Bicycling In Thunder & Lightning
Bicycle riding in the rain can be enjoyable and rather pleasant. In my opinion the worst part is taking care of my gear after I get done riding in the rain. Which is why I normally try to avoid it.
Riding in a thunder storm is another story. It is scary and dangerous. Wild thunderstorms are generally short lived so I have mentally pegged places along my commute route where I can take shelter and wait out the storm. When traveling by bicycle you pays your money and takes your chances.
Yesterday it was raining only slightly as I left the office. A mile later there was a lot of thunder and lightning. I didn’t relish the thought of going over the 14th street bridge in those conditions. I pulled off and instead took shelter under the bridge along Ohio Drive. It was a good move. Things got pretty wild for about twenty minutes.
The pics don’t do the storm justice. You can’t hear it or see the lightning. Then about 20-30 minutes laters it had calmed down and I left. Now look at this pic taken from the other side of the river looking back at where I had been taking shelter just a few minutes earlier.
There was still a fair amount of thunder and lightning just across the river but I made it home pretty much dry and safe.
Here is an interesting rainbow pic I took along the way.
It’s not really a bow but more of a ribbon across the top of the buildings on the other side of the river.
For a selection of pics from other blogs stop over at Candidcarrie.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I have to say those pictures were phenomenal, yet I would be so scared riding in a storm like that. In fact, I have ridden in the rain and remember how much the rain hurt riding in it!
Never even thought about the bike gears!
Great post!
August 15th, 2008 at 8:36 am
…and I thought it was just us (Bristol, UK) who got soaked in August! Nice pictures.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:07 am
WoW! Amazing pictures. I have never seen a rainbow ribbon as you called it. Gives a whole new perspective to the shot and city I’m sure. Here’s to more sunny days in the future and maybe a few more that offer shots like this as long as you’re safe.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:39 am
It rains a lot in the Northwest, but we don’t often get lighting or the hard heavy downpours common in other parts of the country. The pictures surely do not replace being there in person and just goes to show the journey is sometimes the most exciting and fun part of the day.
Riding a bike during a lighting storm would be like playing dodge ball with a lighting bolt.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Those pictures are fabulous. I could hear the thunder and smell the rain.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Very cool, I love the pics of the storm. All was calm and clear when I left an hour later
August 15th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Great photos!!!
I rather like cycling in the rain. Nice and refreshing. Definitely better than the high 90’s that we are getting here at the moment. Thank goodness for hydration packs!!!
Yesterday I ended up with a major flat and ended up walking the bike home in 100 degree weather. Your rain would have been most welcome!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Wow! That had to be an intense 20 minutes! Awesome pictures; amazing how fast something that violent passes on and leaves the last 2 pictures!
August 15th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Great pictures. You clearly have a keen photographer’s eye as I have enjoyed almost all of your pictures on your blog.
August 16th, 2008 at 11:03 am
That weather looks really nasty! but great photos.
I agree about riding in the rain - it is the cleanup that is the real pain. However even after the rain stops you still have to deal with all the standing water on the road - wheel spray is what normally gets everything completely drenched when I am touring.
August 17th, 2008 at 12:27 am
That looks exciting!! A little cold, but still. Great pics!