Is it irrational to fear a thunder storm?

iclestu
iclestu Posts: 503
edited July 2009 in Commuting chat
Big thunder storm appeared on the horizon on my commute home tonight. I have to confess to being more than a little intimidated. I gave consideration to calling in the 'support vehicle' (aka the wife), but thankfully the storm stayed more or less on the horizon until I got home.

I always came from the school of thought that says "if it rains - you get wet". It's not as if it hurts! However, I'd imagine getting struck by a ruddy big bolt of lightening might just sting a bit.

What's the stats on cyclists getting struck by lightening on rural roads? Do I just need to MTFU or should I try to avoid them.
FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro

Comments

  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    You're not alone. Been out in one thunderstorm and I didn't like it. Rubber tyres insulate you but on this occasion the rain was so heavy the water was up to the rims :shock:

    Oh and I wasn't in a forest but never far from a tree, not the best things to be under in a thunderstorm!
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    iain_j wrote:
    Rubber tyres insulate you

    Oh no they don't, not a few mm's of them....

    Chances you'll get hit are very low.
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    Wishful thinking, it's all I had that day :D
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    Put the bike away from you, if you feel tingling squat and be ready for a shock.

    I rode through hyde park in a thunderstorm once, it was very wet and I enjoyed it.

    Found out when I got home a girl (or girls, can't rememebr) had been killed sheltering under a tree.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,395
    I've always assumed that being out on the road on a metal bike in thunder and lightning was dumb.

    I have no basis for this other than watching PGA golf, any instance of electrical activity within 50 miles (IIRC) and the course is cleared, no ifs or buts.

    (Obviously rain just requires a MTFU)
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • iclestu
    iclestu Posts: 503
    ...
    I have no basis for this other than watching PGA golf, any instance of electrical activity within 50 miles (IIRC) and the course is cleared, no ifs or buts.
    ...

    Really!? :shock:

    The thunderstorm today was clearly inside of 50 miles - maybe inside 5 miles. Cripes....
    FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

    Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro
  • doog442
    doog442 Posts: 370
    edited July 2009
    I've always assumed that being out on the road on a metal bike in thunder and lightning was dumb.

    I have no basis for this other than watching PGA golf, any instance of electrical activity within 50 miles (IIRC) and the course is cleared, no ifs or buts.

    (Obviously rain just requires a MTFU)

    50 miles !!!! im a golfer and there is no way that is correct...5/6 miles is nearer the mark

    see below

    http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls ... mmend.html
  • I used to enjoy rainy bike rides every now and again... then a bolt scared the bejesus out of me when it hit a car a few lengths ahead of me.

    I'm much more cautious now... first sign of lighting and i usually pack it in for a bit or kick it into hyper mode depending on how far i am from home.

    you're concern is justified though....
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    iclestu wrote:
    ...
    I have no basis for this other than watching PGA golf, any instance of electrical activity within 50 miles (IIRC) and the course is cleared, no ifs or buts.
    ...

    Really!? :shock:

    The thunderstorm today was clearly inside of 50 miles - maybe inside 5 miles. Cripes....

    I think that's mainly for insurance purposes, i.e. the golfer's aren't insured against lightening strikes.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,395
    edited July 2009
    doog442 wrote:
    I've always assumed that being out on the road on a metal bike in thunder and lightning was dumb.

    I have no basis for this other than watching PGA golf, any instance of electrical activity within 50 miles (IIRC) and the course is cleared, no ifs or buts.

    (Obviously rain just requires a MTFU)

    50 miles !!!! im a golfer and there is no way that is correct...5/6 miles is nearer the mark

    see below

    http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls ... mmend.html


    You're probably right there. How long would it take a thunderstorm to travel 5 miles?

    I do recall seeing events being suspended when there wasn't clearly bad weather on course.

    I'm guessing Retief doesn't hang about though :lol:
    They were playing through a small drizzle when lightning struck. Henri was knocked from his feet and when he stood back up saw Retief lying on the ground on his back. Henri retold the story to Golf World "I wanted to know his reaction. What I did see was his golf clubs and his golf bag. Then I saw him lying on his back. His tongue was down his throat and his eyes were backward, and he was breathing weird. He had no clothes on; they'd been burned from his body. I remember picking up his spectacles. I didn't know what to do. It looked like he was dead. I was screaming for help. Fortunately, there were guys teeing off on the 12th hole. They came running toward us. From then on, I can't remember much. They picked him up and put him in a car." Goosen's shoes had disintegrated from his feet, his underwear and watch band had melted to his body. He was unable to put his shoes on for weeks afterwards. He recovered enough to grab another set of clubs and take up the game a few weeks later. Goosen doesn't remember the events that happened, but his father took his son's survival as a sign from God as good things to come
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    i always like thunder storms, but then i like weather.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    I got caught out on Cannock Chase one time... first of all thought it was just big lorries near by, then remembered they aren't allowed on the Chase. :?

    After belting down through Rugeley (at serious speed) we got caught in the most almightly downpour. We decided to hide at the BOTTOM of a very large hill (which happened to be tree covered... figuring we were low down and there was 200' of trees above us)

    You'd think seeing a barn no more than 1/4 mile away get its roof blown off by a bolt would give us a hint. Nope. :roll:

    The tree 100' foot away exploding did though. :shock:

    On the bikes and down to the roundabout with the shops and begging shelter from the owner we rode the storm out.

    I love Thunderstorms me.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • LDN-Flyer
    LDN-Flyer Posts: 97
    ride a bike made out of bamboo whilst wearing a rubber all in one bodess, then you'll be safe.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Knobbly tyres would provide greater protection.... :twisted:

    I wonder whether a bike makes it more likely that you will be zapped... it's lower down than you are...

    I always thought it was things that are a) metal, b) tall and c) in open spaces that were a risk, sailing boats, for example.
  • El Gordo
    El Gordo Posts: 394
    Part of my job is climbing up overhead line towers and TV masts so we're a little bit careful about lightning. Never experienced myself but a few guys I work with were on a tower that was struck. Apparently it's a just a bit of a tingling sensation. The electricity will just take the path of least resistance to ground so there's no reason why it will travel through you if you're just part of an otherwise steel structure.

    So on a bike the route the electricity would take brings tears to my eyes. All us cyclists need though is a copper strip running from your helmet to the crossbar.
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Got a beaut thunderstorm passing overhead right now. The rumbles are causing the floor to shake!
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    I always thought it was things that are a) metal, b) tall and c) in open spaces that were a risk, sailing boats, for example.
    I've been sailing in thunderstorms a few times (boat has a carbon mast, which should be a good conductor). Never seen anyone hit by lightning, even when it was hitting the water fifty yards away. Boats obviously do get hit, but lightning seems to be pretty unpredictable stuff...
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • Feltup
    Feltup Posts: 1,340
    Not had a problem on my bikes but there was one time in South Wales that really SH@ me up. I had been out kitesurfing for a couple of hours with my mate when we saw a big squall coming towards us. We decided that it was best to head for the beach, land the kites and wait it out. Sure enough the wind came in and then the rain and hail; huge hail stones like marbles. That should have been a clue.

    The winds started to ease and the hail stopped so we decided to put the kites up and do the short 400m dash across the river mouth to the carpark. Nick shot off first and was just landing his kite as I got half way there when BOOM! The sound came from all around me and I was now commited to making the car park. Early physics lessons told me the story of an eccentric Englishman who flew a kite in a storm with a key attached to it and also about how wet lines conduct electricity really well. I was cacking myself big time. Luckily Nick was ready to catch my kite as I approached the car park so I just flew it into him at full speed nearly knocking him over! God I was glad to survive that.
    Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.

    Felt F55 - 2007
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    Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Anyone enjoying the storm over the west end right now?
  • lardboy
    lardboy Posts: 343
    It doesn't seem irrational right now...

    Bloody tipping it down in London town. I think I might bring the bike into the office overnight rather than do Trafalgar Sq in this.
    Bike/Train commuter: Brompton S2L - "Machete"
    12mile each way commuter: '11 Boardman CX with guards and rack
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  • No no
    No no Posts: 8
    Over the City now - looks like I'm working later than planned!
  • pangolin
    pangolin Posts: 6,638
    I'm leaving the office at 8 tonight from just by Trafalgar Square. It makes me sad.
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