Modern Vespa

Well, for only the second time in two years I got it hugely wrong. Normally I monitor the rain radar on our local weather website. Yesterday afternoon I decided to make a run for it on the GT200 in front of a large storm front.
I lost.

I was crossing our harbour bridge when it hit. Torrential rain, large hail and lightning far to close for comfort. The GT was magnificent. The rain and hail was so heavy cars were stopping on the motorway as their wipers couldn't cope and visibility was so limited.

I pressed on at about 25 km/h and arrived home drenched, bruised (from the hail) but safe.

My newish modular helmet from Nitro was brilliant. No leaking, no fogging, no worries Mate

It was one hell of a ride and not one I am keen to repeat but in a way I feel I am richer for the experience.

RESPECT Boulty. I haven't experienced hail on my rides but have put up with heavy rain and a fair bit of strong gale force wind.
It's kinda of a initiation eh? Once you've done it, you have a certain respect for nature and what it can do and fling at you.

+1
Again, I haven't suffered hail but I have copped strong winds and rain so hard that cars were pulling over......nowhere to hide once you're on a bridge. Lightning would scare the stuffing out of me.

Did your GT cop any dings from the hail??? I guess the lack of horizontal surfaces on a Vespa might help out in this regard.

Glad to hear that I am not the only one who keeps an eye on the weather radar! I keep it running next to my email on a fairly constant basis. Having it posted on the internet is one of the best innovations of the web since ... well, since forever!

Christine, if you read this, you and your colleagues are doing a helluva great job!

Thnks for the positive comments.
All sweet today - sun is out again and the GT started first time after the drenching.
Found out my Laptop got a little condensation dampness in my backpack but it has spent the night in the hotwater cupboard and seeems fine today.

No dings from hail. We rarely get the golfball sized stuff here like I have seen on the overseas news. This was more like fingernail size but it still hurt like hell!

Anyway, Spring has returned with a vengance and Summer is just around the corner.

wooo hooo another REAL rider!

bruised? how big were the hail stones/boulders?