fast, could go up you,the bike-over to the tree.

All water in the path is instantly boiled (the noise)-tree limbs wet, explode.

The tree is taller-easier? conductor for the path. It not you.
Versus open field with metal \golf.

You would wreck bad. Klien would possibly make the move, post a brag.
A SS'r that JUST happened to be out mtb for the first time in 3 yrs- odds-would get toasted fer shure.
He would be eventually o.k, but the messenger bag might have a burn hole or 2.
Those guys don't get breaks, they make em. God bless you guys.


Thank you Mr.Science.

From my limited knowledge of lightning.

Don't brush off the lightning danger so quickly-----a few years back a guy was riding one of the urban trails here---the lightning strike blew his helmet to pieces and basically cooked his brain in his skull---needless to say----he was killed on the spot---now there's a nice little plaque on the side of the trail where it happened.

The funny thing about that day is that is was mostly sunny with just FEW clouds---and maybe a few drops coming from them---and he still got nailed. Point is---it doesn't have to be a really bad storm for lightning to occur.

Dear Mr.Science-
We request info as to the temp of lightning.
Thankyou.
Jef.

Dear Mr.Science-
We request info as to the temp of lightning.
Thankyou.
Jef.

approximately 30,000 K.

you're welcome.

Dear Mr.Science...um, can you relate that to something I understand.
Thankyou.

Dear Mr.Science...um, can you relate that to something I understand.
Thankyou.

Yes, A source described and I quote "The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000 degrees F hotter than the surface of the sun!"

Very, very hot.

You're welcome.

It keeps me cool. I just keep riding.

I won't start a ride in rain but I won't run from rain when already riding.

I got a question? If I'm riding near a tree (over its root base) when it gets struck by lighting. Will I get the shock of my life? Is there enough rubber on the tires to insulate me? I've read reports of several cows being killed at once this way while they were standing next to a tree.

This might be a good question for the "Myth Busters" so we can watch Adam and Jamie get the shock of their life. :D

You might well get shocked indirectly if you are too close to the object struck directly by lightning. The strength of the current is attenuated by the ground, but it's possible still to be injured or killed in this way. This is the situation in which rubber tires/shoes/ground mattress can help reduce the shock to you, unlike a direct lightning strike against which those things are completely ineffective.

If you're out in the open and can't get in-- if you're camping or something-- and lighting starts you should be close to the tallest object nearby, but not too close. Sit on your butt or squat on your feet, rather than putting your head on the ground.

I got a question? If I'm riding near a tree (over its root base) when it gets struck by lighting. Will I get the shock of my life? Is there enough rubber on the tires to insulate me?

The rubber will definitely not insulate you. In fact, the rubber in car tires is not enough to insulate you. The reason you are safe in a car has nothing to do with the tires. Air is also an insulator and almost as good as rubber. The bolt just travelled through 2 miles of air, so a few inches of rubber doesn't mean anything. It's also been said that you are in a Faraday cage (for metal cars, not so true for convertables or fiberglass/plastic cars). But the Faraday cage only works with static electricity, when a bolt of lightning hits, it is moving quite rapidly. So the real reason you are safe in your car is something known as the "skin effect". Lightning behaves like a short burst of of very high frequency alternating current. The skin effect has to do with the magnetic field of the AC pushing the current to outside of a conductor. Thus the current flows on the outside of the car and into the ground. Since the current would be flowing on the outside of your bike, and you are on the outside, you are not protected by this effect.

It poured rain on Tuesday. I couldn't wait to go out in it. Had the time of my life as we're in the middle of a very bad drought in Chicagoland!

Come on, the lighting just jumped across the air from a cloud in the sky, you think a inch of rubber is going to phase it?

Just ride fast. Crazy fast.


I might be completely wrong, but doesn't having them non-conducting tires help at all? Electricity needs SOME kind of circuit, right?


Even still, nothing beats riding through those tstorms. Just realize you're going to get absolutely disgusting, and that cleanup will take a little longer... good times.


cheers

matt