Lightning strikes!

[jeneralist]

Someone in Colorado was killed while riding yesterday: even ATGATT won't protect you from being hit by lightning!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13471386/

The lightning also blew an 18-by-8-by-4 crater in the highway.

[kbasa]

Yikes.

[mcmxcivrs]

I was aware of that having happened to other riders in the past and was thinking about it the other day on my way to work while the lightning flashed ahead of me. It was a ways off, but still a risk. The wind and the rain are just minor incovieniences by comparrison to the threat of getting zapped. One of the few times its better to be in a cage.

[MCOHEN]

This is a good opportunity to remind everyone about the dangers of lightning. It's rare to get struck but while you're out riding and see lightning in the distance it's a good time to take a break--gas up the bike, have some lunch, etc. Automobiles provide drivers with protection through the metal cage around them but motorcyclists are exposed (the rubber tires provide no protection).

My significant other called me yesterday as she was gearing up to leave work. She remarked about a lighting strike near her office and wanting to get home before the rain. She got onto her Beemer, rode down Church Ranch Boulevard and noticed a back up of traffic to the on-ramp to US 36 she wanted to take. She could see traffic was stopped on the highway with flashing lights around an accident just up the road. She took the side streets down to the next highway entrance, past the accident, and continued down the highway home. It wasn't until watching the news later she and I learned the lightning she had seen had killed a motorcyclist on the highway she would be taking a few minutes later.

More info: 9News , Rocky Mountain News

Michael Cohen
Art Director, BMW ON

[hlothery]

The unbelievable part is the last line of the story, mentioning that he was wearing a helmet.........as if!

[widebmw]

The unbelievable part is the last line of the story, mentioning that he was wearing a helmet.........as if!

A chrome helmet with a # 4 ground to the frame and a chain from the frame dragging along the ground.

I wonder.

The last time I was riding around lightning we were north of Hanksville, UT
and there was no where to go for cover.
We just went on to Hanksville, but I did not like it.

[dancogan]

Someone in Colorado was killed while riding yesterday: even ATGATT won't protect you from being hit by lightning!

So maybe someone could tell us, what's the safest thing to do if caught out in the open during a thunderstorm? Maybe we'd be better off sitting by the side of the road, away from the bike, in as low a posture as possible?

I've been caught on bicycle in the Rockies in thunderstorms, and it's no fun at all! I was descending Independence Pass and actually rode down into the storm.

[Rod Sheridan]

OK, I'll ask, what does ATGATT stand for?

Regards, Rod

[Bob_M]

OK, I'll ask, what does ATGATT stand for?

Regards, Rod

All the gear all the time.

[Rod Sheridan]

Thanks............Rod.

[sfarson]

The unbelievable part is the last line of the story, mentioning that he was wearing a helmet.........as if!

Well, some do survive the strike. Have seen images of golfers burned through their shoulder or elsewhere and having survived. If going down, give me the lid.

Colorado and Florida are the two highest states in terms of lightning fatalities. A Harley rider in my county was hit by a strike on Hwy 24 SW of Hartsel two years ago. Didn't survive. Recall a well-known BMW rider getting hit a year ago in Virginia.

It is really dangerous above timberline here, hiking/climbing. Have come across a number of memorials dedicated to individuals hit by lightning at the spot I'm standing as I read the plaque. Causes one to consider things.

Think the best choice when riding is to pull over and take a break if significant electrical activity is nearby.

[SHERIDESABEEMER]

The unbelievable part is the last line of the story, mentioning that he was wearing a helmet.........as if!

There must be some journalistic requirement that one indicates the helmet status of each and every motorcyclist who is involved in an incident. The person could keel over from a heart attack at the lights and they would report if s/he was wearing a helmet! Is anyone a journalist, is this on the test?

[Bob_M]

There must be some journalistic requirement that one indicates the helmet status of each and every motorcyclist who is involved in an incident. The person could keel over from a heart attack at the lights and they would report if s/he was wearing a helmet!

The media measures the reasonable judgement and level of personal responsibility of a motorcyclist by helmet use. The message is that smart, careful motorcyclists wear helmets and irresponsible flakes do not. In other words the media shapes impressions for judgement as to weather the motorcyclist was a bad citizen and deserved to be injured (killed) or if the rider was a good person and the undeserving victum of random and cruel circumstance. In this instance the rider was wearing a helmet and therefore did not deserve to be struck by lightning
(Film at 11:00)

[DMR]

As a fisherman and motorcyclist, that is the one thing that will make me stop. The comment about Hanksville reminded me of being in the same area under the same circumstances. There really is no place to go.

The media no longer simply reports. They are now in the business of deciding what is fair and right. It's not just motorcycles, it's anyone accused of a crime, or any rumor of wrongdoing. "Just provide the pictures, I'll provide the facts."

ATGATT- my version is FAATT. Fully armored all the time. Besides, it sounds like PHAT and it makes people wonder.

[bmwdean]

Lightning kills poster.