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ride in the rain?
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 2006-04-19 12:00 PM |
New user 37  Charlotte, NC |  Subject: ride in the rain?I've only been riding for about 8 weeks now, 2-3 times a week, and I guess I've been lucky because all of my ride days have been with good weather. But today it's pouring out. There was lightening and thunder earlier, but now it's just raining really hard. Today is my bike day, tomorrow and Friday are swim days and Saturday is a run day. I won't be biking again until my long ride on Sunday. I can't switch days because I'm with a swim coach on Thurs and Friday. Do you guys ride in the rain? Does it depend on if it's raining hard or just sprinkling? What do you do differently? Just go slower or what? I just recently (okay, this past Sunday) got comfortable going downhill without braking, I'm such a newbie.  |
| 2006-04-19 12:02 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Pro 4100  Wherever the trail takes me, WA. | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? Being from Seattle we have 2 choices.. Stay inside and bike on the trainer... or GET OUTSIDE. It is not too bad if you have the right rain gear. Just be careful. Roads are slick, cars don't have a great vision, and you will want to go faster to think that you will somehow get finished with your ride quicker. Don't. Be careful |
| 2006-04-19 12:07 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Master 2033 | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? LOL... Another Seattle guy here. I ride in lite rain but if it is really bad I put the bike on the trainer or run instead. Rain gear helps a ton. I use clear sunglasses and a good waterproof wind breaker with long cycling tights. Be sure to clean and re lube your bike after a wet ride. |
| 2006-04-19 12:09 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Master 1384 Brooklyn, NY | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? No better time than to practice in case there is rain on race day. There are very few things that keep me inside and lightning is one of them. You will be sitting on a very conductive peice of metal (or part of it). Just go slower than usual and give yourself plenty of time to break. Go to an isolated area and practice breaking and swerving. The rain will teach you respect if you push it. |
| 2006-04-19 12:12 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Veteran 270 Tuscaloosa, AL | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? Go a little slower. Road paint is slick as owl poopy when wet. Brake a few seconds before you think you need to. Wipe the mouthpiece on your bottles before you drink. Take it easy and have fun. |
| 2006-04-19 12:28 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Extreme Veteran 707 pnw | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? I live in Seattle and I own a trainer  I don't head out in the rain but have ended up wet a a number of times. When it is raining I run outdoors, ride indoors or swim. But I also get to sneak away when it is sunny a majority of time for those great mid week rides. Pays to be flexiable. Riding in thunder and lightening isn't a great idea. |
| 2006-04-19 12:32 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Pro 4100 Wherever the trail takes me, WA. | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? Why is everyone from Seattle?? What the heck!?!? |
| 2006-04-19 12:33 PM in reply to: #400255 |
Arch-Bishop of BT 10278 Pittsburgh | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? |
| 2006-04-19 12:39 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Pro 4545 Orange Park Florida | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? The folks that mentioned watching out for cars are very wise people. It would be a good day to take your bike to a "rail to trail" kind of place. You will still have the rain to deal with but you won't have to worry about cars not being able to see you. We get plenty of "liquid sunshine" down here in sunny Florida too. Be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 2006-04-19 2:54 PM in reply to: #400232 |
| Master 2629 brummie land | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? hey, i live in manchester, england - rain capital of the country. get out there, be safe and wear a good waterproof jacket and skin tight tights - they tend to dry off better as you go along. have fun! |
| 2006-04-21 9:11 AM in reply to: #400232 |
Extreme Veteran 620 Illinois | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? Ok how about rain on race day strategies? The weather I am looking at is rain, winds 10mph, temp 68. Should I ride my training wheels with lower pressure tires or bump up to the glue on's (never ridden glue on's in the rain)? Am I going to be looking at being to cold if I push into the 20mph? I am a total newbie to riding in rain because I have always been a whimp andgone inside when it rains. Looks like I wont have a choice now and I have little to no practice! Thanks in advance. |
| 2006-04-21 9:32 AM in reply to: #402501 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? luv2flyjrn - 2006-04-21 9:11 AM Ok how about rain on race day strategies? The weather I am looking at is rain, winds 10mph, temp 68. Should I ride my training wheels with lower pressure tires or bump up to the glue on's (never ridden glue on's in the rain)? Am I going to be looking at being to cold if I push into the 20mph? I am a total newbie to riding in rain because I have always been a whimp andgone inside when it rains. Looks like I wont have a choice now and I have little to no practice! Thanks in advance. 68F means that it will not be bad at all. I raced a du a couple weeks ago that started about 10deg lower than that and finished 20+deg lower. I wore a long-sleeve jersey which was a little overkill until the temps began to fall (and the wind & rain picked up). For you, no need for even that. In the rain, you just have to be more careful especially on cornering, braking, etc. Keeping tire pressure on the lower side of your normal range might help some. Can't give you advice on clincher/tubular as I never rode tubs, but I don't think the choice should be dictated by weather. |
| 2006-04-21 1:04 PM in reply to: #402501 |
Extreme Veteran 471 Northern Virginia | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? it's fine to ride in the rain. you have to be careful of paint/oil on the roads, but other than that it is not very dangerous at all (fyi - bikes don't hydroplane: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#hydroplaning) i find that as long as i can stay warm, i like it. it is less crowded and kind of peaceful. lightning is another issue though. although....carbon fiber doesn't attract lightning! maybe i need a new bike. you know, just for safety... |
| 2006-04-21 1:54 PM in reply to: #400232 |
Supersonicus Idioticus 2439 Thunder Bay, ON | Subject: RE: ride in the rain? i wont go out if it's raining, but i'll ride if the rainman decides it should start raining after i start |
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