Stranded at Work
01-13-22 | 06:13 AM
#27
2-Wheeled Fool
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 680
From: New Hampshire
Bikes: Surly Ogre, Brompton
I changed into my cycling gear, turned on my Garmin and walked out the door... CRASH! A thunderstorm started right as I was leaving.
I bicycle commute twice a week to work, three times if I can, but I'm stranded here at my office waiting for the lightening to stop. I've always prided myself on cycling in any weather except for 25mph+ wind or lightening. Fortunately, I don't need to deal with snow or subfreezing temeratures here in SE Florida, but I'm not going out there in an electrical storm. So I'm here with you folks until I don't hear lightening for ten minutes. My makeshift dinner tonight consists of 2 Nutrigrain bars covered in almond butter. It's not my choice of dinner selections, but it's not so bad, considering. My office assistant usually has chocolate hidden somewhere in her desk, but I'm afraid I'll eat all of it if I start on only one or two. It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not upset; I'm just killing time. I'm also done with work, having put in a ten hour day. It's been about 40 minutes, and I can still hear some thunder.
So do any of you have stranded at work stories?
I bicycle commute twice a week to work, three times if I can, but I'm stranded here at my office waiting for the lightening to stop. I've always prided myself on cycling in any weather except for 25mph+ wind or lightening. Fortunately, I don't need to deal with snow or subfreezing temeratures here in SE Florida, but I'm not going out there in an electrical storm. So I'm here with you folks until I don't hear lightening for ten minutes. My makeshift dinner tonight consists of 2 Nutrigrain bars covered in almond butter. It's not my choice of dinner selections, but it's not so bad, considering. My office assistant usually has chocolate hidden somewhere in her desk, but I'm afraid I'll eat all of it if I start on only one or two. It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not upset; I'm just killing time. I'm also done with work, having put in a ten hour day. It's been about 40 minutes, and I can still hear some thunder.
So do any of you have stranded at work stories?
01-13-22 | 02:11 PM
#28
Habitual User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9,928
Likes: 10,766
From: Altadena, CA
Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber
Think of it this way: lightning travels thousands of feet through the air which is a very poor conductor of electricity to get to the ground. A small bit of rubber or a bit of plastic isn’t going to stop it.
Carbon fiber is also conductive. I once felt the electricity of an approaching storm crackle through my fly rod high up in the Colorado Rockies.
Carbon fiber is also conductive. I once felt the electricity of an approaching storm crackle through my fly rod high up in the Colorado Rockies.
__________________
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
01-13-22 | 06:35 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 332
From: Treasure Coast, FL
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Supersix EVO 3, 2015 Trek 520, 2017 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, 2022 Moots Vamoots Disc RSL
When I was a GI, I was stationed in Tampa for a few years. I was into triathlons. I would run/swim/bike in any weather. I ESPECIALLY loved it when it was raining, because I was cooler and felt cleaner. Sometimes a good rain will cleanse your soul. Sometimes we need to realize the simple joys in life, and one of my simplest, yet most-satisfying joys would be to run or ride in the heat and all of a sudden a rainstorm bursts and cools me right off. So refreshing, so much fun! Lightning? Meh. If its my time to go, its up to God, and if he wants to direct one of those lightning bolts at me, then so be it. Honestly, rather than being stick at work, I would have called an Uber.
Last edited by Bassmanbob; 01-13-22 at 06:52 PM.
01-13-22 | 06:38 PM
#30
Habitual User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9,928
Likes: 10,766
From: Altadena, CA
Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber
I'm with you in the rain. When I ride in the rain, I sometimes suddenly realize, I've been cycling with a big smile on my face. For me, I think it has to do with Velo rule # 9. But I don't mess with lightening. Florida is the capital of lightening, and I've heard of too many stories of people getting struck.
Lightening is making something weigh less.
Lightning is the stuff that zaps you.
Sorry.
__________________
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
01-13-22 | 06:51 PM
#31
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 332
From: Treasure Coast, FL
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Supersix EVO 3, 2015 Trek 520, 2017 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, 2022 Moots Vamoots Disc RSL
01-13-22 | 07:59 PM
#32
Disco Infiltrator
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,516
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
I guess we owe you one after raking you for your not-plastic bike
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Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
01-13-22 | 08:24 PM
#33
Habitual User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9,928
Likes: 10,766
From: Altadena, CA
Bikes: 2025 Ritte Esprit, 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber
My posts weren't serious enough to get butt-hurt about anything. I'll go back to worrying about my plastic bike disintegrating in the sunshine or assploding after getting a scuff on the paint.
__________________
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
RIP 01/08/25...2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2018 Trek Procaliber SL Singlespeed, 2017 Bear BR1, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
01-13-22 | 10:35 PM
#34
Mad bike riding scientist
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 29,136
Likes: 6,180
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Metals are conductive…all of them. 95 of the 118 elements are metals that will conduct electricity. There are also 8 metaloids which can conduct electricity (kinda). Carbon is kind of weird in that is not a metal but it can be nonconductive or conductive depending on its crystalline form. Carbon fiber is graphite like and can conduct electricity pretty well. Ever heard of “arc lights”? The light is produced by an electrical arc between two graphite electrodes.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
01-14-22 | 06:20 AM
#35
2-Wheeled Fool
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 680
From: New Hampshire
Bikes: Surly Ogre, Brompton
Metals are conductive…all of them. 95 of the 118 elements are metals that will conduct electricity. There are also 8 metaloids which can conduct electricity (kinda). Carbon is kind of weird in that is not a metal but it can be nonconductive or conductive depending on its crystalline form. Carbon fiber is graphite like and can conduct electricity pretty well. Ever heard of “arc lights”? The light is produced by an electrical arc between two graphite electrodes.
01-15-22 | 03:39 PM
#36
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,230
Likes: 363
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bike commuted most of the 8 years we lived in Atlanta. Can only remember a couple of times having to call spouse for a car ride home due to threatening weather. One of those times she called me at work and strongly suggested I let her pick me up.
I was able to make it home on my bike the day of Snow Jam in January 1982.
I was able to make it home on my bike the day of Snow Jam in January 1982.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
01-16-22 | 11:59 AM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,296
Likes: 14,742
I'm with you in the rain. When I ride in the rain, I sometimes suddenly realize, I've been cycling with a big smile on my face. For me, I think it has to do with Velo rule # 9. But I don't mess with lightning. Florida is the capital of lightning, and I've heard of too many stories of people getting struck.
01-21-22 | 03:28 PM
#39
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 332
From: Treasure Coast, FL
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Supersix EVO 3, 2015 Trek 520, 2017 Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, 2022 Moots Vamoots Disc RSL
I once had to seek shelter at a Burger King for a half hour. They didn't seem to mind that I didn't order anything after I told them I was sheltering from the storm. Perhaps it would have been nice for me to purchase at least a cup of coffee.
01-24-22 | 09:13 AM
#40
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 101
Likes: 37
From: Texas
Bikes: All steel... Breadwinner, Ritchey, Soma, VO, etc.
We get a lot of summer storms in central Texas around June. I was on my way home in an absolute downpour and storm and about a mile away from home, the lightning hit a block down the road.
Had to stop to make sure I didn't **** my pants.
Had to stop to make sure I didn't **** my pants.
