There is a God

Kieran_Burns

and he loves me

Friday weather forecast. I travel SW --> NE in the morning
.
Time Weather Temp Wind Speed Gusts
Day Sunny intervals 20 °C SW 21 mph 41 mph Very Good
Night Partly cloudy 12 °C SW 6 mph Very Good

Of course - this evening I'm cycling into a Thunderstorm, but hey: it's a laff innit?

rjsterry

Kieran_Burns wrote:

and he loves me

Friday weather forecast. I travel SW --> NE in the morning
.
Time Weather Temp Wind Speed Gusts
Day Sunny intervals 20 °C SW 21 mph 41 mph Very Good
Night Partly cloudy 12 °C SW 6 mph Very Good

Of course - this evening I'm cycling into a Thunderstorm, but hey: it's a laff innit?

Cycling in a torrential summer thunderstorm is something everyone should try once. Flash floods, lightning strikes in the field next to yo are particularly 'fun'.

Kieran_Burns

I've done the Thunderstorm thing before.... riding on the outside of a wet metal frame and being the high point on the flat road is always.... errmmm.... exciting

40 mph tailwinds on the way into work though... and then almost nothing on the way home. It's like a dream

rjsterry

You should fit a sail.

shouldbeinbed

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've done the Thunderstorm thing before.... riding on the outside of a wet metal frame and being the high point on the flat road is always.... errmmm.... exciting

40 mph tailwinds on the way into work though... and then almost nothing on the way home. It's like a dream

would lightening earth through rubber tyres?

not that I'm suggesting riding round in Kaiser Bills helmet to try it, coming down with that much oomph it'd probably make the jump from spokes toes, pedals or BB to ground and send you up in a cloud of smoke

rjsterry

shouldbeinbed wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've done the Thunderstorm thing before.... riding on the outside of a wet metal frame and being the high point on the flat road is always.... errmmm.... exciting

40 mph tailwinds on the way into work though... and then almost nothing on the way home. It's like a dream

would lightening earth through rubber tyres?

not that I'm suggesting riding round in Kaiser Bills helmet to try it, coming down with that much oomph it'd probably make the jump from spokes toes, pedals or BB to ground and send you up in a cloud of smoke

I think if there's enough of a voltage for the lightning to jump from the clouds to earth, the 2-3cm from the wheel rim to the ground should be no trouble. The key point is that you are not inside a metal box, but sat on top of a collection of tubes.

Kieran_Burns

I just having this self-same conversation with the guy I'm showing a new route to this evening.

The sky has just gone VERY dark, the roads are now VERY wet and we're gonna have a riot cycling home

I was cycling back one night (last year I think) and could see a thunderstorm heading my way - there were the rumbles of thunder and then suddenly a bolt smacked into the middle of a field right by me :shock:

If I had felt a single pre-bolt tingle I would've been off the bike and heading for the nearest ditch at a rate of knots. As it was - it was one of the most exhilarating rides I'd ever had

rjsterry

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I just having this self-same conversation with the guy I'm showing a new route to this evening.

The sky has just gone VERY dark, the roads are now VERY wet and we're gonna have a riot cycling home

I was cycling back one night (last year I think) and could see a thunderstorm heading my way - there were the rumbles of thunder and then suddenly a bolt smacked into the middle of a field right by me :shock:

If I had felt a single pre-bolt tingle I would've been off the bike and heading for the nearest ditch at a rate of knots. As it was - it was one of the most exhilarating rides I'd ever had

Had the same happen to me. I'm not sure :shock: does it justice though.

Kieran_Burns

We're getting rumblings and grumblings and the odd visible flash now.

secretsam

Kieran_Burns wrote:

We're getting rumblings and grumblings and the odd visible flash now.

I didn't know you were near my house. I must learn to close my blinds before doing those DIY enemas (sorry if anyone's eating whislt reading this)

(Mind you, none of you have met me so for all you know, I may have a body like Adonis after a really good workout)

(I don't, you know)

Gussio

I got soaked on the way home this afternoon. The water that came from my sweaty helmet (easy...) tasted dreadful.

Kieran_Burns

Rain / wind / thunder have all gone.

We have blue skies and no wind

shouldbeinbed

rjsterry wrote:

shouldbeinbed wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I've done the Thunderstorm thing before.... riding on the outside of a wet metal frame and being the high point on the flat road is always.... errmmm.... exciting

40 mph tailwinds on the way into work though... and then almost nothing on the way home. It's like a dream

would lightening earth through rubber tyres?

not that I'm suggesting riding round in Kaiser Bills helmet to try it, coming down with that much oomph it'd probably make the jump from spokes toes, pedals or BB to ground and send you up in a cloud of smoke

I think if there's enough of a voltage for the lightning to jump from the clouds to earth, the 2-3cm from the wheel rim to the ground should be no trouble. The key point is that you are not inside a metal box, but sat on top of a collection of tubes.

fair points all, so much for typing on the hoof with brain on half watts

I was only on about faraday cages t'other day.

jimmypippa

The fact that bike wheels are usually wet in thunderstorms isn't really going to make much difference either.

Zombie_donkey

I've still not ridden in heavy rain yet. I wear glasses so I'm not looking forward to it.

Kieran_Burns

Trust me - it really IS fun


Although saying that: 1 hr before leaving tonight... the skies clear.

5 mins after getting home: biblical downpour 8)

No satellite signal for an hour or so, and lots of flashes zipping across the sky

bicyclepirate

can't belive you cycled through that thunderstorm, i totally neshed it!

left the bike at work and got the train home, i hate riding when lightning is about.

Awesome skills, maybe i need to mtfu, we will see wha the weather brings tommorow.

deptfordmarmoset

I've heard of lots of cricketers, ruggerers and footballers getting electrofizzicated but I can't remember hearing about cyclists getting hit by lightning. Are you safer on carbon bikes?

Kieran_Burns

Flaming 'eck

Set off down the hill this morning - I felt no wind on my face until I hit 25mph. :shock:

Absolutely FLEW in this morning. Cruising in 7th on stretches where I'd bimble in 5th.You could really tell when you went into the lee of a hill / hedge / building. Speed dropped off instantly.

When I turned into the business park where I have head South for a 1/4 mile, I felt like I'd hit a big soft brick wall. Gawd I hope it's gone for this evening.

One of the guys who lives to the NE of work and had to cycle into this Hurricane this morning was not very friendly to me when I mentioned how much fun cycling in was... I think my smug grin didn't help

Jay dubbleU

Yes There Is - And I Do - But Don't Push It, OK?

Aguila

It's playing havock with my peas mind.

Kieran_Burns

If there is a God, then he's taking the pee.... the wind is swinging around to the West (which is great) and then moving back to the South again....

Kieran_Burns

Flaming 'eck :shock:

Battled through the wind (not as bad as I thought it was going to be as I picked the more sheltered route and the trees / hedges kept me reasonably covered)

Caught up to a guy on a flat bar just as it started to rain and had a natter as I went past. Next thing: hail, biblical amounts of water and the wind just flattened everything.

I pulled over to to put my rain proof top, only to find Mr flat-bar was getting a sneaky tow :roll:

Sorted myself out and set off into this incredible downpour, my feet were soaked in seconds and then.... it stopped :shock: The wind died, the sun came out and I started to curse about a complete waste of time stopping.

Get into my home village and catch up with Mr flat bar, and right as I'm about to pass him.

Oh
Dear
God

A downpour that made the previous one look like a light summer mist. The road was an inch under water in less than a minute and I was leaving a wake as I cycled - people were diving for cover everywhere and I couldn't see a damn thing in front of me.

Unbelieveable.

and yes I was laughing like a loon

Just for the record: The dhb Wickham eVENT jacket is flaming awesome. I was bone dry underneath, even in this stunning downpour. It's back to full price now but i got it when it was on offer at £90. (well it should've been £90 but Wiggle cocked up the order and refunded my postage for returning the wrong item.... £90 )

I want more commutes like that one! (on the way home only though,,,,)

rjsterry

I obviously did something bad this lunchtime because that was the hardest ride home I've had in years. Nearly got stopped in my tracks heading past Millbank Tower and struggled to keep above 15mph all the way home.

Kieran_Burns

Just to finish the tale:

checked the Tricross the next morning, thinking I'd have some serious fettling / cleaning / lubing to do.

Quick chain clean and that was it.

I love my bike