Cyclist Quote
Cyclist Quote
(OP)
Found the following quote on a cycling forum and wondered what you guys thought about it. Not sure if vehicles means cars or bicycles. Not even sure if he really means transmission poles or just your average medium voltage distribution pole line.
"I'm an electrical engineer in Australia, and often get caught in remote locations with overhead powerlines during lightning events.
When we have no other options for shelter, we park our vehicles underneath the powerlines exactly between two transmission poles, on the basis that the overhead wiring will conduct the strikes to ground via the poles. This may come in handy for any roadies caught out in the middle of nowhere."
"I'm an electrical engineer in Australia, and often get caught in remote locations with overhead powerlines during lightning events.
When we have no other options for shelter, we park our vehicles underneath the powerlines exactly between two transmission poles, on the basis that the overhead wiring will conduct the strikes to ground via the poles. This may come in handy for any roadies caught out in the middle of nowhere."






RE: Cyclist Quote
Of course a well grounded shelter will not only shield you from lightning, but also from rain.
RE: Cyclist Quote
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RE: Cyclist Quote
RE: Cyclist Quote
RE: Cyclist Quote
"Throughout space there is energy. Is this energy static or kinetic! If static our hopes are in vain; if kinetic — and this we know it is, for certain — then it is a mere question of time when men will succeed in attaching their machinery to the very wheelwork of nature". – Nikola Tesla
RE: Cyclist Quote
This question has to be about being caught out while cycling.
Being caught way out in the flats, it would be best to lay down prone far from your bike - perhaps 100ft.
I suspect the real issue is not getting mucky and so avoiding laying down by instead "hiding" under power lines.
I agree I've never heard of cut lines by lightning. But has a power pole ever been splintered by a stroke? If so the splinters or the dropped lines would probably be fatal.
Trees often explode violently from internal steam over-pressure, but they usually aren't water logged.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Cyclist Quote
RE: Cyclist Quote
The best option during lightning storm is remain in the vehicle without touching metal with the windows closed to form a Faraday cage.
If a person is forced to be out, stay away from trees, power lines and tall structures with the feeds closed together and without touching anything to minimize the chance of large step and touch potentials.
Although there is significant number of casualty by lightning, the good news is mostpeopple stricken by lightning survive.