Catgrrl70

So, on my way in to work this morning, I was thinking about how much rain it takes to make me not ride in (excluding the frozen variety of snow/ice). Riding down Marginal Way was to say the least interesting in that in several places the roadway and bike lane were entirely submerged. Couldn't see what was under there. At one point downtown, I hit a manhole cover under another large puddle and my back wheel slipped, luckily my momentum carried me through it. These are not "puddles" but more like large bodies of water which cannot be avoided. My route home will not be any easier as the west side of Marginal Way is in even worse condition, plus road grates and construction added on to it.

I suppose my limit is when I cannot see the roadway due to the volume of water, and thus potential hazards. But then I'd be on a bus, stuck in traffic. Catch-22.

scozim 

That's an easy question for us in E. Washington (at least for me) - if the road is wet I don't go. But, that's also because I know in a day or so it'll be sunny again. Not so easy on your side of the state.

vaticdart

As a Seattlite, that's one of the funniest things I've read today.

To the OP: most of South Seattle is horrid when it's really wet. Between the potholes, manhole covers, cracks, tracks, debris, and who knows what all, I generally avoid riding there in wet conditions. But then I work and live in Ballard and Wallingford.

Any possibility of a better wet weather route? Adding some miles would be worth it to not deal with bottomless puddles containing unspeakable horrors.

Catgrrl70

Any possibility of a better wet weather route? Adding some miles would be worth it to not deal with bottomless puddles containing unspeakable horrors.

Well going to/from West Seattle...I could take 1st Ave South, but the traffic there, and buses really put me off it. Oh, plus the train crossings which can block the route to the lower bridge entirely. And this doesn't even include construction issues with the Viaducts.

So Marginal is really the best way, but for the puddles/lakes. That's really the only place it gets really bad, unless storm drains start backing up in the Delridge area...like last December.

sharkey00

Hmmm my solution is take out the mountain bike with front suspension and meaty (1.75) slicks. I can ride through most things on that and just have some grumbling to show for it.

My problem right now is wet leaves. They are not making my life easy.

The good news is it just got sunny for the ride home.