Rainstorms ruining my workout schedule..how do you avoid?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rainstorms ruining my workout schedule..how do you avoid?
do you just go ahead and ride anyway?
Living in the southeast afternoon pop up thunderstorms are a way of life. Too often this is messing up my ride schedule. This weekend I am scheduled to do 50 tomorrow and was supposed to do 25 last night. Last night's ride was rained out and tomorrow is likely to be rained out. I can probably fit in a shorter ride if I get up at the a$$ crack of dawn.
Sooo...how do you avoid this? What do you do if you are caught out and it starts thundering and lightning?
Living in the southeast afternoon pop up thunderstorms are a way of life. Too often this is messing up my ride schedule. This weekend I am scheduled to do 50 tomorrow and was supposed to do 25 last night. Last night's ride was rained out and tomorrow is likely to be rained out. I can probably fit in a shorter ride if I get up at the a$$ crack of dawn.
Sooo...how do you avoid this? What do you do if you are caught out and it starts thundering and lightning?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Westchester County, NY
Posts: 1,299
Bikes: Giant TCR SL3 and Trek 1.5
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Depending on where you live this year, that's been tricky. About the only thing you can do is use weather.com and similar sites to get an "hour by hour" forecast and use that to try and squeeze in a ride of the desired length when you can.
I used to not worry about getting caught in the rain since thunderstorms in the Northeast have historically been rare birds. But the last 2-3 years, we've seen a marked increase in summer temps and humidity and that's brought thunderstorms. Rain I don't mind getting caught in, but you have to consider things like suitable shelter areas if thunderstorms are potentially possible and that can be tricky, so I generally avoid those days. The way I look at it, if I'm stressed about potential storms or other issues the entire time I'm out, the benefit of the ride is negated too much.
If I do get caught out in one, I try to find an underpass ASAP. Unless there's a lot of wind, they'll provide suitable shelter until the storm passes. And thunderstorms usually pass pretty quickly since they're caused by small storm cells rather than large bands of precip that can go on for hours or even a couple of days.
I used to not worry about getting caught in the rain since thunderstorms in the Northeast have historically been rare birds. But the last 2-3 years, we've seen a marked increase in summer temps and humidity and that's brought thunderstorms. Rain I don't mind getting caught in, but you have to consider things like suitable shelter areas if thunderstorms are potentially possible and that can be tricky, so I generally avoid those days. The way I look at it, if I'm stressed about potential storms or other issues the entire time I'm out, the benefit of the ride is negated too much.
If I do get caught out in one, I try to find an underpass ASAP. Unless there's a lot of wind, they'll provide suitable shelter until the storm passes. And thunderstorms usually pass pretty quickly since they're caused by small storm cells rather than large bands of precip that can go on for hours or even a couple of days.
#5
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
#6
LET'S ROLL
Just ride, unless it's a lightning storm. Try to schedule your rides
early. Cooler temps and less chance of rain than in the afternoon.
Bring a jacket if you get cold easily or just get wet if you overheat
or get clammy in a jacket, like me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jf...IoDLA&index=45
early. Cooler temps and less chance of rain than in the afternoon.
Bring a jacket if you get cold easily or just get wet if you overheat
or get clammy in a jacket, like me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jf...IoDLA&index=45
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 456
Bikes: Trek 4900, Cannondale Cx-4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use an Airdyne in the house or a spinner at the gym. water means less friction, less friction means falling down.
#8
Full Member
Just ride, unless it's a lightning storm. Try to schedule your rides
early. Cooler temps and less chance of rain than in the afternoon.
Bring a jacket if you get cold easily or just get wet if you overheat
or get clammy in a jacket, like me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jf...IoDLA&index=45
early. Cooler temps and less chance of rain than in the afternoon.
Bring a jacket if you get cold easily or just get wet if you overheat
or get clammy in a jacket, like me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jf...IoDLA&index=45
#9
LET'S ROLL
In my area; drivers don't respect the police, pedestrians, red lights, other
drivers, etc. why would you think they would respect cyclists? Not riding
a bicycle because you're scared of drivers is stupid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oK7...IoDLA&index=43
__________________
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
One day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20X43026ukY&list=UUHyRS8bRu6zPoymgKaIoDLA&index=1
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
And it's also a remarkably good conductor of electricity.
Rain mostly just gets your bike all crapped up. Getting hit by lightning can ruin your whole day in the worst possible way.
I usually check the weather radar before heading out. Depending on what it shows, I plan my route accordingly. I choose a route that offers opportunities for relatively safe shelter, if thunder stoms are a distinct possibility.
Rain mostly just gets your bike all crapped up. Getting hit by lightning can ruin your whole day in the worst possible way.
I usually check the weather radar before heading out. Depending on what it shows, I plan my route accordingly. I choose a route that offers opportunities for relatively safe shelter, if thunder stoms are a distinct possibility.
#11
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
I agree on this part, though. My whole point was that the presence of airborne water alone shouldn't be enough to keep us inside:
#12
Senior Member
Remember that when it is snowing in the rest of the country that we can go out and ride.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah I don't relish riding on wet roads but its mainly the lightning I'm afraid of. Summer storms in South Carolina usually have thunder and lightning.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,725
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5791 Post(s)
Liked 2,581 Times
in
1,431 Posts
Twice daily I pull up the Nexrad radar map, locate the rain, and animate it to see where it's headed. I'll adjust my schedule and route to avoid where I think the rain will be, or I'll resign myself to getting wet.
Lightening isn't an issue for me, I just estimate the distance by the light/sound delay at 1,000 feet/sec. If lightening seems to be coming within 1,000 feet, I'll take a break until the cell passes.
BTW- I use weather underground -- Weather Forecast & Reports - Long Range & Local | Wunderground | Weather Underground -- as my key weather news source.
Lightening isn't an issue for me, I just estimate the distance by the light/sound delay at 1,000 feet/sec. If lightening seems to be coming within 1,000 feet, I'll take a break until the cell passes.
BTW- I use weather underground -- Weather Forecast & Reports - Long Range & Local | Wunderground | Weather Underground -- as my key weather news source.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#17
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
do you just go ahead and ride anyway?
Living in the southeast afternoon pop up thunderstorms are a way of life. Too often this is messing up my ride schedule. This weekend I am scheduled to do 50 tomorrow and was supposed to do 25 last night. Last night's ride was rained out and tomorrow is likely to be rained out. I can probably fit in a shorter ride if I get up at the a$$ crack of dawn.
Sooo...how do you avoid this? What do you do if you are caught out and it starts thundering and lightning?
Living in the southeast afternoon pop up thunderstorms are a way of life. Too often this is messing up my ride schedule. This weekend I am scheduled to do 50 tomorrow and was supposed to do 25 last night. Last night's ride was rained out and tomorrow is likely to be rained out. I can probably fit in a shorter ride if I get up at the a$$ crack of dawn.
Sooo...how do you avoid this? What do you do if you are caught out and it starts thundering and lightning?
Ride in the rain. Get some rain gear and mudguards ... and ride in the rain. That's what we've got "rain bikes" for.
If you are caught out and it starts thundering and lightning ... well, the thunder won't hurt you. As for the lightning, just keep an eye on it. If it gets close, take shelter in a ditch or under an overpass or something.
If you really don't want to ride in the rain, ride your "trainer bike" ... the bicycle you have up on a trainer.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#18
Senior Member
Get wundermap. It's awesome.
I have a Showers Pass jacket I carry this season.
Yesterday I got hit by a pop up. I have front and rear blinkies, and the jacket is hi-vis. I felt safe.
Lightning is a different matter. I seek shelter until it passes. Southern t storms usually don't last that long.
I have a Showers Pass jacket I carry this season.
Yesterday I got hit by a pop up. I have front and rear blinkies, and the jacket is hi-vis. I felt safe.
Lightning is a different matter. I seek shelter until it passes. Southern t storms usually don't last that long.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
BTW- I use weather underground -- Weather Forecast & Reports - Long Range & Local | Wunderground | Weather Underground -- as my key weather news source.
Wundergound Android app is the bees knees. Use storm tracks to better predict where / when the worst of the storm will hit you, or not. Actually works better than the web site.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 187
Bikes: Pinarello Veneto
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
rest is supposed to be as good if you are exercising all the time. i think rest is the point of exercising, since that when your body improves itself. i don't believe in cyclists even professionals, who say they are getting better by cycling all the time.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've had some of my fastest rides after coming back from a vacation, where I only did a couple of casual rides on borrowed bikes. Rest is good. Rest is especially good as we age. It doesn't have to be total rest. On rainy days, I like to hook up my bike to the trainer and do some easy to moderate spinning for 45 minutes to an hour or so. Headphones and some music that I've downloaded to my iPad helps with the trainer boredom.
#22
~>~
Club riders of my era had machines that would accept narrow mudguards and still provide a lively efficient ride, qualities rare in today's "performance" & "race" bikes.
I ride quite comfortably when others are loathe to dirty their uber-$$$-bikes or suffering slung-up road-spooge. Not necessary with a bit of requirements planning and a reasonable budget.
I do avoid cycling during lightning storms and take shelter if caught out in one, you'll know when.
-Bandera
Last edited by Bandera; 08-03-14 at 02:46 PM.
#23
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
#24
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
14 Posts
I live and ride in the deep south. Rain won't hurt you, hail and lightning will. Learn to read weather forecasts and the radar. Wunderground is one of the best. I use Forecast Advisor to find out who has the best forecast for the area I am in. If rain pops up while riding I roll on, thunder storm? I seek shelter IMMEDIATELY. Riding early in the day or late in the day will usually miss the worst of them. They are generated by the heating during the day. Fenders are your friends.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 1,604
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 75 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I actually like riding in a warm summer rain as long as there is no lightning, high wind, or hail. If I know it's going to be wet, I'll put the fenders on the touring/gravel grinder and use it. I'm sure to have a good blinky on the back and wear hi-viz. I may alter my routes in unpredictable weather to stick closer to towns and I make mental notes of places where I could take shelter when I'm out in the open. Just use your head and light to moderate rain will be no problem. I don't recommend that anyone ride in severe weather.