I was thinking how happy I was that I had never heard about biker being struck by lightening. I guess I needed to know. I'll have to be more careful in the future. But I don't know how to really prevent that other than staying off the road.
While on our way home in 2003 during a 2-month ride through the Northwest, Navigator and I were riding through Montana. It was overcast and obviously raining between us and a reservation where we would find fuel. About 25 miles from the reservation, it began to drizzle and lightning began hitting the ground a long distance from us. I had my left hand relaxing and touching metal on the handlebar. I lightning bolt quite a distance off caused a slight shock. It felt just like when I was a kid rubbing my feet across the carpet and touching the metal tinsel on the Christmas tree ... "Pop." It got my attention, and we stopped to put on our rain suits and rubber gloves. We did ride into a very heavy rain within minutes. I can't tell you how wonderful it felt getting off of the bike and into a schoolhouse on the reservation. Riding into storms in the open desert or plains now worries me.
Ride Safe, all.
