Clockwork Thunderstorms...
#1
Thread Starter
recumbent bike advocate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Okeechobee. Florida
Bikes: Bacchetta Belladare, long wheelbase
Clockwork Thunderstorms...
Here in South Florida it's normal in June and July to see thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening many days. Well, I don't know what has happened, but they have just 'synced up' with my departure time from work this week.
It's like clockwork! 3pm, storms on the coast, not moving too much, 4pm, a little rumble of thunder way off, 4:30pm, check the local weather radar, and the thunderheads are rolling into Okeechobee. 5pm, I get on my bike and ride off into it.
By the looks of things this afternoon, I'll just stick around for a little while and see it they will blow on past in the next hour or so before I got out to get on my bike and ride home...
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
It's like clockwork! 3pm, storms on the coast, not moving too much, 4pm, a little rumble of thunder way off, 4:30pm, check the local weather radar, and the thunderheads are rolling into Okeechobee. 5pm, I get on my bike and ride off into it.
By the looks of things this afternoon, I'll just stick around for a little while and see it they will blow on past in the next hour or so before I got out to get on my bike and ride home...
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
#2
Yeah, as a teen in Tampa, I would ride west in the late morning/early afternoon and turn around and head back east chased by the thunderheads.
It has a lot to do with the difference on how the sea is heated by the sun versus how the land is heated by the sun. L.A. has a similar cycle, though it pushes smog instead of thundershowers.
It has a lot to do with the difference on how the sea is heated by the sun versus how the land is heated by the sun. L.A. has a similar cycle, though it pushes smog instead of thundershowers.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#3
I'm further north in Florida, but we have the dependable afternoon/evening storms too. Luckily with daylight savings time and the longer day, I can just hang out a little later before heading home. And it's still so hot that the water doesn't stick around on the roads too long either. I'm not a fan of when the lighting hangs around for a long time tho...
#5
Thread Starter
recumbent bike advocate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Okeechobee. Florida
Bikes: Bacchetta Belladare, long wheelbase
I was feeling really 'sporty' on Friday when I could ride home without getting rained on. Big wind out of the east was causing some trouble on part of the commute, but I didn't get rained on. You can really enjoy a ride on a hot day when you have been rained on the two days before!!!
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
#6
♋ ☮♂ ☭ ☯
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,902
Likes: 2
From: 40205 'ViLLeBiLLie
Bikes: Sngl Spd's, 70's- 80's vintage, D-tube Folder
I lived in West VietPalm for a few years, and if there is one thing I got from that horrific experience,
it was exorcising my discomfort with riding in the rain. It got to the point where some rain was pleasant.
Because there was no escape from it, I learned to embrace it, and all was good !
That mindset is useful because now it gives me the right to go all smug and sanctimonious on people when
extolling the virtues of alternative transportation and they reply with "Dont ask me for a ride to work on rainy days"
it was exorcising my discomfort with riding in the rain. It got to the point where some rain was pleasant.
Because there was no escape from it, I learned to embrace it, and all was good !

That mindset is useful because now it gives me the right to go all smug and sanctimonious on people when
extolling the virtues of alternative transportation and they reply with "Dont ask me for a ride to work on rainy days"
#7
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I lived in West VietPalm for a few years, and if there is one thing I got from that horrific experience,
it was exorcising my discomfort with riding in the rain. It got to the point where some rain was pleasant.
Because there was no escape from it, I learned to embrace it, and all was good !
That mindset is useful because now it gives me the right to go all smug and sanctimonious on people when
extolling the virtues of alternative transportation and they reply with "Dont ask me for a ride to work on rainy days"
it was exorcising my discomfort with riding in the rain. It got to the point where some rain was pleasant.
Because there was no escape from it, I learned to embrace it, and all was good !

That mindset is useful because now it gives me the right to go all smug and sanctimonious on people when
extolling the virtues of alternative transportation and they reply with "Dont ask me for a ride to work on rainy days"

#8
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914
We are getting thunderstorms here, which is unusual.
Yesterday a strike narrowly missed our home and I decided I would reeeeealy not like to be out biking on high ground in that.
Yesterday a strike narrowly missed our home and I decided I would reeeeealy not like to be out biking on high ground in that.
#9
kipuka explorer

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 2
From: Hilo Town, East Hawai'i
Bikes: 1994 Trek 820, 2004 Fuji Absolute, 2005 Jamis Nova, 1977 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36
(I'll admit I have less traffic to worry about dealing with in the rain than most people) hate riding in t-storms tho
__________________
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
Last edited by bkrownd; 07-15-12 at 11:18 PM.
#10
There's warm rain and cold rain. Warm rain is fun. Cold rain is misery.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: South Florida!
Bikes: Mercier Mini Velo, Rivendell Quickbeam, 80's Hampton Beach Cruiser
Im in TriCounty Miami area--got caught yesterday going to work AND coming home at 9:30 last night--the lightening was scary.
There is a shortcut but sometimes it is kinda dark--one of those warehouse like roads--was very lucky to see another rider--I followed him we parted ways at the bridge I said thank you--he said you are welcome!
Wish I had taken a picture of the lightening and of course my bike is lit up like a Christmas tree (two sets of Monkey lights).
The rain was painful-wasn't hail but those big drops that sting.
One commute is 8 miles one way another 24 miles (one way). Now I want a steel folder.
The Florida weather is unpredictable.
I must invest in some rain gear--arriving at work soaked is not fun and the building is cold.
I am desperate to find some rain gear that wont slow me down. I am also on the lookout for a nice all weather shoulder bag. I dont like pannies and racks or crates on the back.
Don't know what I am going to do but arriving soaking wet is not good.
There is a shortcut but sometimes it is kinda dark--one of those warehouse like roads--was very lucky to see another rider--I followed him we parted ways at the bridge I said thank you--he said you are welcome!
Wish I had taken a picture of the lightening and of course my bike is lit up like a Christmas tree (two sets of Monkey lights).
The rain was painful-wasn't hail but those big drops that sting.

One commute is 8 miles one way another 24 miles (one way). Now I want a steel folder.
The Florida weather is unpredictable.
I must invest in some rain gear--arriving at work soaked is not fun and the building is cold.
I am desperate to find some rain gear that wont slow me down. I am also on the lookout for a nice all weather shoulder bag. I dont like pannies and racks or crates on the back.
Don't know what I am going to do but arriving soaking wet is not good.
#14
It came time to pick up my toddler from preschool (she just goes in the morning) and it was pouring. I'm in Plant City, near Tampa. Sometimes I borrow my MIL's van if the weather is bad, but she wasn't home so off I went! I've got no rain gear at all. I put a hoodie in a plastic bag for the lil'un, which she wore on the ride home and didn't get wet too badly. I need a poncho, heh.
#15
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS







