Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - 200K in the rain?

Would you do it? Forecast calls for 70% chance of thunderstorms for a 200K this weekend. Surprisingly warm - temps in the 60's. I have a good rain jacket, but not much else that's truly waterproof and breathable. What do you think?

Edit: I should add that I have a major commitment the next morning, and I have to be 100% on my bike - can't afford an injury.

Yep.

http://www.machka.net/brevetstories.htm
http://www.machka.net/pbp2007/2007_PBPExperience_2.htm

and especially ... http://www.machka.net/brevet/2005_600.htm

Nope.

Sure.

Strangely enough, I find riding in the rain rather pleasant. None of my gear is particularly waterproof, so anything that has to stay dry goes into plastic shopping bags or ziplock baggies. I found out the hard way that cell phones don't work well when wet, so those especially go in a ziplock bag.

I like riding in the rain, but not when it's colder than that. I think I used to have a rule that I didn't ride in the rain below 47F.

The only thing that especially bothers me when riding in the rain is wet shoes. There is something about sloshing around in soaked shoes all day that really bugs me. If I were in your position I would add waterproof booties/shoe covers and then be happy.

Good luck!

Would. Have.

Go for it!
Just remember that stops should be very brief so you don't cool off too much. Also, if you're driving or taking the train to the start, it could be a good idea to bring a change of clohes and leave it at the start/finish if you can so you can go home in dry clothes. I remember a 200 I did in the rain last year and I had a 30 mn train ride after that, and I was really freezing in my wet clothes (it's one of the rare times I used an emergency blanket to keep me warmer in the train)

Hell yeah.
Think about how nice your next dry 200 will be!

I tend to chaff a lot in the wet so make sure your undercarriage is well oiled.

Don't forget mudguards, they make a big difference, particularly with long mudflaps fitted.

I rode a 200K through the Shenandoah Valley last weekend with the Randonneurs of the Mid Atlantic. The temps were near freezing and it started to rain 50 miles in, then rained steadily the rest of the way. I was wearing double layer wool on top and loose fitting nylon pants (with liner) on the bottom. I was still sweating so elected not to wear rain gear (easy choice since I didn't have any). I got a little cold at the final control (27 miles to the finish) so I put on a wool trainer. I stayed warm enough the rest of the way but I can say that I was definitely glad to change into dry clothes after truning in my Brevet card.

My advice: Man up and ride in the rain. The personal gratification at the finish is worth your effort.

Would you do it? Forecast calls for 70% chance of thunderstorms for a 200K this weekend. Surprisingly warm - temps in the 60's. I have a good rain jacket, but not much else that's truly waterproof and breathable. What do you think?

Edit: I should add that I have a major commitment the next morning, and I have to be 100% on my bike - can't afford an injury. to join in on what the others have said, I find that a major hallmark of brevet riding is the 'no rain days, no excuses, get it done' attitude that comes with the events.

There are a lot of different club rides and race clinics that one can do for getting in physical conditioning and strength training, but randonneuring is really about the mental conditioning of accepting the day as it comes and dealing with it to the best of your ability. So, to answer your specific question, " yes, if rain were involved, I would definitely ride; if I had a longer ride in mind (600, 1000, 1200) for later in the season then I would make an extra-special effort to be out there"

With that said, last year's Boston 600 was assaulted by a fairly fierce thunder and lightning storm (http://turn-the-wheel.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html) with near zero visibility in many spots. Like, "people would lose sight of their companions just by crossing a street" level of visibility. That ride had a rather severe attrition rate, but I don't think anyone would fault the riders for choosing safety first. So there are, of course, limits and the need to rise to a challenge from weather shouldn't encourage you to do anything foolish. Stay safe, and use your best judgement.

If you approach it less as a physical challenge and more as a mental exercise, then tame your speed, ride conservatively and accept the rain; you might find it rather rewarding.

oh, and also, we all have a dozen boring stories about perfect rides in the sunshine, but drama-ridden war stories about 8 hours in the rain always have their special glamor.

If we waited for nice days up here in the PNW, we'd never ride.


Don't forget mudguards, they make a big difference, particularly with long mudflaps fitted.

Fenders and flaps are essential. There's a polite reminder on the SiR rides & brevets site, telling people if they show up for a wet ride w/o fenders and flaps you will be riding at the back of the pack all day.


2 weeks ago the first 100k pop. of the season was a mix of snow, rain and torrential rain... we still had about 50 people show up.

It kind of sucks but if your prepared it's not so bad. Also if your planning on doing an ultra your likely not going ot have perfect weather for entire duration.

Been there, done that, got the mud stained jersey. Do it.

Did it Friday before last. 11 am start, temps in the mid 40's. You'll be glad you did.

Shoot! With temps in the 60's you'll barely even need the rainjacket. Just wear wool, and keep moving. I've got a 200k coming up this Sat, and the forecast is 60% chance of rain, high of 49. I say ride, and thank your lucky stars you're not in the Pacific Northwe(s)t right now.

SP
Bend, OR

Did it in sandals.

It would depend on where it was, too. We lived up in Ft. Collins, CO, and if you got a thunderstorm up there, it was going to sprinkle for 20 minutes and be done, and it was dry enough, you'd be dry shortly, too. Not quite that way down here in Dallas.

It's in north Georgia. None of my group have fenders/mudflaps/nothing. Still on the fence. I'm doing a volunteer event the next day that more than enough covers my mental toughness requirement.

M

go for it - the only thing that will melt in the rain is your fear of riding in the rain.

if nobody has flaps, then just get ready to eat some road grit. sometimes you can position yourself just to the side of the rider in front of you, so that their spray hits your shoulder and not your face. it helps when that's all you've got.

also i would suggest bringing spare socks/gloves if you go, and possibly switch them out halfway or something. even a 200 can be a hellish ride if you're wet all day.

"temps in the 60's"

... and the problem is?

You don't need or want waterproof, except for your feet. You're fast, so you'll keep warm. Pair of PI or equivalent tights, not the heavy thermo. Short sleeve Craft undershirt. Summer short sleeve jersey. Arm warmers. Wind vest. Microfiber rain jacket, very light. Wool socks. AmFib or similar booties, not neoprene. Another pair of wool socks in a ziploc. Headband to keep the water out of your eyes. I don't think you'll need a skullcap in those temps.

Here's the secret: get a couple of grocery store plastic vegetable bags. Cut the bottoms out. Roll up the bottom of your tights. Put your shoes on, then the plastic bags leaving the bottoms of your shoes unbagged, then roll the bottoms of your tights down over the plastic bags which are wrapped around your bare legs. Then the booties. Some bootie/tight combinations need the booties on the inside. Whichever. Doesn't really matter. If your feet get too warm, just take the bags off.

Bring some extra butt grease in a 35mm film container.

+++ on the fenders and mudflaps. You'll be loved.

Keep your mouth closed while riding past farm entrances.

I rode a 200 at 33° and raining with about the above equipment. Other than not being able to feel my feet for about 80 miles, I was fine, though miserable some of the time. Numb feet does not mean damage unless it's below freezing. I rode hard, though!

My rain has turned into 90% chance of severe thunderstorms all day with damaging high winds (tornadoes!) so common sense is winning out.

My rain has turned into 90% chance of severe thunderstorms all day with damaging high winds (tornadoes!) so common sense is winning out.

Well, I can't speak for everyone... but I'd be hunkering down indoors with a forecast like that!

My rain has turned into 90% chance of severe thunderstorms all day with damaging high winds (tornadoes!) so common sense is winning out.

I remember reading a ride report of some folks who were getting blown all over the road and watched a roof get blown off while on their brevet. It seemed like it would really be a nifty thing to see, unless you were the homeowner, but to be out there getting blown around with thunder and lightning all about watching the clouds spin waiting for the funnel to form might be something I'd avoid on a bike.

90% chance of severe thunderstorms all day with damaging high winds (tornadoes!)

Headwind tornadoes or tailwind tornadoes?

Headwind tornadoes or tailwind tornadoes?

:roflmao2:

My rain has turned into 90% chance of severe thunderstorms all day with damaging high winds (tornadoes!) so common sense is winning out.

So you're going to ride? ;)

29 people were signed up, 5 showed, 4 finished. They had 6 hours of rain, but the severe part didn't sound bad. However, I'm glad I stayed home. I had the honor of escorting the wheelchair racers at the ING marathon yesterday (I'm captain of the bicycle crew that does that) and helping out with traffic control and safety for the last able-bodies runners, so I'm glad I had 100% to give for that cause. It was a very long, cold day, and I'm glad I didn't risk it for the 200K the day before.

Thanks everyone for the input. The next 300K will be rain or shine!

My rain has turned into 90% chance of severe thunderstorms all day with damaging high winds (tornadoes!) so common sense is winning out.

Sure didn't for me. Forecast really went down the tubes: earlier in the week we were looking at 49f and 60% POP. By Friday night (after driving 175 mi to the start) it was 100% POP and a high of 50. I rode. It rained. All day. At the first control (36 mi in), it was 38f and raining. Same place on the way back(mi 89 on an out-and-back course), it was 44f. And raining. At the finish it was 52f. And raining. Somewhere in between the rain kinda-sorta tried to stop for about 15 minutes. Thank God for wool, fleece, drylete and goretex. I was able to stay warm (dry? surely you jest!), and actually enjoyed the ride. A lot of people were complaining and changing into (or wishing for) dry layers at every control. I wore the same clothes all day, and they literally gained 10 lb in "water weight". At least now I know what to wear when it's 40f and rainy...

SP
Bend, OR

ps - for more details, photos, etc, go to orrandonneurs.org

Headwind tornadoes or tailwind tornadoes?

I like the way you think! :roflmao2:

I've earned a reputation at work for refusing to buckle and give in to weather. The ONLY thing that I will routinely and automatically avoid is lightning. Bicycle commuting will warp your brain... I'm proof.

As a matter of fact, my company usually relies on me to show up at all of the local events that they sponsor, like 5K's and 10K's... because they know that I'm the only one in our group who exercises. The thing that earned me eternal inter-office fame occurred last year. My boss called the day before a local half-marathon to wish me luck. The hitch was that nobody ever told me that the company had registered me to run it! I showed up for it... 38F and raining... it was miserable and fun at the same time!

Now I get calls from branches all over the Southeast when other company groups need someone to ride or run for some event or other... too bad they don't pay me to do it...

I like the way you think! :roflmao2:

I've earned a reputation at work for refusing to buckle and give in to weather.

My brother! The first blizzard of the year is my favorite bicycling day.

I rode the DC Randonneurs 200K out of Urbana, MD last weekend. It rained off and on all day with temps in the low 50's. I beleive there were 49 at the start and only one DNF.