Ralleh

There are fewer cyclists on the paths too when it's raining so you have it all to yourself. The only ones out there are pretty hardcore and are smart enough to not do stupid things like the summer TdF crowd.

Pharmr

I'll ride if I get caught in it.....I won't start in it if I don't have to.

Maxximum

Update: I went out, it was wet on the roads, but not raining. I went a few miles out to the store, and back. On the way, it rained a little bit. My bike was wet. I wiped down most of it with paper towels, but I didn't lube the chain. I have no lube. What is a good post-rain lube?

hanksake

You are right. However, I try to avoid riding my carbon bike in the rain as a matter of course simply because of increased chance of accidents/discomfort, but last week I got caught in a downpour for about 20 miles. When I got home my frame (and me) were caked in debris, so I whipped out the hose and sprayed it off, then wiped down the drive train and that was that (before showering or peeling off my lycra, obviously). Pff.

grahny

Yes, in warm weather only - well, I'll go out in the rain if the weather is warm... obviously if you're already out and it starts there's not much you can do but ride in it anyway, regardless of temp. I actually enjoy rain rides though. Only difference is to brake sooner, take corners a little slower, and be super attentive to what drivers are doing because their ability to see you is more impaired than normal (and their ability to stop too). Just clean and lube your bike afterward and you'll be fine. Sealed bearings are a wonderful thing.

Machka 

Yes, of course.

No real complications. I wear a jacket, clean my bicycle after, and avoid descents.

Donegal

I allways check the weather before riding. I never take my road bike out in the rain if I can help it. I have been caught once or twice. When you subject your bike to water and road grime it gets into wheel bearings, headset and crank bearings and cable casings. Couple of good rides in the crappy weather and nothing feels the same. Your derailleurs hate the crud too. It seems that the road grit combines well with any lubrication and makes everything work like shi*t.

I pride myself on my machines running true and sweet. I also don't like the chafing that riding in wet shorts can bring. I ride because I like it and am a fair weather rider.

RubenX 

Central Forida here, what do you think? Let me put it this way: Whoever call this the "SUNSHINE State" was using drugs at the time.

Ralleh

The only chain lube I use is Dumonde Tech Lite.

jaxgtr

Florida, in the summer you will get rained on. Just clean the bike up and lube the chain.

Bob Dopolina 

I live in the tropics so...yeah, I ride in the rain.

Before that I lived on the Canadian West Coast so yeah, I ride in the rain.

What's the big deal? Spend 5 minutes, after your ride, with some soapy water and either a brush or sponge. Soap your bike up and hose it off. A dab of lube on the chain and you are back to shiny, shiny.

Your bike doesn't care. Why should you?

Cdy291

My to least favorit parts of riding in te rain are:

1) Riding with none KoolStop or SwissStop pads

2) It takes your shoes about 2 days to get dry.

Falchoon

Same here. Got caught in the rain during my commute home from work on Friday while on my roadie, as I live by myself I have no option but to ride (or stand in the rain and wait for a bus...). Surprisingly I wasn't that wet even though I didn't have a rain jacket on, as being winter time I had 3 jerseys and a thermal on as well as long knicks and booties. Bike was filthy though so I spent a good portion of Saturday afternoon cleaning it and relubing the chain. Had a race today, the weather forecast was all doom and gloom (wind and rain) but I finished the race about 15 mins before the rain came, so that was good!

MIN 

I like to wear my Rapha softshell so I ride in the rain to necessitate the occasion.

Neurodoc

I have this heater for drying out my ski boots. Worked great on my bike shoes the last time I got caught in a downpour.

Terror_in_pink

i used to commute in the rain. I had waterproof (shell) pants and a jacket in my bag at ALL times. I also had SKS race blades. this of course was on my commuter/track bike. I do not go for a ride in the rain, esp not with my sweet ass road bike.

Tourmalet

Not really. I've done it and didn't really enjoy it. I don't race and have nothing to prove to anyone. I ride for myself and my own enjoyment and fun. And it isn't exactly fun if I come home completely filthy.

rwg

What is this "rain" you are talking about?

(Sorry, somebody had to be the smart ass - it doesn't rain much here).

I will avoid it when I can. Since it rains like 10 days a year, it's not a big deal to drive or just stay home the days it rains.

mazdaspeed

I don't like riding my steel bikes in the rain, my bridgestone already has some rust I need to take care of.

carpediemracing 

lol my friend in nearby Vista told me this when encouraging me to come out for a "training camp" in February. I'd just gone through a 5 day "camp" in Gainesville where we saw sun for one day. I got to CA and it rained something like 14 of my 17 days there. Yeah, I rode, but yeah, it was wet. One squall came through across a small valley - I could see perhaps a mile of road when I crested a small hill. I saw a wall of rain coming at me. I stopped, put on my rain jacket, and about 15-20 seconds later got dumped on. I'm sure you remember that year (a few years ago), it was when everything was sliding off all the hillsides. I joked that I should go to Africa - the rain just followed me everywhere I went.

My friend also told me that everyone has bald tires because tread is only necessary for rain, and since it rarely rains, no one thinks about it - until it rains. And everyone's wipers are also dried and cracked, again because no one thinks about it until it rains. Then, since it rains about a minute, everyone forgets about their slick tires and cracked wiper blades.

cdr

stevesurf

I rode a lot this past winter in the rain.

The bike's Ti, so I'm not worried.

Like someone else said, dryin off the shoes for the next day's ride is tough...

Chris32

Same here.

CardiacKid

I enjoy riding in a nice summer rain. There are a few things to keep in mind.
Visibility is very limited for cars. Try and use a blinky light.
The rain tends to wash a lot of debris onto the road, so make sure you have plenty of tire changing supplies.
Use a visor. If you don't have one of those cycling hats, wear a baseball cap under your helmet.

cyclezealot

I have been known to. But, often find excuses not to. The club today left just after thunder and lightening was doing a lot of rattling about. Last night I readied by Klein race bike. Since I woke up too late , I did not feel like checking out my tour bikes in such a quick notice. Since I won't ride my Klein in the rain, that was today's excuse. Out of a likely 3 1/2 ride, we'd probably had ridden in about 20 minutes of rain. But, I don't like riding when lightening is about. / had my Fuji been saddled and ready to go, maybe I would have.

merlinextraligh

Rain starting in the middle of a ride, Act of God.

Starting a ride in the rain, Act of a fool.