Originally Posted by
tjspiel
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.
+ 1 - Today was a great day to ride. The threat of rain is NOT the same as it actually happening. First off do not believe the weather terrorists on the local TV news, not only are the usually inaccurate, but even if they were they are not telling you what you need to know as a bike commuter. If you listen to them you will never ride. You only have 2 brief windows of time that you have to ride in, AM and PM. I have commuted countless times when the threat of precip was in the forecast and have not had to ride through it. And then so what if you do. I keep a rain cover for my pannier with me, and a plastic bag for the electronics as an added measure.