Originally Posted by
jmilleronaire
Last summer, I was a fair-weather commuter. I have no plans to change that this summer. I respect those that have the willpower to ride when it's raining and snowing but I'm just not tough enough to do it.
I generally don't start looking into commuting until late May, but it's been unseasonably nice out lately. Unfortunately, it's early in the season and still pitch black for the whole hour that I'd be riding (11 miles each way). On Saturday, I cleaned and oiled my commuter bike, went to the LBS and purchased a good light set and a computer, and got everything set up and dialed in to begin commuting a month and a half early! I was excited to start commuting this week.
Today, thunderstorms all day. No commute. Tomorrow, same.
So I can't start riding in until at least Wednesday, and that's if the weather doesn't keep at it. I'm out of shape from the winter and want to change that, but I'm still not excited by the idea of buying fenders and rain gear. Maybe I'll have to reconsider, if the weather keeps doing this to me.
I think if you're planning to commute on a regular basis you just have to accept that you might get wet once in awhile. The problem with relying on the forecast is that they're often wrong. It's better to be prepared.
Take today for example. Though thunderstorms are predicted and probably will occur, you would have been dry on the trip into work, and likely back home too. Basically, you've let the
threat of rain keep you off the bike even though the biggest chance for rain isn't until this evening.
My kids are planning on riding their bikes home from school tomorrow. They have rain jackets and they might still get a little wet. Won't hurt them.