We probably wouldn't have if we were smart. We thought a 20% chance meant it wouldn't rain.............especially since we're still in a drought area and all the promises of rain over the past year and just been promises. 30 miles from the house this morning and it opens up. The temperature dropped from the low 50's to mid 40's. I swear there were sleet pellets bouncing off of us along the way. We got really, really soaked and were just miserable. All of us lost feeling in our fingers and toes as all our clothing was more water than fabric. I even introduced a new pair of shoes to the wet stuff. None of us were dressed for it at all.

Near the finish we looked at each other and agreed "that was fun"!! The subsequent hot shower felt great but boy did the extremities tingle........

I ride in the rain, but I try not to ride my good bike.

I avoid starting out in the rain but I've surely finished some rides in the rain.

Last year I acquired a matching pair of Craft rain jackets for my wife and me. They were on the pricy side but they sure feel great. They're made from one of the "miracle" fabrics and are very well ventillated so they work well in a wide range of temperatures. If only they made shoe covers that functional.

Pics say it all. As you can tell by the Goretex.

Not if I can help it, but, yes, I have been caught.

When I first began serious cycling at age 40, I rode rain or shine. As the years wore on I began avoiding some rides if it was raining. These days I don't ride in the rain unless, as other posters have said, it begins raining during a ride. I must say, rain riding on a hot summer day is actually a pleasure.

Sure. With proper gear, it's less hassle than driving in it around here.

Paul

Sure. With proper gear, it's less hassle than driving in it around here.

Paul

+1

Rain, snow, sleet and hail.
Just be careful that the brakes don't fail.
nyuk nyuk nyuk :D

Two magic words that I learned when I moved to Seattle: Rain bike. Riding in the rain isn't that much of a hardship if you're prepared; it's also a good excuse to go shopping for N+1 and convert the "old" bike to a rain bike (fenders, etc.).

Rain gear makes all the difference -- when I'm commuting in the rain, that means: gore-tex helmet cover; skullcap under helmet; full-finger gloves, Specialized Defroster cyclocross boots; Gore-tex jacket. If it's *really* raining hard, I'll wear REI Elements rain pants (but I hate wearing them; I prefer regular tights unless it's pouring). Also, I'm more careful about lighting when it's raining -- will have taillight and headlights on bike, even during the day.

The biggest problem I have in hard rain is keeping my glasses dry enough to see...on my commute, there are a couple of bridges I stop under to dry off my glasses.

Riding in the rain takes 40 years off my state-of-mind.

Look! Puddles!

I do not ride in the rain by design, only by default. My introduction to riding in the rain was the last one fourth of my first organized century. I wasn't about to cut that ride short for hell or high water, both of which we had to some extent.

I grew up in Florida. Of course I ride in the rain.

But Arkansas did introduce me to the concept of cold rain. For that I wear a rain coat or rain suit.

Our rainy season is 8 months a year - what do you think? :lol: But, it is warm, so it is like biking in the showers, without the singing hopefully. ;)

Sure lots of times. I might be a bit less likely to go out to ride if it is already raining.

On tour we ride rain or shine. At home it depends on how motivated I feel and how cold it is as well as how hard it is raining.

I nearly did yesterday, but it only ended up being a few spits which hardly count. showers forecast for today, so I guess I'll find out! :)

Portland, Oregon here ... If I did not ride in the rain. I would not be able to ride until about July!

Silly Northerner that I am I just assumed all rain is cold!
Who'ld a thunk? :eek:

I ended up doing just that, just last night.
Got to my turn around point and it caught me.
At least I did have my rain jacket on so, actually, it was kind of refreshing.
I mean, once you're stuck, what are you gonna do?
The only bad thing is my new baby got wet :(
But I gave it gooood wipe down when we got home :)

Yes, but not often enough.

Not if I can help it.

I love walking in the rain, but haven't ridden in the rain for a few years.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/07%20MS150/th_clowningintherain.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/07%20MS150/clowningintherain.jpg)

I've been caught in the rain, but I don't ride in the rain by choice.

I've been caught in the rain, but I don't ride in the rain by choice.

Me, too.

Not intentionally. I've been caught though. If rain is likely I do a loop that doesn't get me that far from home.

Warm rain - what's that?

I think it might be fun to ride in warm summer rain. But, we've never had any warm summer rain in CO. Most of our rain is near freezing, with sleet and often hail, accompanied by thunder and lightning.

It is not what one might call fun.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/07%20MS150/th_clowningintherain.jpg (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/07%20MS150/clowningintherain.jpg)

Now THAT's what I call rain! Looks like you were having fun, though. :p

Not if I can help it, but I have been caught.

Riding in the rain takes 40 years off my state-of-mind.

Look! Puddles!

a fellow puddle jumper!!!!!! i do believe God made puddles just for jumping:D everytime i go thru one a big ol :) magically appears!!!!!! doesn't matter if i'm walking, running, biking - go ahead try it and see what happens. peace b.

I generally avoid recreational riding in the rain. I have done some transportation cycling, mostly commuting, in the rain, but I just don't like the risk-reward ratio for optional (i.e., recreational) riding. If very light sprinkles or drizzle is forecast, I sometimes ride the mountain bike, instead one of the skinny-tired road bikes, on the road.

I never start a ride in the rain but I've been caught out in many downpours:(

I don't mind the rain in warmer weather but getting wet in the cold is really uncomfortable. If there's any chance of rain in cold temperatures I don't even start:o

I love riding in the rain--provided the road is safe enough. I have a complete set of Showers Pass foul weather gear plus booties, gloves and a wool cap. And the reason for that big Carradice saddle bag is so I can keep it with me if there is any chance it will rain...Going into the mountains around here increases the probability it will rain and it is remote and can get quite cold.

The way you describe your experience, jppe, I would have been concerned with hypothermia during the event. Glad it worked out okay.

Like others, I've got a bad weather bike. It goes out in anything. Most recently snow heavy enough that I had to dim my lights. I wish for rain actually.

I agree w/SaiKaiTai and some others, riding in the rain can be refreshing. I especially don't mind riding in a gentle warm rain. Cold rain is not fun, though.

rain definitely cuts down on drafting, too, unless you want a facefull of dirty rainwater :D

I'd be more receptive to riding in the rain if I could keep the rain off of my eyeglasses. It gets hard to see as the lens get wet.

I plan to move to Vancouver, WA in about four years for retirement and am already planning for riding in the rain. Last night I went out in light rain, but it stopped after about 40 minutes. I find if I can keep my upper half dry (nylon jacket), my lower half works out pretty well without anything special, but I have not been in a real downpour for a while, either. I also find a homemade rear fender does about 95% of what I need, even though there is no fender on the front wheel.

Has anyone tried wearing a baggie on each foot to keep socks from getting wet even if shoes do? I would make some small holes in them so they would vent a little.

Has anyone tried wearing a baggie on each foot to keep socks from getting wet even if shoes do? I would make some small holes in them so they would vent a little.

I've never tried the baggies but if it's warm I just wear sandals. They dry quickly and I don't have to worry about soggy shoes and socks.

Has anyone tried wearing a baggie on each foot to keep socks from getting wet even if shoes do? I would make some small holes in them so they would vent a little.
I've done this using plastic grocery bags when I was into self supported touring. A plastic grocery bag over the shoe secured with a rubber band works well especially if the top is tucked up under rain pants. You can clip in to your pedals right through the material. I never had a bag tear when doing this. Just throw the things away when the rain stops and use another pair next time.:) I never tried cutting vents, as a cut in the bag would undoubtedly cause tearing.

Of course I ride in the rain, this is the NorthWest. Most of my bikes have fenders, rain gear and neoprene booties get me through the Winter and once temps get above 45F, its not that bad. Don

It drizzled on one ride and rained on another, but I don't know if I'd deliberate set out for a ride if it's already raining. It sure sounds like a fun adventure though.

A group of us was scheduled to take a 60 mile training ride today for AIDS/LifeCycle, but bailed because of the rain. It was decided that the hilly terrain might not be safe in wet weather. Like most, I have been caught in the rain before and don't mind, if it's not too cold. I even have a snap on fender for my OCR.

They don't nickname it the Pacific North"Wet" for nothing.

I commute in it. Gotten lots of funny incredulous stares and comments when I arrive dripping wet on the really messy days.

Done a few memorable rides in the rain- one led to hypothermia- but that was in October with a force 8 gale at the same time.

Rain riding is not a problem but if below 50F- have to stay dry and warm. Leggings-Goretex and warm clothing underneath. I have to ride in the rain here and I now have Sealskinz socks and Gloves- Waterproof and if you can keep the hands and feet dry- they will not get frozen. I will ride in the wet- ride in the cold and ride with a strong wind- but Rain and cold-or rain and wind and I have to think about the ride.

Thought about it and I am going back to bed- 30mph winds- rain and only about 40F this morning- Looks like a gardening day- If I can find the flippers to get round it.

The rain in Malaysia is a relief from the heat and humidity.
and saves me jumping in streams and pools to cool down.
george

:eek: I would melt! :eek:

As another silly northerner above said, "who knew".

Has anyone tried wearing a baggie on each foot to keep socks from getting wet even if shoes do? I would make some small holes in them so they would vent a little.

During the winter, using baggies is an old trick to keep the feet warm too. I'm still wearing them daily on my commute.

It is not my favorite thing in the world, but I've been caught riding in the rain many times and it was not usually a big problem. I usually won't start a ride in the rain unless it is a special event that I can't really avoid. Several days of BRAG have started in the rain. I just get on the bike and ride.

The photo above was from a rest stop on last year's MS150 in Savannah. It started in a downpour that lasted for the first two hours of the ride. Once we accepted the fact we would be miserable, it was big fun.

Most of my rain riding is in warm weather. When it is very warm, I prefer not to wear rain gear. I would rather be wet from rain than from sweat.

Here in the NW our rainy season is 10 months a year. Yes I ride in the rain and do everything else in the rain as-well. Last Friday I rode home from work in the poring rain, hail, snow, and sunshine. In the spring we have a saying in these parts "If you don't like the weather just stick around five minutes."

I recently bought some PI Am-fib bib-tights that work well in the rain (I don't like the name becuase it's sounds too much like v. fib or a. fib). With a water-resistant helmet cover, rain jacket of some type, and booties I stay fairly dry.

Having said all that, riding in the rain still kind of sucks.

Rain, snow, snain, as long as the temperature is above 35 F and the road isn't too slippery.

You can gain a little speed from a wet road.