Mountain Biking - Rain! Ride or No Ride?

Interesting thing happened to my wife and I at one of the trails we frequent. This was an all dayer for us, so we got there early and planned three different rides that day. The Parking lot was about half full with a lot of others heading out at around the same time (Probably 20-25 cars, so figure 30-40 people total on the trails).

It was slightly overcast as we headed out for our first ride. Had a great ride, no problems had a lot of fun and then came back and ate lunch. During lunch, an early afternoon rainshower moved through and saturated the area. (Typical Florida Rain Storm - Lasted no more than 20 minutes (No Lightning))

EVERYONE VACATED THE AREA!

My wife and I looked at each other and laughed! It was now 10 degrees cooler, the trails drain quickly so erosion isn't a big issue, with no one else on the trails, we headed out for our 2nd ride. Now with wet roots, a simple trail, became intermediate level and a lot more fun!! We had the best rides of our lives!!! The sandy sections were hardpacked and fast, yet traction was abundant. The roots were slippery and challenging, yet a blast! And we had the whole place to ourselves.

What gives? I thought mountain bikers loved to get muddy and wet. Were we just dealing with a bunch of wimps this day?

Our third ride was just as much fun, but by the end of the day we didn't have the speed and finesse we had early. Plus, the trails were getting busy again.

My question is this. Do you ride in the rain or stay home? If it starts raining do you stay out on the trails or head back to the car? If you don't ride, why not? If you do, why?

Maybe it's just us, but my wife and I love the rain. We love to ride in the rain and we love to go jogging, swimming, private intimate activities:blush:...etc., in the rain. Obviously, if there's lightning we don't, but barring that, if it's wet we're wet.

Are we strange?

Later Gator:dance:

Originally posted by vfboomer
Maybe it's just us, but my wife and I love the rain. We love to ride in the rain and we love to go jogging, swimming, private intimate activities:blush:...etc., in the rain. Obviously, if there's lightning we don't, but barring that, if it's wet we're wet.

Are we strange?


You are certainly not strange. Riding in the rain is a very beautiful thing. Actually, I also like lightning because it makes the sky look spectacular (especially if there's a sunset and a rainbow around too). "Fair weather" cyclists miss out on soooooooooo much :p

Chris

If you are already out on the ride, why turn back? You are already wet, so keep going!

As hot as it's been around here, I couldn't possibly get any wetter. I would be a welcome relief!:)

Great question Boomer.
I don't let rain keep me indoors. What the rain does is dictate where I ride.
If it's raining by the time I leave my house I'll go ride a trail that can soak up the water and won't have erosion problems or I'll go do a fireroad ride.

There is something positively serene about riding thru the woods with the sounds of rain hitting leaves and splashing mud overwhelming everything else. While, breathing in the smell of all those plants soaking in the water. I haven't ridden offroad in the rain in a long time. I miss it a little.

In the UK, we dont let a bit of rain get in the way of outdoor activities. I live in the drier SE part (<20" year), but in the NW, they can have over 40"/year. Some of the best MTBing in the land is to be found in the wet mountains of Scotland and Wales.

I bet those trail-wimps had a wardrobe full of Goretex as well.

Have to agree with you there MichaellW. I hail originally from Manchester. It rains 360 days a year, the other 5 it pi**es down! Completely soaking wet doing a paper round morning and night for 3 years is the best wet training you can get.

Nowadays, if it rains it means that I get wet for a few hours, which is absolutely nothing! Go out and enjoy it!

It still amazes me today that I never had to change my chain once. What were they made of back then?!

A very definite Maybe.

In the foothills, they are asking us to stay off the trails when it is wet. Some of the volcanic soils are very susceptible to erosion and rutting. The local sands stay in good shape when wet though.

Roadbike in the summer, rain is no problem. Winter and spring, I try to be skiing in the snow when we have rain in the valley.