07/04/25 at 11:51am
  Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board › Riding › Trail Talk › Shocking experience at whitewater center
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Print
Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Shocking experience at whitewater center (Read 1514 times)
TheGrimRider
Newbie
*
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 3
Joined: 12/07/14
Shocking experience at whitewater center
11/29/15 at 10:25pm
Print Post  
Just as a warning to others, today I literally had a shocking experience in the whitewater center parking lot. I parked near the trailhead under the power lines. I keep my bike on a thule roof rack on top of a small suv. When I went to take my bike off my car I got a shock every time I touched my bike. It took me two or three good shocks to realize what was happening. It was painful enough that I could not take my bike off and I had to move my car to a different part of the parking lot not under the power lines.

Apparently you don't have to be touching and just have to be in close proximity to high voltage power lines to get electrocuted. Looking around online some power authorities recommend that you do not drive vehicles greater than 14 feet tall under high voltage power line. My car with the bike on top is about 10 feet. Since the rack I use keeps the wheels on the bike and clamps the wheels and not the frame to the rack, I believe my bike was insulated from my car and every time I touched my bike I was completing a circuit to the ground with my metal bike cleats. Thankfully it was just a painful shock and nothing more.

This is just a warning to others with roof racks. Definitely an experience I will avoid in the future....
« Last Edit: 11/29/15 at 10:26pm by TheGrimRider »  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
sager
Big Ring
*****
Offline


Waiting for my next ride!

Posts: 1343
Location: Charlotte
Joined: 11/02/08
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #1 - 11/29/15 at 11:13pm
Print Post  
You can get shocked just riding your bike under them. It's a bit uncomfortable to the tender bits.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
FredRubble
Little Ring
****
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 509
Location: Mineral Springs
Joined: 05/28/14
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #2 - 11/29/15 at 11:13pm
Print Post  
That's been going on for yrs out there..... Wait til' winter!  its worse when the air is nice and dry....   Welcome to the club.... Ha!
« Last Edit: 11/29/15 at 11:14pm by FredRubble »  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Specialist
Little Ring
****
Offline


The rider formerly known
as "Trekker1"

Posts: 694
Location: Charlotte
Joined: 05/11/12
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #3 - 11/29/15 at 11:30pm
Print Post  
I noticed as soon as the air got thin that I could put my hand on the car or the bike frame and feel it vibrating - that's when I moved the car. 

I don't like it when my bike vibrates. Doesn't seem safe to put my "tender bits" anywhere near high voltage. Kids might come out funny.  Cheesy
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
crackednipples
Big Ring
*****
Offline



Posts: 1115
Location: Charlotte
Joined: 11/01/08
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #4 - 11/30/15 at 12:00am
Print Post  
I always park under them and usually get a good pinch to the sack riding back to the car with a damp chamois......  Shocked
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Huh? Right. What? Uhh Huh? What? Right. Uhh
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
The Cycle Path
IB Room
In The Loop
Project Board
Offline


Treasurer '11 to '18.
Trail Chair '12-'18,
'20-'21

Posts: 11858
Location: Lake Norman
Joined: 08/04/03
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #5 - 11/30/15 at 1:07am
Print Post  
It's always been like that since the trail was built back in the early 90's.  It's not a direct shock from the power lines but an inductive current from the magnetic field from the high voltage lines. Smiley  Quite "shocking" in the summer when you're all sweaty and get a "pinch" from the seat rails!
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
We carry the finest from Specialized, Yeti, Transition, and Kona.
Back to top
WWWFacebook  
IP Logged
 
IntheBush
Big Ring
*****
Offline



Posts: 2031
Location: South of the border
Joined: 10/30/09
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #6 - 11/30/15 at 1:33am
Print Post  
Thanks for the heads up.  Smiley

I always wondered what could happen when I'm paddling my kayak under them at Cane Creek park.

Now, I think I'll paddle a little faster.

Imagine if one of them fell into the water. Better plan on levitating.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
TheGrimRider
Newbie
*
Offline


Work Ride Tarheel Trailblazers

Posts: 3
Joined: 12/07/14
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #7 - 11/30/15 at 1:41am
Print Post  
Haha, youch damp chamois! I'll keep that in mind  Shocked
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Locomoto
Small Cog
***
Offline


I Love YaBB 2!

Posts: 417
Joined: 02/13/06
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #8 - 12/01/15 at 3:14pm
Print Post  
Brings back memories of the old power line climb that was part of the main trail before the whitewater center was built.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
The Cycle Path
IB Room
In The Loop
Project Board
Offline


Treasurer '11 to '18.
Trail Chair '12-'18,
'20-'21

Posts: 11858
Location: Lake Norman
Joined: 08/04/03
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #9 - 12/01/15 at 4:21pm
Print Post  
Locomoto wrote on 12/01/15 at 3:14pm:
Brings back memories of the old power line climb that was part of the main trail before the whitewater center was built. 

Oooo...forgot about that one!  Or the Desert Storm climb.  I always hated that climb!  Angry
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
We carry the finest from Specialized, Yeti, Transition, and Kona.
Back to top
WWWFacebook  
IP Logged
 
SycoCell
Coaster Bike
**
Offline


I can ride my bike with
no handlebars

Posts: 163
Joined: 04/21/14
Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #10 - 12/02/15 at 5:54pm
Print Post  
You guys that are getting pinched in the goodies - you're just not grounded right.  If the so-called object in discussion reaches the ground, that'll ground you perfectly and won't get shocked!
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
JasonK
Ex Member


Re: Shocking experience at whitewater center
Reply #11 - 12/02/15 at 9:55pm
Print Post  
I got one on the inner thigh from a seat rail once too - Zap! It's a right of passage brah.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) (Attachment deleted)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Print
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
 
  « Board Index ‹ Board Top  

Tarheel Trailblazers Message Board » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2025. All Rights Reserved.