Cycling in Thunderstorms
#2
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
I usually wait them out, day long thunderstorms are rare in the deep south where I ride most. They usually come in cells that come and go fairly rapidly. We just had a huge thread on this not to long back...
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=Lightning and https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=Lightning
Aaron
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=Lightning and https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=Lightning
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 2010 Kona Dr. Dew, Moose Bicycle XXL (fat bike), Yuba Mundo V3
Thunderstorms are the one type of weather I will go far out of my way to avoid riding in. Rain? No problem. Sleet? I can deal. Snow? You can't ride a Rochester winter without riding through snow. Wind speeds higher than the temperature? Been there, done that.
Thunderstorms? I'll wait. The amount of electricity in my body right now is just where I like it, thank you.
Thunderstorms? I'll wait. The amount of electricity in my body right now is just where I like it, thank you.
#7
Today there was a thunderstorm. Traffic was backed up, the freeway was closed at several exits, there was massive flooding at the overpasses, and people's cars got dinged up from the hail that fell on them.
I took the bus home and stayed dry.
Good day to be car-free.
I took the bus home and stayed dry.
Good day to be car-free.
#8
Membership Not Required
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,853
Likes: 18
From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#9
LCI #1853
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Scott. Arkansas
Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2, Fisher Caliber 29er, Orbea Onix
Every now and then, though it's usually not intentional ;-) Sometimes you lose the bet and bad weather just catches you out on the road, or on the trail. In a lot of cases it's like riding in the rain, and you take the same precautions. Wind and lightning, though, make a big difference. In that case I'll find some sort of shelter -- a coffee shop, convenience store, in some cases, a park pavilion, parking deck, or even a tractor shed to wait the storm out before hitting the road again.
Visibility is key... remember that motorists can't see as well as you can in those conditions, and it's an excellent idea not to be in their way, to have lights and reflectors all over to mprove your visibility. Bon't blend into the background.
Visibility is key... remember that motorists can't see as well as you can in those conditions, and it's an excellent idea not to be in their way, to have lights and reflectors all over to mprove your visibility. Bon't blend into the background.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 668
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Bikes: [IMG]https://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd359/89ScottG/TourdeScottsdalePic.jpg[/IMG]
We have incredibly intense lightning here in Arizona during Monsoon. I don't mind, in fact love getting drenched during a summer downpour, but riding an antenna during a lightning storm is not something I want to do. I wait it out under an overpass, or pull over anywhere there's shelter. Our storm cells move through so fast, it doesn't take long for it to pass.
#12
Not safe for work


Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 8
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: KHS Town and Country 100 & Jamis Durango Femme 1.0
I won't ride in a thunderstorm if I can help it. Luckily, I've only been caught once when I was on my bike. I was able to wait it out hunkered down beneath an underpass. It was a short and nasty storm that turned the sky green. The news said a little twister was seen outside of the city. Eep.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 970
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Bikes: Miyata 600, Marin Larkspur, Marin Muirwoods, GT tequesta, Fuji Ace
it's not something I seek out, but we get thunderstorms regularly in the summer. Therefore, I ride in thunderstorms... I don't really think there is much to be done about it.
#15
Wannabie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: East Hampton, CT and Wilkes-Barre, PA (college)
Bikes: Trek, umm... Leme check
There's been times when I've ridden in thunderstorms, however I usually don't head out when they're starting to come around. If I'm already out riding, I'll continue to my destination or if I think I need to stop, do so.
#16
The Professor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 7
From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
#17
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 506
Likes: 6
From: Omaha, Ne
Bikes: Trek Belleville, Workcycles opa, Schwinn
I try, when possible to avoid storms. But sometimes I have no choice and have to keep riding. I simply rely on the fact I ride in urban areas and lightning will likely not hit me, but rather a nearby building or street lamp.
#18
Easy. Find shelter and wait it out then finish your ride.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
#19
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
If I can I avoid going out in the storm. Sometimes that's not an option so I avoid large open areas(pretty easy living in the city). A lot of times if a thunderstorm catches me I'll suddenly remember I wanted to stop and grab something to eat.
#24
Banned.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 3
From: Southern california
Bikes: Lapierre CF Sensium 400. Jamis Ventura Sport. Trek 800. Giant Cypress.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
seely
Touring
12
01-21-13 07:46 PM







