How much do you pay attention to the weather forecast when decided to go on a long ride or not? I am thinking of visiting family as it is a long weekend here and its about 100 miles/160 km one way, but I may take a train partway to get past urban sprawl. There is always possibility of calling for a pickup within a reasonable distance of getting there if the weather erodes my sanity. I'd be riding alone so no company.

Forecast
Sat a.m. 21C Thundershowers POP 70% Wind S 15 kph Rain 5-10 mm
Sat p.m. 27C Chance of thundershowers POP 80% Humidex 36C Wind SW 40 kph close to 5mm rain

I probably can't get started too early, and the direction of travel is West so the strong winds in the afternoon may be a killer. Its net uphill (not sure how much climbing total as I plan to take a new route) but the destination is about 1000 feet higher elevation than my house. I've gone in strong winds before and struggled with all my energy to go 9 kph in spots (between wind and hill)

I don't mind riding in rain if it is not too cold (which it shouldn't be). I don't have much fear of lightning but maybe I should? As much of this route will be on country roads where there isn't much higher than me.

The turnaround Monday has a high of 23, 70% chance of rain again and hopefully a 15 km/h tailwind. Cuz headwinds both ways is very unfair!

Would you ride?

I always check the forecast before I head out. Most days I don't really care what it says, but it helps me make sure I have the right clothes/gear. Some days, though, I'm just not so much in the mood to suffer. ;)

That said, I do not like riding through lightning storms, and if there's a 40% chance or better of those, I probably won't ride during that time period.

Forecast? If you examined either of the television sets in my home, even with the power off, you'd see The Weather Channel's "Your local forecast" burned into the screen.

It gets worse... I now have a Verizon smart phone, with internet access... Yup, if I know the day could turn blustery, I bring up TWC's weather radar, clip the phone to the waistband of my shorts, and press Menu > Refresh every 15 - 20 minutes along my ride. (No doubt motorists are saying "lookit that fool, texting while cycling..." Except, most of them are too busy on their cellphones to notice.)

It's given me some real peace of mind... Last Sunday was supposed to be 40% t'showers from 10am onward,
but I managed to get in 105 miles as the radar screen showed a dark green mass with orange and red centers slowly approaching from the west. I timed it so well that I got home, put the bike inside, then walked down to the mailbox. It began to sprinkle as I was walking back up to the house... And it stormed from then until well into the evening. Hah! Me: 1, Weather godz: 0.

As for your questions... thirty five, forty years ago, I'd have gone on the ride you described. I wasn't afraid of the water, nor the hills, headwind, chill, or even the lightning. (Yeah, I know, lightning can kill you. I was young, though, and considerably more stupid than I am now.) The only thing I didn't like about wet rides was the long bike cleanup that waited for me after I was through.

Errr, but I got old, see, and now I understand the whole concept of mortality. Here's my advice: If you're 30 or younger, go for it. It'll be one of those things that you're not too fond of at the time, but man, will it provide you with a good story. Write about it afterwards.

If you're closer to geezerdom, put a movie on and ride indoors on a trainer. Occasionally flip your finger at the window.

I receive a text forecast on my Blackberry every morning at 8:00. I have since my first phone in 1998. I use it for a lot of reasons, and when you live in the south US, it's almost as good as a weather radio.

I'm a weather junkie, but up till this year, it hasn't made much difference in whether I'll ride or not. This year I just don't feel like riding in rain, cold, and strong winds.

My wife always mocks me for watching so much weather channel. She refers to me as a weather channel junkie. But seriously it changes daily and hourly.
I really prefer riding in nice weather.