Electrical shock

[DarnYankeeUSMC]

Today it was 90 degrees, the highest temp so far this year. I went on my normal bike ride. Probably pushed it a little harder than normal cuz it was first ride on a new bike. Was sweating pretty good as I rode up the final hill about 8 miles into the ride. Almost at the top of the hill I passed under some high voltage lines and noticed the buzzing from them was louder than normal.At about the same time I thought I was being bee stung on my inner thigh. I reached down the rid the bee from my shorts and ZAP!! the shock ran up my arm into my neck from my leg. Crap!!! it hurt. I thought I was gonna piss myself.
Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[JJones75]

Re: Electrical shock

I've been popped by static electricity a couple time from working near a substation during a foggy day.

 

[Nate O.]

Re: Electrical shock

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DarnYankeeUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Today it was 90 degrees, the highest temp so far this year. I went on my normal bike ride. Probably pushed it a little harder than normal cuz it was first ride on a new bike. Was sweating pretty good as I rode up the final hill about 8 miles into the ride. Almost at the top of the hill I passed under some high voltage lines and noticed the buzzing from them was louder than normal.At about the same time I thought I was being bee stung on my inner thigh. I reached down the rid the bee from my shorts and ZAP!! the shock ran up my arm into my neck from my leg. Crap!!! it hurt. I thought I was gonna piss myself.
Has this happened to anyone else? </div></div>

What!? Did you call the power company and tell them they had a line down? If it was a "high voltage line" you wouldn't be tellin us about it. None the less, I hope you called it in, so no one else got tangled up in it. If your leg starts swellin' up, get into the hospital and get it checked out. When you get electrocuted, you get cooked along the bones and major veins. If you truly did get electrocuted the worst is yet to come. Good luck.

 

[wirehand]

Re: Electrical shock

Yeah, could be a step potential.

 

[WhiskeyWebber]

Re: Electrical shock

I've seen St Elmos fire around the frame of my bike just before a thunderstorm... that'll take a minute off of your best mile. I didn't know what to do so I pedaled like my life depended on it. Luckily I didn't get struck.

I've never heard of your situation before. I have seen people light up fluorescent lights just by standing underneath high power lines. There is a tremendous field built by the e's running through those things. What is the frame material of your bike?

 

[Ol' RD]

Re: Electrical shock

Wirehand is right, it was probably step potential. Call it in, and consider yourself very lucky. Normally it drops you like a bad habit if you sweating heavy. Power company has something leaking current into the ground in that area. Need to report it to get it fixed. but it should be showing up on their grid system as loss.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Electrical shock

hope you have kids already

 

[DarnYankeeUSMC]

Re: Electrical shock

Called the local power company's engineers and they were concerned about it and asked me several quetions and for exact location. They forwarded info on to TVA who has ownership of the high voltage transmission lines.
I avoided the area for a few weeks. I rode thru the area again last week and got zapped again. I was riding an all aluminum road bike both times. I rode a steel mtn bike thru there yesterday and today with no problem.
I guess another call is in order.

 

[xs hedspace]

Re: Electrical shock

That electrical field under high voltage lines is dependent on how much power/current is being used, so hot days, more field. The aluminum frame bike is acting like a pickup coil, the loops of the frame and the wheels are like the old AM radio antenna coils, so it's possible to get a generated voltage on the bike frame. Also, in hot weather, the lines get longer, from heating, and sag closer to the ground, making the field effect higher at the ground level. I'll bet you could light a florescent bulb, just by holding it over your head under these lines---hey, idea for bike riding at night- ducttape a bulb on your bike!! But, there still could be a broken ground wire, or insulator on a pole in that area, making it more dangerous. Power co should investigate.