wristwister

So I've been at this bicycle commuting thing for a couple weeks now and enjoying the hell out of it, despite the sore muscles. But this morning was a moment of truth, and I failed! I was getting ready to go, looked out the door, and it was raining. Not a hard rain, just the typical PNW drizzle. I debated for a while, yes I've got decent rain gear for riding, yes my panier is waterproof, but in the end I flaked out and took the car. I ... feel so ashamed. Are there support groups for this kind of thing?

Anyway, this got me to wondering, how many of you ride the bike rain or shine, Vs. how many of you are fair weather commuters?

ibcrewin

Funny you should mention this. I just got a set of Cascadia fenders for my Dawes and it made a huge difference in my rain day commute.

I usually check the radar on my Ipod before I head out. If I see a lot of light green then i'm okay and I go. If I see some patches of yellow or red, then I'll take the train. I'm not a full out hardcore rain rider, but I'm getting there. Once I save the pennies, I'm getting a rain cape fo sho!

vtjim

I love riding in the rain, except for the added chain maintenance. You've got the gear. Go ride.

bcarter6

I ride rain or shine. I have a pair of rain pants and a rain coat which keep me marginally dry. I figure as long as I can keep most of my skin dry, I'm not all that miserable. But my head/hands/feet, they are going to get wet, but they are also easy to dry. Otherwise, rain happens and it doesn't hurt.

I sympathize with you though, but for me it was all a mind game. I just had to make myself get out there and do it a couple times and realize that there was nothing all that miserable about the rain, especially since I change when I get to work either way.

uke

I'll ride home in the rain, but I won't ride out in the rain.

jtarver

It doesn't rain a whole lot here and when it does the cagers act all crazed. I usually feel like I'm gonna take a spill and get run over 3 times before anyone notices. I don't mind the rain, just the added danger, so I usually catch a bus or get a ride from the wifey. Don't beat yourself up aout taking the occasional day off...just do your best!

limeylew

I think you made a smart choice. Basically, if you're not comfortable riding in the rain, you're better off not doing it.

I've been car-free for 5 years and do ride in the rain but I'm particularly cautious about where I ride when it's raining and avoid heavily traveled roads. Also, I make sure to wear my 'high viz' clothing and lights, too.

Hope this helps you.

mechanicalron

My first year "car free", I could not wait for the first snow so I could ride in it! I embrace the weather and it is all part of my accomplishment thing. people think I am nuts at times but it makes some people think!

CliftonGK1

I'm not too far from you, OP; just down in Redmond, so I understand what a drag it can be to commute in the rain around here. It's not just commuting in a day of rain... It's day, after day, after week, after months of rain all friggin' winter.
I'll admit, I get pretty sick of it, too. The past couple weeks, there have been days where I woke up and took my dog out for her morning walk, then gone back to bed for an hour and drove in to work because I'm just sick and tired of the cold temperatures (below 40) and rain.
I'm more likely to put on my gear and head out into the rain in October or November than I am 6 months later and I still have to suit up in 3 layers of wool, long gloves, shoe covers, etc. and face the prospect of putting the same (still damp) gear back on in the evening to head out into more, albeit slightly warmer, rain.

stringbreaker

Thats me too. I leave before the sun comes up and when the glasses get rain or fog on them I can't see diddly so I drive and live to ride another day. Is it me or do others get sort of disoriented when riding in the rain when its dark even with good lighting and some street lights.

woodway

I live about ten miles south of the OP. Rain doesn't bother me at all. I commute year-round 2-3 days/week on average. Snow/black ice is the only thing that keeps me off the road.

baron von trail 

+1

I don't mind riding in the rain, but riding in to work during weather creates too much hassle. Biggest drag is the wet clothes. The wet gear on the bike isn't too hot either. The shoes are an issue too. Even with the water-proof booties, they get wet. The time right after the ride is just no fun.

OTOH, rides home in the rain are awesome. I like them better than the "perfect" days.

harpdog

Rain in the morning - I drive (whimp). Dealing with all the wet clothes at work is a chore.
I don't mind getting soaked on the way home.

Tabor

I rode today, in the rain.

wristwister

Thanks folks. Yeah, I've been caught in the rain on the way home, and that's no big deal. It's light outside and warmer, I can hang my wet stuff to dry, put the shoes over a heater vent, and by morning I'm good to go. I hear what you're saying about heading out in the rain in the morning. I start out about 5:30 when it's still dark, so dark + rain + wet isn't a real appealing combo. Plus I really don't have a good situation at work for dealing with soggy clothes.

I'm feeling a little better about my decision to bag it this morning. Maybe I'll do a brutal ride this weekend instead.

Ka_Jun

Depends of if it's a cold rain/heavy visibility limiting rain. If it's just sporadic showers or lightly coming down, I'll go out. If it feels cold or looks like I'm going to have trouble seeing, I'll wave it off. Nothing like a warm rain to cleanse the spirit, though.

HardyWeinberg

come on ya pansy. My wife rode in this today, and it had completely stopped by the time she got to her office. Might even be sunny for the trip home.

evblazer

Rain here almost always means severe weather. A nice downpour, prolonged thunderstorm, maybe some hail and lots of gusty wind to boot.
Last summer I wore sandals so shoes weren't a problem. I'm using road shoes now so it would suck to ride in with a downpour though I have done it I just need to bring an extra pair of cycling stuff to ride home in.

baron von trail 

Where you live, riding in the rain is an essential. It's that or don't ride much, I imagine?

pdxsteve

I'm spoiled with 10 hour shifts (clothes have a chance to dry), a full locker room with showers (yeah, working for the government rocks) and I get to ride between two states every commute.

I can see how others without these amenitites might want to drive.

FreddyV

I usually don't ride during the rain. Today there's a 70% chance on rain. I did ride the bike here, with only a clip on rear fender. Mainly because I want to htfu and feel better about myself.

I had a late shift though, starting at 1:30PM and ending at 10PM. Looking outside I think my chance on rain is pretty much gone.

mjw16

I ride in the ride but I don't always like it. A light drizzle on a warm day, especially on the way home, can be nice. I'll just wipe the bike down (maybe), hange my clothes, and jump in the shower. However, a heavy morning downpour, in cold weather really, really sucks. Starting the day cold and wet is tough, plus my shoes/clothes may or may not have thoroughly dried by the time I head home. I like to try to wait out the worst of it then go but, I figure, 35 minutes in the stuff isn't going to kill me and I feel a lot better once I've dried off and put on dry, warm clothes. The rain does a number on the bike though, drive train especially.

CliftonGK1

Not that it's a brutal ride, but there's the Daffodil Classic century down in Orting on Sunday.

PaulH

Drive in the rain -- no way! Around here, traffic backs up like crazy when it rains, and the only sensible course of action is to wimp out and ride a bike.

Paul

unixpro

I also live in the same area as the OP, and I also rode today. Heck, today it was even (relatively) warm. It was 50 down in Renton and 49 when I went past the Honda dealer in Bellevue. Rain on the outside or sweat on the inside. Choices, choices.