Originally Posted by joeprim
...I like the induction theory - the spinning wheels and steel going through the electromantic field. Joe
+1 Electricity is not
that mysterious (ball lightning being the exception). Those lines probably were 50KV or more. Atmospheric conditions were probably just right (wrong) for your bike to act as a generator while cutting the electro-magnetic lines of force about the power lines. If your wheels were rotating at the right (wrong) frequency, the phase of the current generated may have left your bike with a polarized electrical charge. The arcs between the bike and your body were trying to neutralize the difference in electrical potential between your (non-conductive) body and the (conductive and charged) bike. Once your body acquired a charge, it caused the arc between you and the (grounded) guard rail.
Since the electrical transmission and generating industry considers these fields "non-harmful," they aren't interested in making any changes. In fact, making such changes would require a
radical change in the way electricity is transmitted in the country.
It is an undisputed fact, however, that electro-magnetic fields ALWAYS exist around power lines of any voltage. In fact, the power companies have had to go after homeowners whose property is in proximity to such lines and who place transformers in the field of the line to obtain free electricity!
In the future, just ride under the line(s) at a faster or slower pace than you did last time. Although this won't prevent the problem, it should significantly minimize it.