Fifty Plus (50+) - Riding in the Rain

I won't do it. It's hard on the bike, it's dangerous, the visibility sucks (for me and car drivers), the traction is iffy, and it's freakin' uncomfortable. Even with rain gear, I still get wet, and that is just miserable. I don't mind suffering on a ride, but misery is another thing!

Those of you who do ride, no matter the weather, well - more power to you. Me, fair weather rider (even on my motorcycle)!

I don't mind, but only in the hot summer (nice cool shower to cool me down :) ).
I ride my backup aluminum bike, though (not the Trek carbon).

Oh, and don't wear the white jersey. ;)

Rain is not pleasant but in this country it is necessary. Had no rain for 3 months now so I would welcome some- or even a lot of the stuff.

And nothing wrong with rain riding- just make certain that the bike is thoroughly cleaned afterwards and that you don't fall over in it.

And the attachment is not blurred- that is the Rain coming down.


204672

I use my second bike, which has lower quality components, as a rain bike. It doesn't bother me that it gets dirty and I am resigned to replacing headsets and BB bearings often. Fenders help keep the water off, as does good rain gear. With that I am ok with wet roads and moderate rain. But I'll skip riding outside when it's pouring.

I rearranged my training schedule to make today a rest day so I would not have to ride in this unusual for California June deluge.

I like riding in the rain if it's above 60F or so. If it's in the 30's it can be somewhat unpleasant. Good fenders help a lot. Never thought it was more dangerous other than traction

If it's not raining when I start, I'll go, even if there is a 90% chance of rain. Once it starts to rain, I just keep going on my normal route. If it gets really bad (poor visibility, etc), I'll start heading back.

The few times I have been caught out in the weather, I was very careful to go over the bike(s) afterwards and thoroughly clean it. I worry about water getting into wheel bearings, the bottom bracket, the steering stem, etc. I really worry about the finish, I hate for my babies to get all grungy and corroded! I'm one of those people who cleans my bike after every ride, anyway, and I'm the rare gal who keeps up with it mechanically, too. Still, water is hard on it, and I avoid it.

One of my best rides was in Kauai with a snorkel pack and parka with a steady rain. Not a big fan of riding in the rain around here, but I do when I have too. I just rinse the bike and dry it. I think the chain takes the most abuse.

I normally hate riding in the rain too but down in my part of the world we haven't much rain at all for a couple of months. Right now I'd ride in it to celebrate it.

No choice here in Vancouver. That said, I love riding in light drizzle. It is hard on the bike though. They should invent some kind of Water Dispersant to spray on...

See Rule Nine: Velominati — The Rules (http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/)

I ride year round. If I didn't ride in bad weather, I wouldn't have a job any more. You can't call in because it's raining or snowing.

There are times I prefer snow to rain, and times I prefer rain to snow. Either way, a little extra TLC and the bikes are just fine.

I lead a 50-mile club ride today. It started raining at the 25-mile mark. Good crew though. Everyone knew the chances before we left, and there was no whining. Of course, it opens up the paceline a little bit. Otherwise, you're face is full of the other guy's spray. This slows the whole thing down a bit, but it's much more pleasant than a face full of spray when passing, say, a dairy farm.

Rains too much here not to ride in the rain. However, it never gets cold so in my opinion its a wash. (rather ride in pouring rain in Hawaii than in the cold .)


Mike

I won't do it. It's hard on the bike, it's dangerous, the visibility sucks (for me and car drivers), the traction is iffy, and it's freakin' uncomfortable. Even with rain gear, I still get wet, and that is just miserable. I don't mind suffering on a ride, but misery is another thing!

Those of you who do ride, no matter the weather, well - more power to you. Me, fair weather rider (even on my motorcycle)!
I agree 110%. The only bike I've deliberately taken out in the rain is my adult trike with fenders. Like you, I still got wet and uncomfortable eventually. I have never found a way to stay comfortable and dry on long rides in the rain. I also don't care to shorten the life of my bike by riding in that crap too much.

Since rain is such a problem for cyclists, why haven't velomobiles taken off here in the US like they have in other countries? They solve all the problems of riding in the rain. If there was enough of a demand for them in this country maybe they wouldn't cost as much as a brand-new car (or a high-end carbon race bike).

See Rule Nine: Velominati — The Rules (http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/)

I ride year round. If I didn't ride in bad weather, I wouldn't have a job any more. You can't call in because it's raining or snowing.

There are times I prefer snow to rain, and times I prefer rain to snow. Either way, a little extra TLC and the bikes are just fine.

I lead a 50-mile club ride today. It started raining at the 25-mile mark. Good crew though. Everyone knew the chances before we left, and there was no whining. Of course, it opens up the paceline a little bit. Otherwise, you're face is full of the other guy's spray. This slows the whole thing down a bit, but it's much more pleasant than a face full of spray when passing, say, a dairy farm.

I just got a virtual whiff of that dairy farm :D

And where you have farms you have poop. And where you have rain you have liquid poop.

When I go offroading with my jeep and if it's a known horse trail I will stay wide of any and all water puddles because of the yuck that splashes up. If you happen to hit one with the top down......mercy.

I just got a virtual whiff of that dairy farm :D

And where you have farms you have poop. And where you have rain you have liquid poop.

When I go offroading with my jeep and if it's a known horse trail I will stay wide of any and all water puddles because of the yuck that splashes up. If you happen to hit one with the top down......mercy.

Offroading and keep your mouth closed. Especially if 2nd in our group. Lead rider will take a line that others will follow and Nothing better than running through a fresh Cowpat or even better Bunny hopping into one- and spraying the following riders.

Most of our riding is down on the South Downs way- popular with mountain bikers- horse riders and dog walkers. Big open spaces with plenty of Sheep and cattle.The one big No-No with us is going anywhere the car parks. Owners open the car doors and dog exits- does a poo- runs around for 10 minutes before being called back to the car and home.

Was on a long group ride Mon and we hit some pretty good showers halfway through it. It was it around 80 F and we got soaked. We weren't going to stop or cut the ride short so we kept going. After about an hour it started to clear up, the sun eventually came out and overall, it was magnificent. On this ride, the rain added positively to the overall experience.

Also, as always, HTFU.

I like the rain.

http://www.youtube.com/user/lurksmarvelous#p/u/111/JQyTc3TElWQ

With good rain gear (in particular the Shimano Gore-Tex shoes) and full fenders it's tolerable...the last 20+ miles of the century I did last weekend were in the rain. Heavy rain + wind is a deal-breaker for me though.

The perfect weather conditions for me to ride is a cloudy day, with no wind and a temperature of about 60 degree's F. Of course I prefer no rain, however I have had so many great/fun rides in the rain, that it doesn't deter me from going out. Sometimes I'll go for the first mud puddle :) to be done with it. I treat my chain with care, clean my bike on occasion, clean my break pads regularly, and have no bike problems...:thumb:

Oh, and I don't worry about getting wet, as there is no way to avoid it. I only worry about staying warm, and use rain gear only to fix a flat, which allows me enough time before becoming chilled too much.

One of my best rides was in Kauai with a snorkel pack and parka with a steady rain...

I ride in HNL a couple times a year and every other or third ride will have a fair amount of rain involved. It actually feels kind of nice, and the descents aren't mind numbingly cold. The junk that cakes on the drivetrain and bike, eh, not so much.

I don't mind riding in the rain, but hate the post ride cleanup. And since it's possible to keep your bike sparking clean without ever washing it with water, I understand about not wanting the rain running down into those nicely lubed components. But since I just got N+1, I now have a "bad weather commute bike".

One thing I will likely NOT do again, is to head home trying to beat a forecast of hail. I was pummeled by hail the size of shooter marbles, and ended up with purple bruises on my legs and arms. I passed one other guy in the middle of it, when you couldn't even see the flooded path, and we laughed hysterically at each other. Yowza!

I am pretty good at studying the weather radar and avoid the rain if possible. But every now and then I get stuck in it or sometimes a commitment will cause me to ride in the rain. Last year I signed up for the tour de cure - it was a rain day and the first 1/2 of the ride was a constant rain. I am not worried about rain hurting the bikes, my CF bike won't rust. My steel bike won't rust either, it is nickle plated. Bearings all sealed and unless you drive water in with pressure they are fine. Just hose off the grit at the end of the ride and things will be OK. I have never been one to need to maintain appearances in pristine condition, just need things to be mechanically sound. So I prefer not to ride in the rain, I will pick the best time to avoid it but I will go in it if I have to.

At temperatures over 70F, rain is free sweat. And a nifty pre-rinse, too; wipe the bike off with a rag when you get home, and it's cleaner than when you started! or at least when I started...

At temperatures over 70F, rain is free sweat. And a nifty pre-rinse, too; wipe the bike off with a rag when you get home, and it's cleaner than when you started! or at least when I started...

I appreciate summer rain showers to take off some of the sweat/salt accumulation. Of course, the bike doesn't sweat. It gets gritty...so needs the first bath when we're done. I get the 2nd bath.

Usually rain is pretty fun to ride in. In heavy traffic or with no shoulders - it can be terrifying. I worry about driver visibility and judgment (because only the most mature drivers ACTUALLY SLOW DOWN AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION when it's raining.:notamused:

I appreciate summer rain showers to take off some of the sweat/salt accumulation. Of course, the bike doesn't sweat. It gets gritty...so needs the first bath when we're done. I get the 2nd bath.

Usually rain is pretty fun to ride in. In heavy traffic or with no shoulders - it can be terrifying. I worry about driver visibility and judgment (because only the most mature drivers ACTUALLY SLOW DOWN AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION when it's raining.:notamused:

The operative word was MATURE...

Fenders and very powerful blinking head and tail lights do the trick. Then too, a Showers Pass breathable rain jacket (with Event membrane) adds to the comfort. It's all how you approach it. We backpacked and canoe tripped in the rain and sometimes snow/ice. Cycling in the rain is relatively simple.
Al

A different rendition from last weeks post:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5SuDN58OsA

It's just rain fellas. Your not made of sugar and it's not going to ruin your bike.

It's just rain fellas. Your not made of sugar and it's not going to ruin your bike.

Yeah, well, that doesn't mean I gotta like it.

Riding in the rain is not so bad as long as it is reasonably warm. Of course, riding in heavy traffic in the rain is not a good idea but then again riding in heavy traffic is often not a good idea. Being comfortable riding in the rain can be handy. On a long ride, it is easy to get caught out in the weather. Also if you are doing a multiday ride and there is not enough support to get you to today's destination, you have a choice, ride or ride.

Never thought it was more dangerous other than traction


Lightning kinda sucks

I live in a rainforest, if I don't ride in the rain, I won't ride except 3 months a year, and even that is iffy. But, the rain is warm. As far as grit, etc, well that is what the hose is for. I do replace components for sure, but that is also due to the sand / gravel I often ride over.

I'd like others input on what gear they use to ride in the rain. I might attend events in another state at times, and though it hasn't happened yet, I'm not going to travel that far and NOT RIDE [even if in the rain]. So, what's preferred? Ponchos? Street raincoats? Pants suits? What works?

Unless you're at risk for hypothermia riding in the rain is really no big deal. It is just a matter of getting used to doing it which you won't do if you don't ride in it. Sort of a chicken and egg thing. I get a lot of experience riding in all kinds of weather because I commute. This proved useful on my last tour when I was riding the Mississippi river. The last section was in Minnesota and I had 80 to 100+ mile days. A couple of those days it rained heavily most of the day and was in the 50s. If I hadn't been used to riding in the rain I would have never made it to Lake Itasca in time to catch my flight home. Once you get used to riding in bad weather you will be able to relax a lot more when it is good weather because you won't have to worry about the weather turning bad because you know can handle it. At the end of the day I would much rather ride in the rain than be in a car. I really recommend commuting if your circumstances allow for it ... builds character.

I do lots of things in the rain. In addition to riding & commuting in the rain, I work in my garden in the rain, walk in the rain, and take photos in the rain. Sometimes being in the rain helps keep me in touch with the fact that I'm a real creature living on a real planet and not some protected thing living under a bubble designed to protect me from everything.

The one thing I really miss about the West Coast is the day/ week long soaking steady rains. Very zen like effect just to sit, watch, listen and smell. I don't mind riding in it at all, in fact, some of the best rides I have done were in non-stop rain. Unless it is cold, I don't wear any rain gear. You are going to get wet anyways so why get overheated to begin with.

I don't mind riding in the rain if it's not cold and windy. If I know it will be a wet ride I'll attach a clip-on rear fender to the bike to keep my shorts from getting wet. I hate that soggy diaper feeling after getting out of the saddle then go back to seated and water squishes out.

I loved that visual, AJ!

I've run in the rain, but still - I won't intentionally ride in the rain. If I'm caught out in it, well, so be it.

And, I do not like the idea of dirty water permeating the various components on my bike! I can clean it off, sure, and I can clean the chain and derailleurs. But, water can get into the steering stem (there's bearings in there, right?), and into the bottom bracket, and so on. I don't see seals in those areas to prevent anything other than an occasional washing - a soaking with the parts in motion just seems to me to be asking for trouble.

That is the way I feel about it, sarals. I wont start a ride in the rain, but, will finish a ride if I am caught out in it. I hate cleaning the bike after as much. I am aware that we must be extra careful because our stability and braking ability is reduced, and driver visibility is reduced as well.

It does develop character! The drivers look at us and think "Look at those characters out riding in the rain!"

Automobile traffic around here is at or above capacity during rush hour. Consequently, a good rain (or snow, for that matter) quickly leads to gridlock as cars either slow, have fender-benders, or both. The resulting scene brings to mind a motorized version of a medieval flagellents' procession http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LrvGFkCEL._SS500_.jpg. I have a perverse admiration for the fortitude of the motorists who endure this self-inflicted suffering, but am glad I have a bicycle to make my life easier. I started bicycling because I was too lazy to drive at rush hour, and that is particularly true when there is weather.

I don't think motoring under such unfeasible conditions develops character. As far as I can tell, it's all road rage and coronary heart disease.

Paul

I'd like others input on what gear they use to ride in the rain.

I ride thousands of miles each year in the rain (it's Seattle, after all). If I didn't ride in the rain I wouldn't ride much at all. We have many days of wet roads and very light rain; it's very common on my one-hour commute to have 10 minutes of light rain and 50 minutes of wet roads. Unless it's pouring I hardly even consider it "rain" any more.

Most important gear:
1. Fenders
2. Showers Pass rain jacket
3. Goretex cap over my helmet
4. If it's heavy rain, I wear a baseball hat under my helmet to keep rain off my eyes.
5. Waterproof shoes (Specialized BG boots if it's cold; shoe covers if it's warmer).

In terms of everything else, it depends on the temperature -- I'll wear anything from shorts to thick tights, depending on the temperature. I have rain pants but almost never wear them; I don't like riding in them. My favorite new piece of gear is some Ibex wool knickers, which are fantastic in either wet or dry weather down to the low 40's.

In terms of wear & tear on the bike -- you will wear out rims, brake pads and chains faster by riding a lot in the rain. I just had to get a new rear wheel on my commuter bike after about 5,000 miles; probably a third to half of that was on wet roads.

And, I do not like the idea of dirty water permeating the various components on my bike! I can clean it off, sure, and I can clean the chain and derailleurs. But, water can get into the steering stem (there's bearings in there, right?), and into the bottom bracket, and so on. I don't see seals in those areas to prevent anything other than an occasional washing - a soaking with the parts in motion just seems to me to be asking for trouble.

You are overthinking this. Your bike is designed to be ridden in wet conditions and won't rust/fall apart/suddenly degrade because you rode it in the rain. I live in the same area as BengeBoy (and ride in the rain a lot) and have put almost 10,000 miles on my bike since I put it into service at the start of 2010. I can attest that the headset and bottom bracket bearings are just fine and have many more miles in them. I do have to clean and lube my drivetrain more often in wet conditions and if you run rim brakes (I have discs) you are going to wear out your pads/rims a little faster, but that's about it.

You are overthinking this. Your bike is designed to be ridden in wet conditions and won't rust/fall apart/suddenly degrade because you rode it in the rain. I live in the same area as BengeBoy (and ride in the rain a lot) and have put almost 10,000 miles on my bike since I put it into service at the start of 2010. I can attest that the headset and bottom bracket bearings are just fine and have many more miles in them. I do have to clean and lube my drivetrain more often in wet conditions and if you run rim brakes (I have discs) you are going to wear out your pads/rims a little faster, but that's about it.

Agreed. All the bearings are greased as are the housings. There is no real water pressure being applied. I consider everything but the frame a rotable part though. I expect to replace them at least once during my ownership. By then, I am ready for a new frame just for change sake.

You are overthinking this. Your bike is designed to be ridden in wet conditions and won't rust/fall apart/suddenly degrade because you rode it in the rain. I live in the same area as BengeBoy (and ride in the rain a lot) and have put almost 10,000 miles on my bike since I put it into service at the start of 2010. I can attest that the headset and bottom bracket bearings are just fine and have many more miles in them. I do have to clean and lube my drivetrain more often in wet conditions and if you run rim brakes (I have discs) you are going to wear out your pads/rims a little faster, but that's about it.

I probably am. What is the root of my worry? I saw some black stuff weeping out of the bottom of the stem, at the top of the forks, after a wet ride, and I thought "uh-oh". Then, the forks started "clunking" not too long after that. Well, the fastener on the top of the stem was little loose, and tightening that took care of the clunk. What bothered me, though, was the black residue, and that, coupled with a story told to me by a girlfriend about her steering stem bearings seizing in the frame and ruining the frame and the forks, reinforced my notion that this bike didn't belong on the road in wet conditions! Granted, I do look after my bike, as you do, but I know a lot of people don't. The poor thing could be screaming "lube me" or "wash me!" and they'd never notice it. I have no idea how sturdy a "performance" bicycle really is when it comes to dealing with the elements, is it really a "continuous duty" machine? Oh, it probably is, but I don't rely on it for a day to day transportation appliance. I have the choice, and my choice is not to ride it in wet conditions. It's a beautiful machine, and I want to keep it that way, and I want it to last. OCD? Ha! Maybe!

I have no idea how sturdy a "performance" bicycle really is when it comes to dealing with the elements, is it really a "continuous duty" machine?

Great questions. I know that in Seattle there are lots of people who have "good bikes" vs. "rain bikes." Over time, though, I realized that I was spending a lot more time riding in wet conditions than dry conditions so I got a really nice "rain bike" for my daily commute. Then, this last winter, I finally put fenders on my "good bike" and rode the dickens out of it all winter. I got in lots of miles in the winter -- but also beat the tar out of it. I just finished my spring overhaul of both bikes -- 8 new brake bads, 2 new shifter cables, two new tires, one new rear wheel, two new chains, and a very thorough clean of each bike. *However,* there was no damage to the finish of either bike; on a dry day you'd never know that either one had ever been ridden in the wet.

Great questions. I know that in Seattle there are lots of people who have "good bikes" vs. "rain bikes." Over time, though, I realized that I was spending a lot more time riding in wet conditions than dry conditions so I got a really nice "rain bike" for my daily commute. Then, this last winter, I finally put fenders on my "good bike" and rode the dickens out of it all winter. I got in lots of miles in the winter -- but also beat the tar out of it. I just finished my spring overhaul of both bikes -- 8 new brake bads, 2 new shifter cables, two new tires, one new rear wheel, two new chains, and a very thorough clean of each bike. *However,* there was no damage to the finish of either bike; on a dry day you'd never know that either one had ever been ridden in the wet.

Hmmm......

Does it stand to reason that a mountain bike would stand the test of time in the elements better than say, my Look road bike?

I think it has more to do with the quality of the headset and bottom bracket components installed on your bike. I have one road bike. I ride it 36 miles RT to work and back just about every day of the week. One weekends I may do a longer ride. It gets ridden in pouring rain, light rain and drizzle. It's even been ridden in the snow a few times (not my brightest moments). When I built the bike, I installed a high-quality headset, and high-quality Cranks/bottom bracket bearings because those are two places where quality really shows. Since installation neither the headset or the bottom bearings have needed to be touched or serviced. I've replaced the chain once (the original one stretched), replaced the rear shift cable three times (more a function of a very hilly commute requiring a lot of shifting then a function of riding in the rain) and replaced the brake pads once (normal wear, wet weather riding does not impact the wear of disc brakes much).

Hmmm......

Does it stand to reason that a mountain bike would stand the test of time in the elements better than say, my Look road bike?

I think not. I did live in the mountains and rode in the snow a lot, it was great fun. I still like mtb rides in the rain if the surface is right. There is an area near here which is sandstone and can't get muddy.

Hmmm......Does it stand to reason that a mountain bike would stand the test of time in the elements better than say, my Look road bike?

In my opinion (based partly on experience, partly on conjecture):

- A bike with disc brakes will be somewhat less maintenance because you won't wear out your rims as quickly. Riding in the rain with rim breaks puts a lot of wear on your rims because in the wet you pick up a lot of road grit that helps wear out your rims much faster. (One solution to that is popular in Seattle is ceramic-coated rims; Mavic makes some but they're pricey).

- Likely a 9-speed chain is going to last longer than a 10-speed chain.

The ultimate bike for riding a lot in the rain? Something like this Co-Motion Americano....
- internal gear rear hub (fewer exposed derailleur parts to clean)
- Gates carbon belt drive (no chain to wear)
- disc brakes

http://co-motion.com/index.php/singles/americano_rohloff