Minding my own business when Hell's gates open!

[Ericthejet]

I was on the interstate, going south back home after a quick 10 mile ride to Springfield VT.
Dark clouds, thunder and some bolts from the sky look to be heading east ( I'm heading south ) so onward I go, 5 minutes at most.

2 miles from my exit I pass a large truck at 140kph on damp roads as I race the storm to my exit. As I pass the truck on a long downhill section prior to a bridge (200 meters in length)
the skies open up, the wind picks up from dead calm to gale and all I can think about is the truck coming down the hill.

My speed was about 40 kph, the wind and rain did their best to blow me off the bridge and the fool ahead of me had no tail lights. Forward visability was maybe 4-6 meters at best.
I didn't think I was going to make it across the bridge and for the first time in 22 years of riding I felt as though the wind/rain could actually blow me over. That would have
been bad as the truck had still not passed me. I could barley see out thru the visor, the wind was still doing it's best as it drove the rain into my body
and did it's best to overcome my rain suit. I creeped across the bridge, and pulled over ahead of a white Buick that had pulled off at the entrance to my exit. The truck went by as I sat there with the 4 ways flashing trying to maintain my balance in the gale. It slowed enough for me to round the exit and seek cover down under the overpass. More thunder and rain for a solid 10 minutes. It slowed and I made a dash home to the safety of my garage. MY gloves and helmet are going to take a year to dry.

I have been caught in rain before but not like that. It was really, really bad. For the first time that I can remember I was afraid of the possible outcome as I was crossing the bridge not knowing where the truck was or if he could see me at all. If it had just been heavy rain I could have checked my mirrors or look back but that wind had other plans. I'm glad my bike is heavy and that my Michelins like the rain.

I don't think I will ever experience that kind of storm again or the suddenness. Here's hoping I'm on a smaller road next time.

So, what did you do Tuesday night?

[schleppy]

I didn't go for a ride because of the same storm you were caught in!

That's one reason I haven't ridden lately. I don't want to get stuck in one of these 10 minute uber storms. Especially not in traffic.

[Half Squid]

All the online weather radars said 7pm is when the T-Storms would pass my area, so I stayed at work until Quarter to 6 and headed home. Not even a mile from my house and the sky opened up. I got soaked right to the bone.

Dag nabbit.... Still worth the savings in gas compared to my F150.