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I never used to get bothered by riding in the rain. I've got enough waterproof gear that it's not really uncomfortable to ride in the rain, so as long as it wasn't a storm, I kinda enjoyed it.

Anyway, I've been reading the odd article about motorcyclists not being protected by a Faraday cage (unlike cars), which I never really considered. Anyone out there bothered at the thought of getting struck by lightning while riding?

Yes... I actually pull over and hope it crosses the highway before continuing.

I'm bothered by the thought but I've never actually pulled off the road because of it. Is it gonna make a difference whether I'm sitting on my bike or standing somewhere beside the road?

I'm much more worried about idiotic cage drivers, dumb animals and unexpected road hazards than I am about lightning strikes.

I think I posted this before, but I was badly startled by lightning in 2008, while out touring. The bolt came down in a field next to the road, about 150 away from me. You feel the concussion through the bike at that distance. Wife & I were only a mile from our destination (although we didn't realize it at the time), and upon arriving, abandoned the bikes in the driveway and ran into the B&B. One lightning bolt was enough for us chickens!!

Funny thing was it wasn't an obvious thunderstorm. It had been low gray skies and on-and-off drizzle and light rain for several hours. This was at Maitland, Nova Scotia (near Truro).

So ever since, when caught out riding in a thunderstorm, you'll see me casting a baleful eye at the skies and muttering unpleasantries. I don't like lightning.

jstark47 wrote:This was at Maitland, Nova Scotia (near Truro).

Is that why you were so pale and wide-eyed when we met you on the Cabot Trail?

This actually happened a day later. The night after we met you guys we stayed on Cape Breton down near Port Hawkesbury. This was the day after that, we were heading back on the mainland. It started raining before Antigonish and rained all the way past Truro.

If I was wide-eyed when you saw me, it was from riding around North Mountain and the hill above Pleasant Bay. That's all a tad steep for a New Jersey boy!!

Gummiente wrote:I'm much more worried about idiotic cage drivers, dumb animals and unexpected road hazards than I am about lightning strikes.

Oh yeah, I definitely know I'm far more likely to get hit by a car than be struck by lightning.

But it's vaguely reassuring to know you have some control over cagers, road hazards, and to a lesser extent animals, by riding defensively, being more visible and situationally aware, etc. Lighting freaks me out because it's unpredictable and you really can't do anything about it.

I have been scared pretty good by both wind and lightning and it stinks to know your powerless to do anything about it!!!

Hey friends, fell upon this earlier today and just wanted to share with you...
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Pre- ... 16901.html
Perhaps, this incredible incident will really show what could happen anywhere..I never thought about the danger of not having any protection in this type of a storm as you would have in a cage. Hope this will give some insight for all. Safe riding, TourGAL2012