Inclimate weather

[betagirl]

Lise and I were discussing this on yesterday's ride thread.

When you find yourself in a thunderstorm, is it safe to keep going or should you always pull off for shelter? I get nervous in storms on my bike, so I tend to pull off. But I've seen others that keep going.

What's everyone's opinion?

[mimitabby]

Lise and I were discussing this on yesterday's ride thread.

When you find yourself in a thunderstorm, is it safe to keep going or should you always pull off for shelter? I get nervous in storms on my bike, so I tend to pull off. But I've seen others that keep going.

What's everyone's opinion?

in inclement weather, specifically electrical storms, I say get out of the path of lightening bolts!

[jeannierides]

in inclement weather, specifically electrical storms, I say get out of the path of lightening bolts!

Me too! Especially since I'm on a steel bike! A little rain, however, isn't really a big deal...

[Deanna]

Definitely get out of the way of electricity. Isn't hail a frequent companion of thunder storms? While it's "safe" to ride in hail, it hurts like heck when it hits your skin. Pull over for that too!

[Lenusik]

I told like to ride in a stormy weather period. In AZ roads are pretty dry and when it rains it gets really slicky and dangerous. A little bit of water stirrs the oil so it is like being on ice. Plus, rains in AZ start with nasty dust storms and it is hard to keep balance.
Just be safe!

[DebW]

Lise and I were discussing this on yesterday's ride thread.

When you find yourself in a thunderstorm, is it safe to keep going or should you always pull off for shelter? I get nervous in storms on my bike, so I tend to pull off. But I've seen others that keep going.

What's everyone's opinion?

What do you consider shelter? Would you stop only at a public building, or take refuge on a stranger's porch? On my 13 mile commute, there are 2 gas stations and 2 libraries, homes, and woods. I'd be reluctant to go inside the library and leave my bike unlocked outside. Is being on a road more or less safe than being in the woods? I suppose it would be better to stop, get 50 yards away from your metal bike, and crouch down if nothing else. Sometimes there just aren't any really good options. Around here, storms always mean falling tree branches and debris in the roads.

[mimitabby]

Deb, buy a cable lock for your bike!! you never know when you need to stop somewhere that you can't drag it along with you!
(like to an emergency stop at a bathroom!)

[mtbdarby]

If its just rain I keep riding. For lightning and hail I seek shelter. Of course, this time of year I think tornados with storms so check your forecast before heading out.

[Nanci]

That reminds me of some ride I was doing last summer, when a car was trailing me, and I was wondering what was going on, and then she caught up and rolled down the window and told me there was a tornado watch. That was nice of her. We don't seem to get a lot of lightning right where I am, but I think Tampa is the lightning strike capitol of the world, or something.

Nanci

[Lise]

beta--in reply to your question on yesterday's thread, yeah, we got hit with the ~ 9:15 storm. I was having dinner on yet another first date--unfortunately the only place to go was into the very noisy bar, so the rain effectively wrapped up the date.

Today's weather is great. I wish I

1) hadn't just donated blood
and
2) weren't starting a 24 hr call shift tonight. It's a perfect day for riding.

But I'm wiped out, and going to nap before playing volleyball. Hope you got a good ride in. L.

[betagirl]

I took shelter at a gas station, where I could hang out with my bike. If I had been further into my route, I'm not sure where I would have stopped. Probably at a church or something where I could hide under an awning.

Chicago gets some doozy storms. Though tornadoes are rare this close into the city. Sometimes we do get water spouts on the lake though.

Lise - sorry about your date....stupid weather.

Deanna - love your signature line.

[Surlygirl]

I had a friend killed by lightning a half hour after the storm had passed on 4th of July 4 years ago. Please, always take shelter and its not safe a half hour before and a half hour after a storm. If you can hear it you are already in danger. You should also know what to do if you are caught in a storm with no shelter available.
http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls.html

[DebW]

Thanks for the sobering reminder, Surlygirl. Apparently, awnings and porches and other places where you might get out of the rain with your bike are not really safe. The guideline said "inside a substantial building". So I'd better carry a bike lock on the "chance of thunderstorm" afternoons.

[Lise]

Wow, I did not know. Thanks for the information, and thanks, betagirl for asking the question. I've been cautious about riding in the rain because of the potential for wipe out, but cavalier about the risk of lightning. I'll be much more careful now.

[margo49]

OT but I am over 50 (just) so you young things will have to read on...

When I was touring in France I had camped for the night and gone to sleep. There had been summer thunderstorms for a few nights but I was too tired to put the fly-sheet that night. In the middle of the night I was awakened by lightening and raced outside to put up my fly-sheet and got it staked down before the thunder came

This was in the very old days when you had tent poles, pegs and ropes.