God didnt want me to celebrate my mom's birthday, then he tried to hit me with a lightning bolt......

so i was riding home for my mom's birthday, about 150 miles away.   It was kinda drizzling when i left, but ive ridden in rain plenty of times before so i didnt think twice about it.  About 10 mins into the trip back, it starts PPOOOUUURRRING.  As in water cascading down the road pouring, like cars pulling off the road cuz the couldnt see pouring.  But, even with the heavy rain, i could still see fine through my visor (rain-x  :mrgreen: ), and my tires wernt slipping at all, so i kept going.  All of a sudden i hear a big BOOM and for a split second all i saw was a white light.  Turns out A bolt of lightning hit a tree about 50 feet to the right off me as i was driving by.  I immediately stopped, (in the middle of the road) turned around, and went back to my apartment.  I was still shaking when i got home.

and i didnt make it home for my mom's birthday  :x

What a puss!

um ya i dont screw around with lightening

I have no doubt whatsoever that I love YOU would rather celebrate late and have you SAFE!!!  

Zeus smote the wretched tree with his mighty thunderbolt, forged for him by the cyclops. Be glad it didn't hit you. Glad you're safe though, better that than a scorching pile of goo on the road.

You misunderstood the sign.  It was supposed to be a "Hurry up!" and you were supposed ride faster.   :mrgreen:

If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."

I posted a news article a wile back about 3 bikers that got struck by lightning.. Those geniusses stood under a tree for "protection" from the rain  :mrgreen:  Harley riders are soo cool...  

I've ridden in thunder/lightning storms before (I'm an idiot), and I don't scare easy but a couple times I've been like WHOAH that was close..you see the flash and hear the crack and you blink just to know you are still alive.   Being on a bike gives you a whole new perspective!!

The past tense is smote.  Unless you were smitten.  Which I have been, in the past, although usually with bikes...   :mrgreen:

Fine fine, I'll edit my post. Jeeeeeze. You'd think making some classical mythology reference would cause you to become smitten, but gawrsh :lol:

were you in a pretty urban area?

we've been having some thunderstorms here and i've wondered about the safety of riding during thunderstorms.  the GS being my only vehicle it's either ride in the rain or take the bus.

Oh, I was most impressed; I just don't look any different when I am.

Interesting Q - I wouldn't think the low height of the GS (or its moderate insulation from ground) would make it that good of a lightning rod (hence, hitting the tree)...


Low height and bad ground compared to trees and buildings, that is.  If you live in Nebraska...

Quote from: RoadstergalLow height and bad ground compared to trees and buildings, that is.  If you live in Nebraska...

Or just do like I do, and live in socal. Rain? What's that?

(appologies to those who's riding season is ending)

Winter? End of riding season? What's that? It's still over 100F here. Regularly. I don't even see the end of riding season on the horizon.

I've been led to believe (by our friendly local Houstonian) that Winter was the start of the Texas riding season.

Depending on your gear, it doesn't ever have to end. I just bought a full leather jacket so I can keep warm during the winter weeks (well, that and it's track legal). It's a lot easier here to stay warm, but a lot harder to stay cool. Do you know how FAST you have to go? :lol:

You can get one of those hydrated vests for the summer...  And a down jacket to go over your leathers for the winter.   :mrgreen:

Doesn't it figure, I open my big mouth about how it never rains. Me and the wife head up big bear, and duh.. it rains...

I love storms on the bike... with tires that arent at the wear bars you will not hydroplane... trust me.

The other year I had gone to the doctor and on my way back there was a huge storm cell between where I was and where I lived... I opted to go right through it. On the freeway cars were going like 40mph due to an incredibly intense downpour. then the rain got even worse and they slowed to about 25mph.. so I got on the passing lane and was soon passing about a line up of 75 cars and I was doing about 55mph perfectly fine (polishing your shield does wonders for visibility!)  when the lightning became frightenly close (trees on the median got hit!!!) all the cars put on their four way flashers and pulled over. I figured there was no way I was pulling over besides a field on my bike so I cranked on her and ended up doing 70-75mph. Lightning was pretty much all over so it was exiting to say the least.

Then I got on an exchange ramp to go on another freeway and this ramp elevated higher than the trees, anybody here thats been real close to lightning knows what I mean when I say that you "feel" when lightning is gonna come close, like its aiming for you. The easiest way to explain it is you feel like you have ALOT of static electricity around you and the hair in the back of your neck is standing... just when I was thinking I should go even faster until I get back to lower ground a lightning bolt hits the light pole right next to me (maybe 25 ft)... I felt a painfull static shock on my left hand since it was touching the clutch lever... so then I decited to floor it and hit the next exit.

Stopped at a gas bar and there was a few firetrucks stopped in the road, lighting had stuck the house next to the gas bar.. so I stayed there until the lightning slowed before taking off again. Weird thing is, as scary as it was, it was probably one of the funnest motorcycle experience i've had (yeah ok im a bit nuts.. lol).

dont mind the novel, but I get into details when recalling situations like that lol