What to do in extreme weather?

[patmahe]

Hi all,

Recently purchased a road bike to get back into cycling after a long absence, was out for a ride last night and the weather was pretty good, though slightly overcast so I wore relatively light clothing.

However very shortly after arriving home, the heavens opened and there was a quite severe thunderstorm. While I was thanking my lucky stars I got home when I did a thought occured to me, what if I had been caught out in that storm, what would be the appropriate thing to do, ride a metal bike through lightning, on a road with diminished visibility or look for shelter of which there would have been very little.

What would you have done?

[HundredthIdiot]

Shelter. In a heavy thunderstorm you won't be able to see properly.

[y2blade]

wear a tin-foil hat

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 21st July 10:24

[itsnotarace]

I'd find shelter but not under a tree! I also carry a lightweight jacket that folds up small enough to go in the back pocket of my cycling shirt, not that it would protect you from lightning, just the odd shower

[pdV6]

MTFU?

[mickymellon1]

the tyres are rubber which wont conduct electricity and just wear t-shirt and shorts as if it does rain you'll not be weighed down by heavy wet clothes and they'll dry out quicker

[Raven Flyer]

Find shelter... in a pub.

[Mars]

mickymellon1 said:

the tyres are rubber which wont conduct electricity

Yes they will. Lightning voltages are high enough to span gaps of hundreds of metres (or more). A mere inch of rubber between you and the ground isn't enough to stop that.

[HundredthIdiot]

Mars said:

Lightning voltages are high enough to span gaps of hundreds of metres (or more). A mere inch of rubber between you and the ground isn't enough to stop that.

Particularly when the tyres are streaming wet.