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Commuting in the rain

Old 06-02-16 | 09:25 AM
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Not like riding in rain. Too wet.
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Old 06-02-16 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by 1nterceptor
But cleaning my bike(s) in the bathtub is making me less motivated to ride in the rain.
Only rain cleans my bike
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Old 06-02-16 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006
Not like riding in rain. Too wet.

Would you be more willing if rain was somehow less wet?
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Old 06-02-16 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by andyprough
Would you be more willing if rain was somehow less wet?
Yes. If it was less wet I'd definitely like it more. If it just came down and didn't spray back up, dirtying my bike then yeah, that'd be great.
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Old 06-02-16 | 10:14 AM
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Texas Does Flooding rainstorms well .. 3rd Coast.
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Old 06-02-16 | 10:23 AM
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not a big fan of riding in the rain because I wear glasses and don't like the rain drops on my glasses. I am also a bit concerned about other cars riding in the rain and not seeing me as I ride. A gentle rain is pretty peaceful though but heavy rains make me nervous.
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Old 06-02-16 | 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by RidingMatthew
not a big fan of riding in the rain because I wear glasses and don't like the rain drops on my glasses. I am also a bit concerned about other cars riding in the rain and not seeing me as I ride. A gentle rain is pretty peaceful though but heavy rains make me nervous.
Wiper glasses to the rescue:

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Old 06-02-16 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by andyprough
No...
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Old 06-02-16 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by andyprough
Just might work.
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Old 06-02-16 | 11:39 AM
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Doesn't matter; just look at that thing...
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Old 06-02-16 | 12:05 PM
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Prescription available? no just kidding no.

Originally Posted by andyprough
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Old 06-02-16 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by RidingMatthew
not a big fan of riding in the rain because I wear glasses and don't like the rain drops on my glasses.
I commute with cycling glasses because my regular ones slip off when I sweat. Water getting on them does kind of suck, but the visor on my cycling cap helps reduce the water accumulation on them quite a bit.
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Old 06-02-16 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
I'd be surprised in someone in the far North said he/she loved riding in the rain when its cold.
Its just light snow at or below freezing. Not bad with a decent rain jacket and two layers or so under it. Its all good as long as the road is fairly clear. I wuss out with too much snow on the road.
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Old 06-02-16 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by rmfnla
Doesn't matter; just look at that thing...
C'mon. Function over fashion, right?
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Old 06-02-16 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ptempel
Its just light snow at or below freezing. Not bad with a decent rain jacket and two layers or so under it. Its all good as long as the road is fairly clear. I wuss out with too much snow on the road.
Just to be sure, you do love riding in the rain, right?
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Old 06-02-16 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006
C'mon. Function over fashion, right?
Only to a point, and that is way past it...
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Old 06-02-16 | 02:08 PM
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I've found that the worst rainstorms I've rode through were on days with a 20% chance of rain. I'm not sure why that would be, but it seems like it really pours on those days if it rains.
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Old 06-02-16 | 08:27 PM
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[MENTION=409376]GovernorSilver[/MENTION] you are right! I got a cycling cap and it really does a good job of keeping the rain off my glasses. My wife thinks it looks funny but it is pretty helpful in the rain.
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Old 06-02-16 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by RidingMatthew
@GovernorSilver you are right! I got a cycling cap and it really does a good job of keeping the rain off my glasses. My wife thinks it looks funny but it is pretty helpful in the rain.
Cool, man!

I have to credit my coworker. One rainy evening we were walking to a bar for happy hour. He was wearing a baseball cap and saying how surprised he was at the difference the cap made in the rain. So I was inspired to order a cycling cap. REI happened to have Art Crank moisture-wicking caps on closeout so I got one. It doubles as my "sweat manager" - does a much better job of reducing the flow of sweat over my eyes than the pads that came with my helmet.
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Old 06-02-16 | 10:47 PM
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I hit another glorious downpour on my way home tonight. Stopped at Costco after work, and when I came out and loaded up my bike for the ride home the skies opened up for the final 10 miles. Felt fantastic.

I think the rain-proof panniers I bought a couple years ago are turning out to be one of my best investments.
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Old 06-02-16 | 11:42 PM
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I don't mind being out in the rain when it's not too cold, but riding in the rain is a different story. I have no rain gear, no fenders. My panniers were once water resistant, but they're pretty worn now (I'm shopping for new ones right now in a different browser tab). So far, this year, almost all the rain has been cold. Road grit gets into everything - my eyes, my teeth, my panniers. I get out of work around midnight; there's no way I'm washing the grit off my poor bike (and re-lubing) when I get home.

No, I'm not getting much joy from commuting in the rain.

Incidentally, I wear glasses. Rain and glasses are a pain in the butt, but I don't remember it being much of an issue on my rainy commutes.
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Old 06-03-16 | 02:48 AM
  #47  
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Where I live, it rains a lot (over 46 inches since October '15). I don't like riding in the rain. When it rains, it's also cold. Getting to work soaked, freezing, and with a mud stripe that looks like I crapped myself does not do wonders for my mood. I also hate the grit and grime that gets caked all over my bike from riding in the rain. I mind the rain less if it rains on my way home. Plus, the rain makes life a little less safe.
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Old 06-03-16 | 04:39 AM
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Originally Posted by RichSPK
I don't mind being out in the rain when it's not too cold, but riding in the rain is a different story. I have no rain gear, no fenders. My panniers were once water resistant, but they're pretty worn now (I'm shopping for new ones right now in a different browser tab). So far, this year, almost all the rain has been cold. Road grit gets into everything - my eyes, my teeth, my panniers. I get out of work around midnight; there's no way I'm washing the grit off my poor bike (and re-lubing) when I get home.

No, I'm not getting much joy from commuting in the rain.

Incidentally, I wear glasses. Rain and glasses are a pain in the butt, but I don't remember it being much of an issue on my rainy commutes.
Get some Frogg Toggs to carry with you when they are calling for rain. They only cost around $20.00 and will keep you dry. https://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Dr...ds=frogg+toggs
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Old 06-03-16 | 08:03 AM
  #49  
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I enjoy riding in the rain too. My wife doesn't understand it, but she hates walking 15 feet from the driveway to the door in a light sprinkle.

A few things I've found make it much more enjoyable:
Fenders - The rain coming down is clean and refreshing. The muck coming up is nasty and serenity-sucking.
Waterproof Bags - Riding in the rain is fun, but sitting in the office in wet work clothes is not so much.
Temp - Riding in the rain is a lot more enjoyable above 40 degrees. From about 39 down to 32 if it's raining hard it can turn into a hypothermia risk. I'll still ride, but I have to be aware and make appropriate preparations.
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Old 06-03-16 | 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by RichSPK
Incidentally, I wear glasses. Rain and glasses are a pain in the butt, but I don't remember it being much of an issue on my rainy commutes.
I keep my sunglasses on in the rain (unless it's getting dark outside). Keeps the water from blowing into my eyes so much.
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