How do you deal with rain?
 

Now that I'm getting back into riding,it's suppose to rain the next 7-10 days.:mad: I don't have a rain suit or a indoor trainer. That's next on my list.:) So it's either don't ride,or get soaked.It's not safe here when it rains.We don't have a good drainage system and water is left standing on the streets,not to mention flashflooding.What do you all do?

I just ride in it anyway and ride a route that isn't covered in water. I do have rain outer shell, a cheap one I picked up at Gander Mtn. It's not Goretex or anything like that, just a zip up to keep the cold rain off me.

Fenders, lights, and a rainsuit.

Yep. I have tried the indoor trainer route and it just aint the same. Indoors, I can climb off the trainer anytime I like. Outdoors, if Im 10 miles from home theres only one way to be done and no option to stop when I feel like it.

I ride all year long so I picked up a used Trek 7.3 specifically for rain/winter rides. I got tired of cleaning my carbon bike post-rain and its also fun to rig the trek out with fenders lights and panniers that dont go with my carbon bike.

Just head out into the rain - its fun in moderation ;)

I moved to the desert ;)

Rain is fine. Lightening is where I draw the line. Last summer lightening struck less than 100 yds from me on a bike. At which point I jumped off the bike and ran to the nearest house. No one was home but I just sat on their porch anyway. Scariest thing that has happened to me on a bike, including skidding on my back at 22 mph.

If it's warm and raining, pack dry clothes (including socks & undies) and a towel, and get wet. If it's cool/cold, use a cheap rain cape or whatever rain coat you happen to have. The cheapest rain cape is a plastic garbage bag w/ holes for your head and arms. Put your feet in plastic bags before putting your shoes on. If you wear glasses, wear a baseball cap under your helmet. Get fenders for your bike. You can also make them out of duct tape, cardboard, plastic milk jugs, wire hangers, etc.

I substitute with HBO, Pizza and my recliner:innocent:

What? It works for me :D

Its suppose to rain here tomorrow, since I spent today mowing the lawn I was going to ride on the MUP since it won't be busy if its raining. I have a hiking rain jacket that should be fine, my legs don't get too cold and 2 of my bkes have fenders, so its a good time to check out the fender coverage.

I usually skip biking and opt for running in the rain when its for a workout. I just hate getting my bike soaked, when I can avoid it. However, when I commute by bike, I just suck it up and get soaked :).

I usually try to ride between the drops. It doesn't work so well so I'll generally take a rest day. Or in this case, a rest week. Stupid rain.

I could hide behind the shield of anonymity in the internet and brag about how I ride/commute in the rain. The truth is, I ride if it is warm enough (over 50F) and on how strong it is coming down. If it is showers or light rain and no lightning, it is on. However, I am seriously considering getting a CX bike and throwing some fenders on it. Major suckage riding in the rain, right after it rains, without fenders, mainly rear one.

The only clothing items I add on when I ride in the rain are; a very light, and bright bicycle jacket and light shoe covers. I highly recommend having your flashers (bike lights), even if it is only slightly overcast, turn them on.

As for the streets, if I see a big puddle, I take my right to the roadway and get in the lane. Once I pass the puddle, I get back into the bike lane or ride the shoulder. I never, ever, ever, ever take the sidewalk.

hen I was a commuter I just gathered the right gear. now that I'm between jobs I rarely even ride and only in good weather. I put on some belly weight and i'm not happy about it. I miss commuting quite a lot

Make sure your car drivers know how to drive on wet roads. (Here in LA, they're crazy. Makes riding in wet more dangerous!)

Also, make sure you dry out your shoes ASAP afterwards. I use lots of newspaper stuffed inside, changed every ten minutes, and dried by a fan.

I also don't ride in rain when it's below 60-degs. I'm a wuss. I'm also 43yo. :D

u can't use age as an excuse on this forum. u may boast however! :-)

I'm left with a choice of riding in the rain, which comes down sideways a lot, or not riding from November until May. I just dress appropriately. If it's colder than about 45, that means goretex over cashmere over merino; if it's warmer than this, it's probably a lighter weight jacket that's DWR, but not waterproof. Then, I take a hot shower when I get home.

Some days, if it isn't too windy, I'll paddle the kayak instead of riding the bike. I'm going to get wet in the kayak anyway, so rain doesn't really matter there.

I tried the gym, and I still use it to swim and lift weights, but I can't do the aerobic machine for an hour at a time. It's too boring. On the bike, you get to play with inertia, and you get to change your scenery.

Average temperature for this year's Chilly Hilly was 34 degrees. The first half was dry, but then the snow and freezing rain came. It was ok until we got back on the ferry.

Cilly hilly is a ride I hope to one day aspire to. :)

On subject... I used to only ride when the weather was good. Now, since its a little warmer, (>50) I go out in some rain. If it's dumping... I'm going to start lifting weights.

After 6 months of drought here I would celbrate by getting right out in it.

How far do you live from Bainbridge? You can always hop the ferry with your bike, and do a(n unsupported) trial run at your own pace. If you have a GPS, you can even download the map so you don't get lost.

Its really up to you what you decide to do. I have some cheap Field & Stream rain jacket and pants I bought from Dick's sporting goods for about $60 total. I also have a bike with fenders.

If you really don't get rain that often than you may not need to buy gear or accessories for it. You can make do with what you have or just take those days off. I commute year round and really don't have anything cycling specific to deal with the weather.

I often ride in the rain, and I usually enjoy it. My rain recipe:

1) Fenders are a must for me, not only for direct rain but to keep off the mud when the roads are wet from a recent rain.

2) If the weather is warm (say >50F), I use a rain cape from campmor. Not too expensive, cool in the hot weather, light and compact enough to carry along when rain is threatening. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___50258 I swear by my campmor rain cape, which I've used for four years. Just a warning though-- it does slow you down. I'm not a performance oriented cyclists, so I always pick comfort over speed :)

3) If the weather is colder (say <50F), I use a Gortex rain jacket and breathable rain pants. Definitely less comfortable than the cape, due to the sweating. When it's cold, though, I will put up with some overheating to keep dry enough to ensure warmth.

4) In cold rains (low 30's), I will also wear my rubberized snow boots to make sure my feet stay warm. Low 30's and rain is the hardest weather to ride in, in my opinion. I much prefer going out on my snow bike at 0F!

5) I carry lights if I'm going to be out anywhere near dusk. Poor visibility can occur early on rainy days, so plan to be back early or prepare. Sometimes I will pull over during the periods of heaviest rainfall, when drivers have the toughest time seeing.

6) High vis all the way. My poncho is bright yellow. If It's dreary but not raining hard, so the poncho is off, I wear an ansi standard vest.

I, personally, don't worry much about puddles and flooded areas. I just go more slowly. Sometimes much more slowly. What's the rush? Remember, I'm not a performance oriented cyclist.

Just ride- some of my favorite rides have been on cool rainy Spring days.

Jim

I find that I get sweaty in any reasonably priced rain gear - so sweaty that I'm soaked anyway. So I worry far more about being warm than being dry.

Layers work really well - from about 45 degrees up to 65 - 70, knee warmers, arm warmers (both from smart wool - the wool content really helps keep you warm), base layer, jersey, wind vest, wool socks, I'll carry full gloves too - sometimes my fingers get cold. Oh, yeah - a pair of shorts is a good idea, too!

Below 45, similar except I'll substitute a rain jacket for the vest. I'll probably stash the vest in a pocket in case it warms up a bit. If it's really cold, I'll wear runners tights over the shorts (not under - then the chamois won't work as designed). Of course, really cold is a relative term - in 5 years, I've had to ride in snow 3 times, hail a half dozen.

The most important thing I've skipped so far is glasses - you will want some good ones, with a mild tint. Rain in your eyes is no fun at 15 mph. A cycling cap below the helmet will help keep rain off your glasses too (a mountain bike helmet with a visor built in might do the same - I haven't tried it).

And I turn on my taillight and low powered headlight.

JB

edit - if it's cold but not raining, I'm happy with a base-layer, vest, arm and leg warmers in addition to my normal riding attire - I warm up fast and find I just don't need that much to stay warm if I keep my chest warm.

waterproof windbreaker. works wonders. but i get dirty. oh well, its fun.

Flooded streets are unsafe. Driving rain cuts visibility to nothing, also unsafe. High winds that grab my wheels on slick streets are unsafe. Time to drive the car or call a bike buddy for sag. I have some taxi phone #'s on cellphone, haven't tried that yet.