Commuting - I discovered I like riding in the rain

while riding home on Friday. I rode in after hearing 50% chance of rain in the weather forecast, figuring the rain wasn't going to be that bad if it did rain. The sky got all black and gloomy in the afternoon (no lightning though), and I started getting the "how are you going to get home" questions. I've put on many miles on my motorcycles riding in the rain and that didn't usually bother me, and bicycling in the rain wasn't much different before but coming home Friday night was more peaceful than usual. Maybe it was because I was just cruising along, or maybe it was because there were fewer people out, the extra Oxygen in the air or something else; but the end result was pretty relaxing and enjoyable.

yeah, riding in the rain is beautiful... as long as you have a change of clothes or somewhere to dry them when you get there :) FWIW I have a pair of goretex sox, not so into wet and cold feet...

I too love riding in the rain. Just doesn't seem to happen too often around here.

I have been known to cruise through automatic sprinklers to cool off when I can find them.

I don't mind rain as long as it doesn't impair my vision too badly and doesn't hide all the potholes.

Yeah, I would much rather ride in the rain than a high humidity day. There have been a few days this summer where I just wished it would rain and get it over with.

Riding in rain is okay as long lighting isn't around - then I don't like it. I really need to get some fenders as I don't like the water spraying up and SOAKING my shoes...

If I'm just riding to work that day an' it's raining I'll wear thin rain gear and wellington boots.
Usually 'though, come afternoon the sun has come out, and I get an unexpected invitation somewhere... and only have my wellies with me ;) :D

p.s +1 for fenders in the rain

Wow, you guys are hardcore... Or just plain ole nuts. Rain and I don't mix well. I like rain as a concept, but while on my bike I like it to either have just rained, or about to rain. Actually raining? No thanks...:notamused:

I love riding in the rain too. I should say when it's sprinkling. Hardcore rain isn't as enjoyable. It was sprinkling this morning and it was an amazing ride. Glad I had my fenders.

+1 to rain. I love it as long as the wind isn't blowing. I don't mind snow, either, as long as the wind isn't blowing. I don't like wind but I suppose you've guessed that by now.

I love riding in the rain, especially when it is 55-75 degrees out. Heavy rain too. Lightning - LOVE it.

Fenders R good.

It rains most days in Manchester so I've gotten used to being soaked through and now I really enjoy it, especially riding through puddles :)

+1 to rain. I love it as long as the wind isn't blowing. I don't mind snow, either, as long as the wind isn't blowing. I don't like wind but I suppose you've guessed that by now.

This started out as a gentle rain that stopped by the time I got home, and the wind that had been a nice tailwind had faded to next to nothing by the time I got home.

Rain rides are awesome! I'll put on clear safety glasses and a baseball cap with the visor pulled low to keep droplets out of my eyes. Field and stream breathable rainsuit, redwing waterproof boots, and ski gloves get added when its in the 40's and 30's. Thunderstorms are the best, and it's the cleanest my bike ever gets.
Wind makes it more interesting for me.

It doesn't qualify as hard core if we like it. I'd rather ride in the rain if it's warm out. When it's cold, not so much. I still don't mind it but riding in freezing rain is a little less than ideal.

What I would happily give up is riding when there's deep snow on the ground, especially if it's been rutted then refrozen. That stinks.

I have to agree.
I don't ride in the rain much, but a few months ago, I was at work and the bottom dropped out. It passed over but was moving along the same path I'd take on the way home.
Just before I left, the bottom dropped out again, pouring it's rear off. It had eased up some when I took off. The bad part was I was on the Trek 2.1 and had no fenders, etc. However, I didn't give a crap. I had probably one of the best rides I'd ever had. That day going home was intense, but awesome. I hope to do the same on my Portland some day =)

I always keep a baseball hat in my panniers in case it rains. I wear it under my helmet, keeps the rain of my glasses. It's the only rain gear I use in the summer months. The humidity has been so bad this past week I've been begging for rain. I've been carrying and extra water bottle just to dump over my head during the ride.

Cool, I thought I was just weird :) I like it, and I don't like a lot of rain gear, either. As long as I'm not wearing a white shirt, I am happy as a clam riding in the rain.

I don't like a lot of rain gear, either.

Same here. None at all, if it's not too chilly. I don't care how "breathable" rain gear is marketed to be, I would far prefer to let the rain run on my skin than bake in my own sweat inside a gore tex parka.

I love riding in the rain, especially when it is 55-75 degrees out.

+1. Not bad at these temps, but riding in cold rain is an entirely different experience.

+1 here too. looks like a general consensus. riding in the rain is fun.

edit: however the last two days of torrential downpours and thunderstorms have been a bit much to deal with. am way too soggy...

riding in the rain is fun.

Indeed.

Temperature does not affect my enjoyment, as long as I'm properly dressed (for the cold that is).

You guys are ALL crazy!!! I'm sorry to be the SINGLE voice of dissent but its a major hassle to get soaked. I go through extraordinary pains to keep myself and my bike dry, I guess commuting takes all types.

The trick is not getting soaked to the skin such that you are cold and uncomfortable.

Had I but known that biking in the rain was both easy and fun....

I did alright till a car went through a puddle and soaked me. The wave of water could not be avoided.

and I started getting the "how are you going to get home" questions.

God, I hate answering those questions. How do you explain that human skin is waterproof without patronizing someone?


You guys are ALL crazy!!! I'm sorry to be the SINGLE voice of dissent but its a major hassle to get soaked. I go through extraordinary pains to keep myself and my bike dry, I guess commuting takes all types.

The Wicked Witch of the West, I presume? Are you made out of salt or sugar? Don't you shower in the morning?

I'd rather ride in the rain than the hot summer sun. Although my engine works with just air cooling, it works even better with water cooling and I imagine (hope) yours is similar. :)

You guys are ALL crazy!!! I'm sorry to be the SINGLE voice of dissent but its a major hassle to get soaked. I go through extraordinary pains to keep myself and my bike dry, I guess commuting takes all types.

10+. I used to completely avoid riding in the rain, even with my beater mountain bike. I have learned to accept it after a few suggestions on some Forum threads. The practice came in handy this June while training for a century because there were so many rain days. My summer rainwear includes a baseball cap as described above, and cylindrical plastic freezer bags from a bagel shop to go over and tucked into my socks to keep them dry, or at least free of road grime. I also carry a large plastic bag to cover my rear trunk bag, and small baggies to cover my computer.

For you rain lovers, someone once posted to a Forum about what gets kicked up from the road surface, besides grease and other chemicals, to include "liquified road kill." :p

I like doing just about everything in the rain

For you rain lovers, someone once posted to a Forum about what gets kicked up from the road surface, besides grease and other chemicals, to include "liquified road kill." :p

That's what fenders are for.

... and I started getting the "how are you going to get home" questions...


God, I hate answering those questions. How do you explain that human skin is waterproof without patronizing someone?..

When riding in foul weather, be it rain, snow, or freezing cold, the bragging rights to answering that perennial question, "You didn't ride in today, did you?" is one of the few rewards IMO. :lol:

I got stuck in the rain once.. I hated it. I'll never ride in the rain again if I can help it. Luckily in So-Cal, it barely rains.

That's what fenders are for.

+100. Fenders are awesome. I didn't try to go out and ride in the rain, but the storm came in and everyone left work. And, of course the obligatory "How you gettin' home", " Same way I got here".
Anyway, got home, showered, changed and it was all good. Hot shower for me, Tri-flow for the bike.

The Wicked Witch of the West, I presume? Are you made out of salt or sugar? Don't you shower in the morning?

I'd rather ride in the rain than the hot summer sun. Although my engine works with just air cooling, it works even better with water cooling and I imagine (hope) yours is similar. :)

Well no, I'm not made of sugar, and if I had a cadre of flying monkeys, do you really think I'd be driving my bike to work??? I hope you aren't comparing a shower, within which I'm nude and sensually rubbing myself, and getting my gear soaked to the core in the rain! Seriously, I don't mind it on my skin so much as I mind mucking up my bike, and I HATE wet shoes.



For you rain lovers, someone once posted to a Forum about what gets kicked up from the road surface, besides grease and other chemicals, to include "liquified road kill."Great, now I'm craving Chinese and still have at least an hour before I make supper... THAAAANKS...

Edit:: sensual troll is sensual

You guys are ALL crazy!!! I'm sorry to be the SINGLE voice of dissent but its a major hassle to get soaked.

Uh, no, it's not. It's just water. Where's the hassle? I'm not made of sugar. I get wet, I get to where I'm going, I change. I was going to shower anyway.

If I think it's going to absolutely pour, I use my rain gear, and then the only thing that gets wet is just a bit down my back usually, and my hands and feet. I could keep my feet dry too if I cared, just by buying some gear for those, but I don't really care.

For you rain lovers, someone once posted to a Forum about what gets kicked up from the road surface, besides grease and other chemicals, to include "liquified road kill." :p

A bike isn't really completely equipped until it has fenders. IMO.

This reminds me......gotta change my brake pads before Fall, they squeel mercilessly when even slightly wet. And, ah, no, I don't like to ride in the rain but I do it when I have to.

For you rain lovers, someone once posted to a Forum about what gets kicked up from the road surface, besides grease and other chemicals, to include "liquified road kill." :p


That's what fenders are for.


A bike isn't really completely equipped until it has fenders. IMO.

My beater mountain bike has front and rear fenders. As an urban rider with a lot of auto traffic, I note the cars kick up a lot of dirty water (..."Well I love that dirty water / Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, you're the Number One place)..." :lol:

One day in a rainstorm I wore a pair of brand new white socks and the road grime stains will not come out, and I know the back spray from the cars goes also into my drive train, and even higher--yuck. That's why I wear bagel freezer bags over and tucked into the tops of my socks, as described above.

One day in a rainstorm I wore a pair of brand new white socks and the road grime stains will not come out, and I know the back spray from the cars goes also into my drive train, and even higher--yuck. That's why I wear bagel freezer bags over and tucked into the tops of my socks, as described above.

Fenders do nothing for your feet and shins, even with a mud flap, though they keep some of the crud down. They keep the crap off you above your knees though.

I ride 8 miles a day on gravel/dirt roads, and on rainy days I have to hose off my lower legs, but the one time I rode it before I got fenders, I looked like I'd been dropped in a swamp when I got home.

I wore a pair of keen sandals and shorts all summer.
Last week I pulled the foot bed out and tossed them in the washer.
Even with fenders I couldn't believe how dirty they were.:eek:

Uh, no, it's not. It's just water. Where's the hassle? I'm not made of sugar. I get wet, I get to where I'm going, I change. I was going to shower anyway.

If I think it's going to absolutely pour, I use my rain gear, and then the only thing that gets wet is just a bit down my back usually, and my hands and feet. I could keep my feet dry too if I cared, just by buying some gear for those, but I don't really care.

Well bully for you:thumb:! I don't get to travel around with a complete wardrobe from which I can relieve myself of my soggy burden;). I agree, a bike needs fenders, AND mud flaps. That goes a long way towards keeping me clean through puddles and general muck. Also, I never let my bike sit with water on it, so going through the process of drying it off, while minor, is a hassle none the less. Time is money y'all.

i love riding in the rain, if conditions are right.

*flashback* I was going for a ride on my day off. The night before it was suppose to rain, so I grabbed my gear and went riding. No rain. Great night ride. (fyi: more people need lights/reflectors)

The following morning I wanted to follow up the great ride with another. i pulled the weather report and it said 'clear.' Looking over head you could see the clouds coming in, but I decided to leave my rain gear at home. About 3 miles into my ride it felt like the rain was coming, I thought about turning around, but I was out for a ride. Off I went.

I was about 6 miles out from home when it all started. There were a few drops for a few seconds later as I topped the hill it then it poured. It poured like the power is going out and you need an ark. I stopped under a near-by car wash for the heaviest down pour. After about 5 minutes it was still raining hard, but not cats & dogs. I took off my ipod and wrapped it in my armband, hoping it would survive. I have sks communtor fenders that kept the water off me (well its still raining, but you understand). It was a great warm rain that offered the right amount of cooling. After about 20 minutes of hard riding, the rain was slowing, steam was rolling off my back, sweat was pouring down. It was the best ride of this summer.

I loved it.

dh

+1. Not bad at these temps, but riding in cold rain is an entirely different experience.

I have heard that if you wear wool, it will keep you warm even though you are wet...

i love riding in the rain, if conditions are right.

After about 20 minutes of hard riding, the rain was slowing, steam was rolling off my back, sweat was pouring down. It was the best ride of this summer.

I loved it.

dh

That's how I felt Friday. Having a blast doing something people think is to be avoided at all costs.

I love the question, "You bike to work, what do you do if it rains?"

"get wet."

Mmm... Liquified roadkill... I'm gonna go take my fenders off right now

Oh I love riding in the rain/snow/whatever inclement weather. Lets be honest though, after a couple solid hours of riding in a hard rain, I don't care what kind of super gore-tex shell you're wearing, you're gonna be soaked; water gets everywhere. Some people might call it misery. I say: bring on the misery; lay it on me thick, in layers, and keep 'em coming. I did a tour out to Seattle and back this summer. On longest day I pulled (144 miles), it rained the entire time. It was kind of like a motivation to keep on going.

Oh I love riding in the rain/snow/whatever inclement weather. Lets be honest though, after a couple solid hours of riding in a hard rain, I don't care what kind of super gore-tex shell you're wearing, you're gonna be soaked; water gets everywhere. Some people might call it misery. I say: bring on the misery; lay it on me thick, in layers, and keep 'em coming. I did a tour out to Seattle and back this summer. On longest day I pulled (144 miles), it rained the entire time. It was kind of like a motivation to keep on going.

See? SEE? this is what I'm talking about. HARDCORE.

Some people might call it misery. I say: bring on the misery; lay it on me thick, in layers, and keep 'em coming.

But you rightfully don't consider/call being wet misery, so what do you want brought on, real misery?

Well no, I'm not made of sugar, and if I had a cadre of flying monkeys, do you really think I'd be driving my bike to work??? I hope you aren't comparing a shower, within which I'm nude and sensually rubbing myself, and getting my gear soaked to the core in the rain! Seriously, I don't mind it on my skin so much as I mind mucking up my bike, and I HATE wet shoes.

Great, now I'm craving Chinese and still have at least an hour before I make supper... THAAAANKS...

Edit:: sensual troll is sensual

Two signature-quote worthy lines in one post - Well Played, Sir!!!:thumb:

Riding in the rain makes me laugh out loud but I still try to avoid it. I am complex!:twitchy:

MM

I have heard that if you wear wool, it will keep you warm even though you are wet...

When I wear wool it itches. And then I get a rash if I wear it often.

Wicking synthetics work great. Not sure about the keep-you-warm part, but very good at the dries-off-quickly part.