Who rides in storms?

[Bryce88]

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are of riding in storms? Is it a no no?

Yes, I have rode in storms before but only by accident when the weather has caught me out. But right now I'm looking outside and it's sprinkling with rain, there is the sound of thunder off in the distance and it has been forecast for thunder and lightning over the next couple hours. I'm keen for a ride but at the same time is it worth the risk?

 

[fatboyonabike]

go for it, the chances of being struck are the same as being wiped out at a level crossing
unless it is a really severe storm, I would go for it

 

[Mywifesirrational]

Storms with high winds and lighting, not to concern about being fried, would be concerned about a falling gum tree branch killing me, happened to a mate at sherbrooke in the late 90's. So depends where I am riding and the type of lightning fork lightning vs sheet lightning.

 

[Calvin27]

We have a rain hail shine with the boys annually which for some reason usually occurs in storms. It's fine as long as you can hack some water lol.

 

[dancaseyimages]

I usually try and ride in storms, last week I got caught out without my gloves so had to take a break at the bottom to try and get some grip before heading for the climb back to the car (then further getting caught in the dark on the way back up).

 

[Bryce88]

Yep, in the end I went for a ride and the storm didn't even happen. Glad I took the chance

 

[nzhumpy]

Commuting to/from work I don't have any issues with it, if it gets to bad there is plenty of balconies to pull up under and the sound the hail makes on approach is a dead giveaway...


Mtb, nope...I got caught once in a switch heading up Stromlo, was about 34° in the car park and started raining halfway up, when I hit the top you could see the weather coming in over the back, huge black/green clouds. Temp dropped what felt like 18° and there was lightning strikes every 30 seconds, *couldn't ride as fast as I wanted to on the descent because the rain pouring through the helmet washing manky pad sweat into into the eyes...I was shit scared that day.

*Still broke a few PBs that arvo...

 

[Cardy George]

The only concern I have is with it being so flat around here, there's a few places where I'm the tallest object, not too comforting in an electrical storm

Got caught in hail up the top of Eagle MTB park last time I rode in Adelaide. Turned out better than rain as all the 'water' bounced off me

 

[creaky]

I wouldn’t go seeking out a lighting storm but not too worried about it if caught in one. I actually enjoy the experience of riding in crazy weather but high winds in the bush ain’t safe.

 

[dancaseyimages]

Commuting to/from work I don't have any issues with it, if it gets to bad there is plenty of balconies to pull up under and the sound the hail makes on approach is a dead giveaway...


Mtb, nope...I got caught once in a switch heading up Stromlo, was about 34° in the car park and started raining halfway up, when I hit the top you could see the weather coming in over the back, huge black/green clouds. Temp dropped what felt like 18° and there was lightning strikes every 30 seconds, *couldn't ride as fast as I wanted to on the descent because the rain pouring through the helmet washing manky pad sweat into into the eyes...I was shit scared that day.

*Still broke a few PBs that arvo...

Thats what happened to me, but I got caught at the bottom. Parked at the top thinking it would be an easy lap or two before the storm hit.

 

[slider_phil]

Got caught in a storm riding the Beechworth loop one day. Made it a very memorable ride that's for sure. Not much rain but a good amount of atmospheric thunder for a soundtrack.

 

[Haakon]

The biggest problem with riding in storms is the water and mud isnt wonderful for drivetrain health... Nor is it awesome for the trails. Otherwise its a blast!

Who here can honestly say pelting through big puddles is not still hilarious fun...? I surely hope no one has grown out of the simple pleasure

 

[Cardy George]

Not me!!

 

[The Reverend]

Nope.
I was riding once and got caught in one. I stopped to catch my breath and looked up ahead as a huge branch fell on the trail close to where I'd have been.

That was enough of a message to me to get the hell out ASAP.

 

[sane]

We’ve all been caught out once or twice

 

[Haakon]

I got caught in one on NYE up on Mt Buller. 30kms through the ride, exhausted, hurting quite a bit from an epic crash, wet, cold and feeling generally beaten and broken...

Great ride, had a ball

 

[Flow-Rider]

I tried to beat a storm event a few months ago on the trails, the rain ended up stinging my face and back then it started to hail with loud claps of deafening thunder, not the smartest idea to ride in a storm.

 

[climberman]

who lies on sheets of ice?

Can't help but think of the Angels when I read this thread title!

 

[Chriso_29er]

Been hailed on a few times. But its Melbourne so you only have to endure bad weather for 20min tops then the sun comes back out

 

[ChrisJC]

Not intentionally; however I got caught in this one just before Christmas! It was dry when I lrft home!