Thunderstorms

Just don't shelter under any trees! They attract lightning.

And remember kiddies - as my boss with money to burn tells me every time we ride together in the rain - Carbon Fiber does NOT attract lightning. (Bastard - I hate him when he's right).

Okay - seriously... Here is what NOAA says...

Motorcyclist/Bicyclist

• Carry a portable NWR or listen to the radio.
• If you see threatening skies in the distance and you are passing a safe location, pull over and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder crack.
• If you can turn around and get away from the storm, do so!
• DO NOT ride into a lighting storm!

If you absolutely cannot get to a safe building or vehicle, here are some last resort choices:

• Wait out the storm below an overpass. DO NOT touch steel girders. Move away from your bike. Remain on the dry surfaces if possible. Overpasses are engineered structures and are likely to be properly grounded. Although an overpass is likely to be higher than the surrounding landscape, if it is struck by lightning, the electrical current will likely be channeled safely into the ground.
• Look for a bridge. Stay away from water. Stay away from any metal surfaces. Be alert for rapidly rising water if under a bridge.
• High tension wires: If high voltage electrical tension wires cross the road, you may want to seek shelter directly underneath these wires. Do not get too close to the large metal towers which hold up these wires. Stay at least 50 feet away. Electric companies design these high tension wires for lightning strikes. If lighting should strike the wires or towers, the current is designed to safely go deep into the ground.

IMPORTANT: These recommendations are a last resort. You are NOT safe in these places just marginally safer than in the open.

• If you are caught in the open and lightning is occurring within 5 miles, STOP riding, get off of your motorcycle/bicycle, find a ditch or other low spot and get into the lightning desperation position (AND JUST WHAT POSITION IS THAT?)
• Motorcyclists should move at least 50 feet away from their bike. Bicyclist should lay their bikes on the ground.

You might be better off thoroughly cleaning the drive train first (soap, degreaser, water), rather than just squirting/wiping. Road spray is full of grit and grime that can get into your parts (like in the rollers of your chain) and abrade the crap out of it.

So I wash the bike and the drive train, let dry completely, then relube the chain/derailleurs.

C'mon down and ride with us! We'll show you some Cajun hospitality.

Tell3131 - 2005-07-22 8:00 AM Keep riding!!!!!! I love riding and running in the rain/thunderstorms and we get plenty of thunderstorms here in Kansas City. Somehow it makes me feel tougher, even though I know that I am not.

As long as we are safely hijacking, I must say that whenever Tell3131 posts, it makes me get a twinge of nostalgia, missing Kansas City!

Man, you gotta watch out for that kind of weather when riding on the Silver Comet!  I got caught in a thunderstorm once and lightning struck so close to me that I couldn't even hear my hysterical scream over the sound of the blast and my ears were left ringing.  I was out in Paulding County and the overpasses were pretty scarce.  If I were you, I'd just abstain from riding when the weather is like that.  At the very least, instead of going 25 mi out and then back to your car/home, do 12 mi one way, then 12 mi back, and then another round if you like.  That way you're not so darn far from your car!

Where did you start on the Comet?  I get on at the Concord Rd entrance.

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I will always train in the rain.  Always have.  In high school and college, I ran my best 400m and 800m times in the rain.  I would always train in the rain, sans lightning of course.  I think it was just a mental thing.  I would always tell myself, "Some guy at my next meet is running in this stuff and if I don't, he's gonna beat me."  Not to mention the fact that the rain usually cools me off.

Here is what NOAA says about that position...you really need to go to the link and check out the picture...

Waskelton said to bend over and kiss your ass goodbye...not too far off! :-)

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pub/ltg/NOAA_LTG/ltg_NOAA_NWS_feetWHY.htm

From NOAA's website:

The Lightning Desperation Position

SQUAT DOWN! KEEP YOUR FEET TOGETHER! - KEEP OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY OFF THE GROUND! - CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COVER YOUR EARS!

Was going back through some of my old posts and thought since the season is coming up this might be worth bumping back up...

Michael