Of lightening and steel frames

[Bigtallfatbloke]

...erm..is it a good idea to ride in a thunderstorm? I know a car is ok if struck because the curretn goes around the occupant or something...but what about my bike...am I gonna die...be fried alive...will my balls melt, my hands grill and my arse b bar b que'd?

 

[ChrisW]

Are you telling us you don't cycle quicker than lightening?

 

[Globalti]

If lightning can jump hundreds of feet to the clouds it's not going to be stopped by your tyres or anything else. Best thing to do is ride like buggery down off the hill.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Lucky it's not carbon...

My advice if caught out in a thunderstorm is to abandon to the nearest pub as fast as possible.

 

[John Ponting]

just bend your back and get your head below the top tube and you should be ok - but don't shout at me if it doesn't work.

 

[bonj2]

No, because your tyres are made of rubber and the lightning knows this and picks on an easier target. If you have mudguards though you may be doomed as the lightning sees them from above and thinks they're your wheels made of metal and will strike you.

 

[Panter]

 

[alecstilleyedye]

No, because your tyres are made of rubber and the lightning knows this and picks on an easier target. If you have mudguards though you may be doomed as the lightning sees them from above and thinks they're your wheels made of metal and will strike you.

but my steel bike has plastic guards. am i going to be a victim of lightning misidentification?

and does anyone here have non-metallic wheels (apart from the carbon boys and girls)?

 

[asterix]

No, because your tyres are made of rubber and the lightning knows this and picks on an easier target. If you have mudguards though you may be doomed as the lightning sees them from above and thinks they're your wheels made of metal and will strike you.

Presumably this danger could be averted through use of black mudguards rather than silver ones?

 

[Fnaar]

The best advice is to put on one of those foil wraps they give you after a marathon to keep warm, and stand under a tall tree, on top of a hill, holding your bike by the crossbar.

Oy, Panter, get that woman avatar back pronto!

 

[Panter]

I blame Panter. These days everyone expects people with Lady avatars to be blokes.

Oy, Panter, get that woman avatar back pronto!

Can't win

 

[domtyler]

A good friend of mine used to be able to make a Faraday cage out of bent spokes he used to keep in his pannier when the need arose.

 

[bonj2]

but my steel bike has plastic guards. am i going to be a victim of lightning misidentification?

and does anyone here have non-metallic wheels (apart from the carbon boys and girls)?

Yes, you might be, and it'll be your own fault for having mudguards.

Presumably this danger could be averted through use of black mudguards rather than silver ones?

No because lightning isn't that clever.... duh ...

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

A good friend of mine used to be able to make a Faraday cage out of bent spokes he used to keep in his pannier when the need arose.

But is he still alive?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Yes, you might be, and it'll be your own fault for having mudguards.

i don't like 'em either, but they're polite to have if you ride in a group during the winter.