First Century, 70% chance of rain?
 

I'm all trained up and ready to go. The event starts Sunday morning at 7:30. It's my first Century attempt after 2 years of training. Last weekend I did 76 miles at 17.2 MPH over similar terrain. I've ridden before in 80 degree downpours and it was no big deal once I was completely drenched. Almost fun.

As the title states there is a 70% chance of rain and temps will be in the mid 70's. Anybody ridden in these conditions? I'll be riding in a short sleeve jersey and bib shorts. That's the only cycling clothes I own as I live in the Tropics of South Louisiana. For winter riding, temps all the way down to the frigid 50s, I have some long sleeve shirts but nothing for cool and wet.

I've got a windbreaker but I've got no place to carry it other than wearing it. If it stopped raining I'd melt in the windbreaker. My trusty steed is a minimalist Roadie.

Do you think I'll be warm enough with just the jersey? Is the windbreaker is a good idea? Is there some way of carrying it without having the type that folds into a belt pouch?

Thanks!

You will be OK.

You will be wet anyway with our gulf coast humidity.

I just rode 53 miles the rain 78*, with no rain gear.

You'll be fine.

I am slightly amused at the "frigid 50's" bit. Good one. That's still just shorts and tee shirt weather.

Now - since you're in Hammond how about I come down and do a ride then we can go out and bow hunt us some Gators :)

Of course the ride never happened without a report. Good luck.

Take the windbreaker with you. Assuming the windbreaker has a full length zipper wearing it fully open is not that big of a deal, people will think a superhero donning a cape just dropped them ;-).
If no zipper you can always wrap it around the top tube or seatpost and use the sleeves or a bungie cord to tie it up. Make sure it is secure and double check during rest stops it is safely tied.
Good luck and ride report when you can

One of the unwritten rules of cycling is that the odds are pretty good you'll complete your first century in the rain :) I'm not sure why, but the weather gods have a way of working it out so rain is not so infrequent during organized rides. It rained more than 75 percent of my first century, including some downpours. While it wasn't fun, the experience was memorable just because it was my first century. It's rained on subsequent events I've signed up for and, honestly, most of those I ditched. While it was memorable the first time, after that, it becomes "been there, done that" :) But that's just me.

I have done a century with 80% chance of rain.

It never rained where I rode.

A possibility -- take a cheap, throwaway plastic poncho. Or even a garbage bag with holes cut in it. Cut short enough to ride in. Wear waiting at the start and until you've ridden enough to warm up. Then throw it away.

You will be fine if rain does not bug you. Please make sure to have flat repair stuff and I would take two tubes. When it rains, everything sticks to the tires and you have a real increase of the chance of flats.

I would be concerned about the wind. Normally, here, if there is a 70% chance of rain at 70 degrees, that usually means the wind is kicking up high here.

I would do something to keep your feet dry and put some rainx or something on your glasses. Aside from that rain doesn't really bother me (not that we get a whole lot).

Aside from that, watch out for painted lines on the road and have fun!

Two centuries this year, in both, I had rain for about 30 miles of the ride. A regular jersey was just fine. Temps were high 60s/low 70s for both.

You'll be fine.

No. When I ride in the rain, when it rains here at all, it tends to be in the 30s and 40s F. You've got it made by comparison.

Think how disappointed you would be if you skipped the ride, and it didn't rain. Then go enjoy it.

Thanks guys, I needed that boost of confidence. I've never let rain stop me, no reason to start now. I guess all I needed was several "Go For it, it'll be okay" posts :)

It's kind of funny, for 60 or 70 mile rides I never even look at the weather. Something about it being a Century is different. Or maybe it's because it's my first. Two years ago, I'd read about you guys doing Centuries and wondered if it would ever be in my realm of possibilities. My bike and BF has been good to me!

Ride report to follow

On Gators: I live 1 block from the Kliebert's place. I've seen them filming the reality show there.

rain x on the glasses and skull cap to keep you warm just in case. Don't forget to ziplock bag your electronics

Hard to say what the 70s will be like; humid, calm, and 79, or 70, cold rain, and headwind? I'd suggest rolling up a garbage bag and stick it in your jersey pocket just in case it turns out to be the latter.

Have fun, and don't forget the report!

If you're riding the organized century event that I am guessing you are, the forecast is now for 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms. My suggestion, if you're going to ride, is to be on the lookout for places to take shelter if the thunderstorms contain much lightning. This rain event is the remnants of a Pacific tropical storm that crossed thru Mexico/Texas, so whether it will spawn much lightning is debatable according to my niece at the NWS office in Slidell.

As far as carrying the windbreaker if you aren't wearing it, I've seen people bungee one to their handlebars and/or seat post.

Cycling the backroads of the Northshore in the rain isn't my cup o' tea - good luck.

Weather? What weather? I commute every day rain or shine. A century is no different - I'll ride that in the rain every week as well. You get wet, but if you keep going you stay warm. Just be sure to have a change of clothes when you finally do stop because you get cold fast.