Crazy to consider thunderstorm ride?
Kiblams
Posts: 2,423
I usually head out on a simple 15mile ride about 10am daily and today it looks like a thunderstorm is on the way. I am still seriouly considering going out in it.
I guess what I am looking for here is anyone with a decent reason not too, I dont think the lightning is a risk as I ride flat ground with trees around the whole ride.
I guess what I am looking for here is anyone with a decent reason not too, I dont think the lightning is a risk as I ride flat ground with trees around the whole ride.
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I wouldn't even consider not going - you'll be fine.
Have surfed in a storm - lightning was hitting the beach (I have no idea why)!!0 -
Suspension forks are well known for their electricity dissipating qualitys - so you'll be fine !!
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geordiefreerider wrote:Suspension forks are well known for their electricity dissipating qualitys - so you'll be fine !!
You obviously haven't seen my bike then
I am sure the tires would help to a degree, though you don't really have the 'cage effect' that saves you in a car.
Heading out to get truly soaked now.
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My arse was certainly twitching a while ago when I was by myself, in the middle of nowhere, on top of the biggest hill around, astride a big lump of metal and the thunder started rolling in. Didn't hang around for long. Another upside of carbon bikes?0
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should be ok, just stay away from the cows lol
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/5550062/Thunder-and-lightning-storms-hit-Britain-mainland-Europe-the-US-and-China.html0 -
UncleMonty wrote:should be ok, just stay away from the cows lol
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/5550062/Thunder-and-lightning-storms-hit-Britain-mainland-Europe-the-US-and-China.html
lol :shock:0 -
i would probably think twice if you're riding near a lot of trees - it's one of the worst places to be. I young asian guy just died from being hit sheltering under trees - granted you're not under them, but still - it's adding to your chances!0
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UncleMonty wrote:should be ok, just stay away from the cows lol
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/5550062/Thunder-and-lightning-storms-hit-Britain-mainland-Europe-the-US-and-China.html
imagine riding through the countryside and hear a loud noise and see a big flash then suddenly smelling burgers lol 0 -
lochussie wrote:Another upside of carbon bikes?
Not in the slightest - carbon is a far better conductor than any metal!! Never go fishing with a 16 metre carbon-fibre pole under powerlines!!!
On a more serious note, if you do find yourself in the middle of a wide open space in a thunderstorm, the best defence is to lie down, preferably in a hollow or dip in the ground. Or shelter in the lee of a building but DON'T lean against it.
NEVER take shelter under a lone tree.0 -
Being under a tree might not help much as they are generally the tallest things around.
Lightining, as with all electricity will find the shortest route to discharge itself. So it doesn't matter where you are. Humans, being mostly made up of Carbon and water are perfectly adequate conductors. So if you are under a cloud that is positively charged and your on top of a hill, you become the shortest route to earth.0 -
dave_hill wrote:NEVER take shelter under a lone tree.
Who said anything about a lone tree?
When I said there are plenty of trees I meant the chances of it hitting the one I happen to be riding past at that particular time is very slim and this I should be fine.
I made it back alive guys, just so you know :P
P.S. Loving the physics lessons guys not a day goes by when this forum doesn't remind me of school. 0 -
Kiblams wrote:
Nobody mentioned a lone tree. I was simply offering advice not to shelter under one for those who might not know.0 -
Why is sheltering under a tree dangerous, is it because of it exploding, or because of you acting as the scondary coil in a transformer?0
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An electrical charge will always try to find the shortest path to earth.
Imagine standing in a very large field with nothing around you for 500 metres in the middle of a thunderstorm. You are a projection and therefore more likely to act as a conductor in the event of a lightning strike (hence the advice to lie down).
Now, imagine the same field with a large tree in the middle of it. That's a bigger projection than you, so is more likely to act as a conductor than you are. But if you stand right next to it or actually lean in it, you can also earth any charge which hits the tree.
You would actually be safer standing a hundred metres away from the tree. Or standing in a wood or large group of trees - thereby reducing the likelihood of a strike.0 -
After a very hot, muggy day last week. my 10 mile commute home was interupted by a massive storm and downpour. I was totally soaked through, but its was one of the most refreshing and enjoyable commutes i ve had for a long while. Stuck a single track section on the end and ened up being 15 miles of drippin wet laughter and fun.0
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Went for a ride at Kildale today and whilst putting the bikes back on the car in the middle of a storm lightning struck the antenna at Kildale station 6 feet from where I was standing. Never seen anyone get back in a car as fast! Scary. Scott Genius MC30
Orange Crush
Giant SCR1.5
A worn out Cannondale Super V500 for the shops0 -
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dave_hill wrote:An electrical charge will always try to find the shortest path to earth.
Imagine standing in a very large field with nothing around you for 500 metres in the middle of a thunderstorm. You are a projection and therefore more likely to act as a conductor in the event of a lightning strike (hence the advice to lie down).
Now, imagine the same field with a large tree in the middle of it. That's a bigger projection than you, so is more likely to act as a conductor than you are. But if you stand right next to it or actually lean in it, you can also earth any charge which hits the tree.
You would actually be safer standing a hundred metres away from the tree. Or standing in a wood or large group of trees - thereby reducing the likelihood of a strike.
But once it has struck the tree it has a long rod, filled with essentially tubes full of electrolyte solution. So leaving it to arc through you it always going to be a higher resistance path than staying in the tree to earth.0 -
ride_whenever wrote:But once it has struck the tree it has a long rod, filled with essentially tubes full of electrolyte solution. So leaving it to arc through you it always going to be a higher resistance path than staying in the tree to earth.
Eh?0
