Mountain Biking - Riding mountain bikes in rain

Hello,

Just wanted to have your input.. Do people mountainbike in rain at all? As long as you don't mind getting wet, is it a doable thing? What are some of the tips you would have for riding in the rain?

Rained last night and the forecast is calling for light rain all day today..but I would really like to hit the trail..

Thanks,

Ginta9999

Hi,

Don't know if it's a good thing or not... ;) - but I ride in the rain. There are days when I want to ride and if it's raining then "so be it". If I've been waiting all week for a chance to ride and the weekend ends up wet... well you gotta ride!

Just know that the ground is going to be messy and the traction will be out the window at times. Watch out for poor visibility as far as motorist if you are on the road at any time. You know... the usual "common sense" stuff.

When I get back in I usually go through a cleaning/drying and lubrication routine to help prevent any rust that might be lurking (rust never sleeps! ;) ).

Have fun!
Daf

Yeah riding in the rain can be lots of fun. Or it could ruin an already bad day. When you get back from the ride make sure you clean/dry off your bike. Dry your chain good and relube it. Rust sucks. Believe me.

Also don't forget rain on trails makes mud. And when muddy trails meets too much rear brake the trails get really dug up. And no biker hates anyone more then the jackass who ruins there trails. So be careful.

But yes it is fun in the rain. Make sure you follow the proper procedures before and after so your bikes (and you) don't get broken.

Now go out and get muddy!

If we just had light rain only here in FL, it would not be a bad thing. But nobody has seen it rain until they expierience a summertime thunderstorm here in central FL. Usually get the dreaded thunder and lightning also which is NOT a good thing. Had to cut short ride this morning because I could hear thunder getting closer.

Life must go on, rain or shine...

Life must go on, rain or shine...

Ditto...I would hate to see my riding season if I avoided rain. I would only ride June July august...(although this year august is freaking rainy season)...

But nobody has seen it rain until they expierience a summertime thunderstorm here in central FL. Usually get the dreaded thunder and lightning also which is NOT a good thing. Had to cut short ride this morning because I could hear thunder getting closer.

I hear you - the storms here in East Texas can be pretty severe as well. I have several areas that I can ride in. Some are open to the weather some are in deep woods. If there is a thunderstorm or hard rain gong on I'll head for the deep woods that day... there are plenty of trails to keep me busy and get my ride in. You still get wet but not nearly as much because of the tree cover. And the lightning, while it may still be dangerous, doesn't bother me in there. There are litterally thousands of acres of pine forests here - most with extensive 4-wheeler trails to ride on.

On sunny days I'm much more likely to hit the lake area, fire roads and right of ways so I can soak up the 100+ heat here in the summer. :)

Daf

There's nothing I like better than having it rain like crazy. When you're wet, more wet doesn't really matter. Just did a 119k ride with the TBN, soaked for about half of it. Like SOAKED.

operator,

Where did you guys ride? Either way.. it's been pouring here (Maple) for about 3 days now.. so I can imagine what you're describing.

I just rode the Poto, no rain, but it rained like hell yesterday, and you're amazingly sandy terrain holds up very well

i do, i just mountainbike....have fun..dont care if its raining

A riders got to do what a rider's gotta do...just be carefull of tree roots when it's wet!

I would say that as long as you don't trash the trail it would be ok.

I second the tree roots warning. Around here we have to be careful of the rocks as well. A couple places on the trails there are sections of granite that get very slick when they are wet. I, like others who have posted, have had a blast riding in the rain.

I did some rides on the mtb trails at Coed y Brenin in Wales, UK. One morning, while my wife slept, I hit the trailhead at 7am and by 8am it was raining hard. I really enjoyed that ride, deliciously refreshing in a weird sort of way. Ride, get wet, enjoy it.

I do it occassionally...my main problem isn't getting cold and wet and really really muddy...it's cleaning up the mud afterwards. Sometimes I just pull off my shoes outside, walk straight upstairs to the bathroom, and step in the shower clothes and all.

Be nice to the trails and be careful about the roots

Some of my favorite rides have been in the rain, planned and unexpected. As long as its a fairly gentle rain with no electric activity its fun. If my XC bike was steel though I would think twice b/c of the water getting into the frame!

Daf, know how u feel - as a weekend warrior any chance to ride needs to be taken - rain hail or shine as they say. I dunno about mud, since the trails around here tend to be sandy rather than muddy (lots of sedimentary rock around, leads to gritty sand - the worst kind imho). but all i can say is: it's a pain in the @rs3 to clean up afterwards.