Is it irrational to fear a thunder storm?

iclestu

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.

iain_j

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

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

Wishful thinking, it's all I had that day

prj45

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

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)

iclestu

WheezyMcChubby 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....

doog442

WheezyMcChubby 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

ChillyGetsTrilly

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

iclestu wrote:

WheezyMcChubby 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

doog442 wrote:

WheezyMcChubby 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

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

roger_merriman

i always like thunder storms, but then i like weather.

Kieran_Burns

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.

LDN-Flyer

ride a bike made out of bamboo whilst wearing a rubber all in one bodess, then you'll be safe.

lost_in_thought

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

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

Got a beaut thunderstorm passing overhead right now. The rumbles are causing the floor to shake!

tgotb

lost_in_thought wrote:

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...

Feltup

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.

biondino

Anyone enjoying the storm over the west end right now?

lardboy

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.

No no

Over the City now - looks like I'm working later than planned!

pangolin

I'm leaving the office at 8 tonight from just by Trafalgar Square. It makes me sad.