http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: So... who's cycled in lightning before? en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:57:07 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807&page=2#post-153697 Thu, 15 May 2014 23:01:04 +0000 chdot 153697@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://YouTube.com/watch?v=tQz5G7wDcGs" rel="nofollow">http://YouTube.com/watch?v=tQz5G7wDcGs</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807&page=2#post-153675 Thu, 15 May 2014 19:21:33 +0000 Bhachgen 153675@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I was young and daft me and some friends had planned a night MTB expedition. Following a path we knew pretty well. Just as it was getting dark a massive thunderstorm came over. So we waited until it had passed by and headed for the hills. It hadn't gone far so we could still see and hear it in the distance. Actually a benefit at times given the crapness of early-1990s cycle light technology and the fact that we weren't even at the cutting edge of that. (one of the lads' idea of a front light was a normal Ever-ready torch which he held in one hand all the way round. I got the micky taken out of me for having a light on the bike PLUS a headtorch) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807&page=2#post-153672 Thu, 15 May 2014 18:43:28 +0000 Instography 153672@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>What happens if people are on the trams?</em></p> <p>Walk? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153629 Thu, 15 May 2014 12:57:29 +0000 kaputnik 153629@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Lothian Tory MSP Cameron Buchanan said he had heard that the lightning strike had left one tram blocking traffic at Haymarket, though tram bosses denied that....</p> <p>And Mr Buchanan called for emergency plans to be put in place before the next time lightning struck. He said...“We get lightning quite regularly in Edinburgh. What happens if people are on the trams"?<br /> </em></p> <p>Aye there must be at least 1 if not 2 lightning storms a year. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153624 Thu, 15 May 2014 11:39:47 +0000 chdot 153624@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/lightning-storm-cripples-trams-for-hours-1-3412016" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/lightning-storm-cripples-trams-for-hours-1-3412016</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153589 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:31:44 +0000 CycleCommute.CC 153589@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My old man had his PC fried by a lighting strike once, so its definitely possible. Extremely remote possibility though so its not something I bother with myself. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153587 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:17:53 +0000 SRD 153587@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We always use surge protectors on computers etc when in Middle East/Africa and unplug if we know a storm is approaching. Too many people I know have had computers fried, not because of a direct hit, but just during storms, when the phone system and electricity usually go down. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153585 Thu, 15 May 2014 08:09:21 +0000 chdot 153585@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Solar wind 'triggers lightning on Earth' </p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27406358" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27406358</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153570 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:57:01 +0000 Snowy 153570@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh and one I remember from my old outdoor first aid days. Don't lie down out of doors. Just sit down with your legs crossed, in the lowest place you can find. That way any current in the ground will not traverse your heart. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153568 Wed, 14 May 2014 21:51:41 +0000 Snowy 153568@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>An electrical engineer friend reckons it is.<br /> He lacks personal empirical evidence but is working on the basis that switches/fuses/MCBs/RCDs/surge+spike protectors will just get laughed at by the voltage &amp; current of a lightning strike. Unplug.<br /> On the plus side, you'll probably be too busy reaching for the fire extinguisher to worry about your hifi. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153552 Wed, 14 May 2014 20:03:54 +0000 Greenroofer 153552@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mrs Greenroofer laughs at me when I unplug stuff during lightning storms. It's not for my safety, but to protect my electronic gizmos. I do it for the reasons mentioned by @firedfromthecircus: if my PC is unplugged from mains and telephone, then it won't get fried when the power or telephone lines get a lightning strike.</p> <p>Can any qualified electrical people tell me if this is worth the effort? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153550 Wed, 14 May 2014 19:42:49 +0000 firedfromthecircus 153550@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had lightning strike the telephone pole outside my house once. It came into the house via the telephone wire and blew the front of the socket right across the room. Also fried my tv and dvd player that were near the telephone line even though there was no direct connection.</p> <p>Perhaps unplugging things isn't such a bad idea. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153536 Wed, 14 May 2014 18:17:02 +0000 gembo 153536@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Amazing we are all still here</p> <p>Lee Trevino struck by lightning on a golf course once. Any time lightening then around on golf courses Lee, a wee fat Mexican man could easily beat Ben Johnson on best drugs ever in hundred yard dash for cover.</p> <p>Noted about not leaning against Easter hailes gait tunnel wall,they are damp anyway. The tunnel is well covered in earth, trees, etc but best to be careful? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153501 Wed, 14 May 2014 14:13:36 +0000 acsimpson 153501@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@slowcoach that page also seems to suggest that there may be some logic to unplugging everything before the storm hits. It suggests it's quite possible to be fried while talking on the corded telephone. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153482 Wed, 14 May 2014 12:28:10 +0000 I were right about that saddle 153482@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wow. I shall never lie down again. Cheers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153481 Wed, 14 May 2014 12:24:43 +0000 calmac 153481@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I don't think it's a good idea to lie down - if you get a strike near you then the current spreads over a wide area, and you don't wnat it hitting your chest so easily. The advice for hillwalkers is to hunker down on the balls of your feet, and try to get something under you like your rucksack, so I'd guess that lying down isn't the best. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153480 Wed, 14 May 2014 12:23:10 +0000 slowcoach 153480@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>IWRATS - DON'T lie down, according to advice via links above. "Lying flat increases your chance of being affected by potentially deadly ground current" <a href="http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/facts_truth.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/facts_truth.htm</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153477 Wed, 14 May 2014 11:38:13 +0000 I were right about that saddle 153477@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@KarenJS</p> <p>Madame IWRATS insists on unplugging phones and electrical items in the house during lightning storms, as this is traditional on the continent. I've tried to explain that a spark that can jump 2000 metres of air isn't in the least influenced by a few metres of thin copper wire (that would in any case be turned to plasma in an instant if hit). Same goes for rubber tyres and stuff.</p> <p>Get indoors, lie down if you can't, keep away from high pointy things....</p> <p>I once got menaced by a bull during a lightning storm high up on the Puy du Cantal. That was memorably unpleasant. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153471 Wed, 14 May 2014 11:10:26 +0000 calmac 153471@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just to say, if you shelter in a tunnel (or cave, or any overhang), stand well back from the edge. If the lightning hits whatever you're sheltering under, it can use you to jump the gap. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153424 Wed, 14 May 2014 08:28:12 +0000 jwr 153424@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The last time I got caught in a thunderstorm was mountain biking in Crested Butte, Colorado. The storm rolled in really quickly and hit the mountain when we were half-way up the chairlift. The operators closed the lift and sped up the lines to clear everyone off. Of course, once we were at the top there was only one way back down - I don't think I've ever hit a DH track as hard as that before. Lightning is quite the motivator!</p> <p>Yesterday's weather was much easier to deal with - I waited most of it out by keeping an eye on <a href="http://www.raintoday.co.uk">Rain Today</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153408 Tue, 13 May 2014 21:36:25 +0000 KarenJS 153408@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks for the link! Makes interesting reading :-) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153402 Tue, 13 May 2014 20:31:00 +0000 gembo 153402@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Couple of episodes of sheet lightening I thought on my way home. Forked lightening if it hits you walking or on a bike could be shocking. Tyres won't help really. If lightning hits car goes through the chassis, but even if wearing a helmet best to get off and seek shelter, I thought Easter hailes gate tunnel would be my spot but the storm passed over. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153401 Tue, 13 May 2014 20:29:27 +0000 wingpig 153401@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"...so if you're on a bike...?"</em></blockquote></p> <p>Through your head, your neck and arms, the handlebars, the frame and the wheel, not even having to jump much to cross between the rim and the ground if there's enough conductive water (which would instantly vaporise) around the insulating tyre?</p> <p>In a car or an aeroplane where a circuit can be formed around the outside of the container, you're safe. Where the shortest route to ground is through your, you're not, <a href="http://what-if.xkcd.com/16/">if you protrude enough</a>... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153398 Tue, 13 May 2014 20:18:20 +0000 KarenJS 153398@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was just wondering what would happen if you were hit by lightning on a bike? I don't know enough about physics. In a car or a plane it sort of goes round you. If you're standing it goes through you, so if you're on a bike...? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153396 Tue, 13 May 2014 19:46:53 +0000 SSR 153396@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Very wet, the hail was painful, and scarily loud when the lightning is just about on top of you. My plan to outrun the storm didn't quite work out...</p> <p>Also I didn't see it but the guy in front of me said that he had seen a fellow cyclist slip right over on the new supposedly grippy strip at the refurbed NEPN junction. That was in some of the heaviest rain so a lot of standing water but still worrying. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153391 Tue, 13 May 2014 19:09:42 +0000 Snowy 153391@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There was lightning last year when I was going home along the canal. The only bit that caused me concern was crossing the aquaduct, when I realised that my head was now the highest object for quite some distance!</p> <p>NB Took a different route home tonight for that reason. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153389 Tue, 13 May 2014 18:33:49 +0000 Slug 153389@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>EBC had something of the spirit of the Blitz about it with everyone sheltering (with bikes in the shop) and having a good old 'chinwag' while waiting for it to clear. Could barely see through the steam that was rising from all the bodies! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153382 Tue, 13 May 2014 16:30:26 +0000 DaveC 153382@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>whats it like</em></p> <p>Shocking! ;O)</p> <p>Never cycled in thunder and lightening before. T'was thundering in St Andrew Sq earlier and a collegue asked me if I had a flag in the bent!! ;O) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153380 Tue, 13 May 2014 16:24:47 +0000 SRD 153380@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>yeah, rain in africa very convivial time. you hang out in doorways and wait for it to pass. or go have a coffee until the power comes back on.... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12807#post-153377 Tue, 13 May 2014 16:18:53 +0000 Instography 153377@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You get up close and personal with the inside of a bus shelter. </p>