General Discussion Triathlon Talk » bicycling in the rain Rss Feed  
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2005-04-21 5:54 PM

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Member
15

Mount Airy, maryland
Subject: bicycling in the rain
I have always skipped the cycling when it's raining. What do others do?


2005-04-21 6:00 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

I don't leave the house if it's raining hard. If it's sprinkling, or if there's a threat of rain, depends on how bad I want to ride. More often than not, I will. Have been caught in downpours.

Biggest headache about riding in the rain is having to wash, dry and re-lube after the ride. There are some safety considerations, but you may be surprised at how well your tires grip the wet road. You should slow down and exercise caution, may want to take some of the air out of your tires, but not many other problems.

2005-04-21 6:10 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Pro
4578
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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
Riding in the rain is something I do all winter. It sure beats snow. My advice... get fenders. Also a plastic jacket works well. Mine is not breathable, but it sure keeps you dry. It folds up small, so I carry it in the back of my jersey when it threatens to rain.

Have fun,
Jen
2005-04-21 6:14 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

I'm with bear (even if he likes SLOW bikes).  For regular training rides, I won't venture out if it's raining.  Will make the attempt with threat, but here in tornado alley if it starts to get nasty, I turn around!  But for rain or shine races...if it's raining...I still go.  I did a long ride once where it POURED on us for 50 miles.  Then it was drizzly and puddle splashy for the last 30-40 (total distance was 136).  I'd never ridden in the rain before that day so I was somewhat nervous (Read: Terrified on all big downhills).  But I just took it easy on curves and puddles.  I survived and didn't melt.  When I was done, I just took the bike to the LBS and had it tuned.

Lessons learned about riding in the rain:
1. It will probably be too dark for regular sunglasses.  But no glasses and some speed HURTS because the raindrops impacting your eyes doesn't feel so hot!  I now own a pair of clear lenses.
2. Railroad tracks get VERY slick when wet.
3. If you are drafting, you WILL get mud and water in the face.

2005-04-21 6:56 PM
in reply to: #146175

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St. Louis, MO
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I spent two days riding in rain during RAGBRAI last year (OK, not WHOLE days, but it might as well have been, it's all I can remember from those two days). It stinks, I hated it. I didn't melt, but if I have a choice, I won't ride in the rain or in major threat of rain. If I hit rain this year in RAGBRAI, I'll ride, if it rains on race day, I'll still participate. I won't like it, but I won't let it stop me when it counts.
2005-04-21 8:12 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
It's supposed to rain here Sat & I have a 90min bike ride planned.  If it's not pouring, I plan to go still.  I figure if it were a race I'd still go so I better learn how to handle it.


2005-04-21 8:47 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Regular
59
2525
Columbus, Ohio
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

Yeah, you definitely want some specs for your eyes. Shades are not a good idea because depending on how dark it is, you may not see puddles or even worse: potholes. They are no fun. I've never worn a jacket because I get too hot.

As long as it's not a cold rain, and it's not going to storm, I say go for a ride. I do try to stay away from lots of traffic because you never know when/if you'll get drenched by a passing car or truck. You'll be soaked by the end of the ride, but what the heck? You may not be able to go all-out, but it does beat the heck out of a trainer and staring at a wall for an hour.

2005-04-21 10:37 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Elite
2468
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Racine, WI
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I go, as long as there's no lightning and it's not horribly cold.  I even rode in the snow a couple of weeks ago (can you tell I'm still proud LOL?)  I have to look for those clear lenses tho...GREAT idea
2005-04-22 2:18 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Veteran
249
10010025
Cypress, Tx
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I love riding in the rain....makes you look hardcore.
2005-04-22 2:44 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
Been caught out in Florida downpours a few of times. The worst problem I've had is on busy roads where the bike lane floods due to the crown in the road and the sand that accumulates - very dicey handling. Forces you out into the main traffic lanes where drivers don't expect (or want) you to be. High winds don't help either.
Also agree with Bear about the hassle of having to clean the bike up afterwards.
Mark
2005-04-22 6:54 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Veteran
135
10025
PA
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
Unless we're having hurricane force winds, the rain is not a reason for me to stay off the bike.
When I do ride in a hard rain, I always make sure to take it nice and slow on the ride. Usually that means switching a workout so that the "rain day" becomes a pure aerobic ride.


2005-04-22 8:30 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Expert
1013
1000
White House, TN
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I was faced with this dilemma yesterday. It seems we are entering summer here in southern Georgia because our afternoon rain showers are starting again. (You always know when it's 2:30-4:00 in the afternoon because there'll be a short cloudburst.)

I opted for the ride for a lot of reasons:
1. I wanted to appear hardcore.
2. I REALLY wanted to ride (Darn Bear and Kim for throwing down the gauntlet!)
3. It seemed a good time to practice bike handling in wet/ sloppy weather.
4. I REALLY wanted to ride.
5. The pool was closed.
6. I REALLY wanted to ride.
7. I had missed my morning workout due to a mandatory urinalysis test.
8. I REALLY wanted to ride.
9. I didn't have any running clothes with me.
10. I REALLY wanted to ride.

So, I put in my planned 30 miles (+/- .5 mi.) in some lightly raining conditions. Actually, it was nice because the wet jersey kept me cooler than I had been before.
2005-04-22 8:57 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Champion
6786
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Two seat rocket plane
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

Mind the paint!

The paint stripes on the road are really slick when wet.

I ended up cutting my ride short because of rain last night too. I won't leave on a ride in the pouring rain, but ever the optimist, I'll leave in a drizzle thinking "it will slack up here in a minute"

2005-04-22 9:09 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Elite Veteran
617
500100
Roscoe, IL.
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

it's raining here today and I'm going for a short ride. Not on the good bike, not on the rode, (packed gravel trail) and not very fast. Things to consider;

tires will grip, caliper brakes will not.

oily center of the rode gets real slick, hitting the pavement hurts.

faint of heart stay home, riders in the rain get bragging rites.

disclaimer;

on the last point I don't have much freedom of speech considering my training log over the last three months.

2005-04-22 9:09 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Extreme Veteran
341
10010010025
Houston, TX
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I did the MS-150 from San Antonio to Corpus in October of last year and talk about miserable - It must have rained 3-4 hours on the first day. I think a lot of people gave up after the first couple of hours and just sat it out at various rest stops. It helped me get over my fear of riding under wet conditions though.

Now I don't mind so much - eh... if it rains, I get wet. I just hate to have to do the bike cleanup afterwards.

Good thinking about the clear lenses - I wore my sunglasses and could hardly see sometimes between the roostertail of the guy in front of me and how dark it got when it was raining.
2005-04-22 9:36 AM
in reply to: #146175

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Extreme Veteran
484
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McHenry, IL
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

I think it's a good idea to ride in the rain, at least sometimes, because it will help prepare you for the day when it's raining during one of your races.  If it's just raining, and not too cold, riding in the rain can be kind of fun.  You can only get so wet...after that, it just doesn't matter anymore.

I just skimmed the advice above...looks like lots of good safety tips.  Keep this one in mind...drivers might not expect to see cyclist out on the roads when it's raining, and their visibility is reduced.  Wear bright clothes and get a bright flashing light for the back of your bike.

-Steve



2005-04-22 9:51 AM
in reply to: #146175

Elite Veteran
1817
1000500100100100
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I rode two days of RAGBRAI last year in a nice, mild, non-windy kind of rain and it was actually kind of fun. This is the end of July, so it kept us from getting overheated. You just have to plan ahead with gear and so forth. As was stated previously, if you have no practice at all riding in the rain, you're going to come up short on bike handling skills on race day. Now, if in addition to raining it is also cold and windy, I'll take a pass.
2005-04-22 1:42 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Champion
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Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I commute to work from May until November, rain or shine.  Everything in my backpack is put into plastic bags to keep it dry and I take a shower when I get to work.  I have an aluminum road bike so I don't worry about it rusting all moving parts are greased well enough in advance.  I've been commuting to work for over 30 years without rainy days affecting either me or my bike adversely.
2005-04-22 2:51 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Veteran
152
1002525
Central Connecticut
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I think I might be faced with this delema on my commute home! I have my MTB so it shouldnt be that bad. My only concern is taking my laptop home, I wonder how waterproof my messenger bag REALLY is.

I really need it for a paper for Gradschool. What a way to start commuting to work by bike!
2005-04-22 4:24 PM
in reply to: #146385

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Master
1249
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Lexington, Kentucky
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
For those of us that want to step up and not be weather wimps - exactly what maintenance & cleaning do you do to your bike after riding in the rain?
2005-04-22 4:33 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Champion
4902
20002000500100100100100
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain

Rower, wrap your computer in a plastic bag before putting in the messenger bad.

Tim, I just dry off the bike with a cloth before bringing it into the house.  If it is a particularly heavy rainfall and the bike is covered in mud, I hose it down; if a hosing is not enough, I wash it with soapy water, rinse it and then grease it before putting it away. 



2005-04-22 6:16 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Member
15

Mount Airy, maryland
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
I am glad for the responses. You have educated me and made me realize that riding in the rain shouldn't be avoided outright. I'm going to toughen up. I better buy some rain gear or something. It's not warm enough to get soaking wet and enjoy it.
I will try to find a route without all the hills.



Edited by 3spd 2005-04-22 6:42 PM
2005-04-22 6:31 PM
in reply to: #146175

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Veteran
204
100100
Gif-sur-Yvette
Subject: RE: bicycling in the rain
For rainny weather I wear a Goretex light jumper, trousers and gloves. I wear Goretex covers for the shoes especially in cold weather with or without rain. I have clear lenses glasses for dark days.I liked the advice about the rear flashing lights. I do put those on in day time just in case.
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