Commuting in the rain
 

Every spring, I'm determined to do everything in my power NOT to get caught riding in the heavy rain. I rearrange my schedule, carefully check the forecast every morning and afternoon. Then when I finally do get caught in the rain, I love it - so refreshing. My first heavy rain ride was the final 5 miles of a hot 30 mile ride late last week - felt like I had jumped in a pool.

Now I'm looking outside and it's raining, and I want to jump on the bike and go enjoy it again. I've got a waterproof pannier I throw on the rear right side, so there's no concern about damage to anything.

Just thought I'd share on a rainy day in Texas. Rain - I hate it until I get stuck in it, and then I remember all over again how much I love it.

After reading the title i prepared to give tips. But there is no need :))

Rain is fun!

Exactly - no tips needed! Splash and love it!

We can't even talk about how Europeans ride in the rain better than Americans. :D

Some of my best rides have been in the rain, I actually look forward to riding in the rain (steady rain not necessarily a down pour)

:lol:

try living in England

:cry:

why even take a shower, to be honest********************?

I live in France, and each raining morning i see less bikes at the parking, that disappoints me. The French is not good enough in rain cycling. :)


i saw this couple of times here)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=524614

merveilleux

:thumb:

I once got caught riding in a tornado warning... the hail kind of hurt but sounded really cool hitting my helmet. Trees around me where swaying and I could hear them cracking, sirens were blaring. What a rush.

Rain is fine, but the day I decided to ride home in a downpour so heavy that the roads flooded up to the bottom bracket was a little much (mainly because I felt the need to re-grease it afterwards).

I find riding in the rain to be very peaceful.

Riding home in the rain on a warm day is very nice. Riding to work in the rain on a warm day is nice too, but it is generally accompanied by riding home in wet, soggy clothes which isn't fun. Riding in the rain on a cold day requires determination and proper clothing.

I felt some small pelting, like tiny pieces of hail, but decided to keep going and it cleared up.

The funny part was that I hadn't mounted my mud-guards, and found myself worrying about all the spray coming up from the road. And then I thought, "I'm soaked all over!! Why am I worried about road spray??" :D

This reminded me of a cylcocross race I did a few years ago in what one racer described as "biblical" conditions. Check out some great pics from Lasala Images here: 2013 Battle at Barlow CX - lasala-images

It was one of the most fun races I've done, but I couldn't wait to get dry and get home when I was done. I didn't check any of my bearings and the next week one of my pedals seized and unscrewed itself mid-race and I had to ride to the pit one-legged.

Now that's some serious mud.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Arc9Ij33A6s/maxresdefault.jpg

We've had a bunch of rainy days in ATX. Officially over 15.5" in the month of May alone. And yes, riding on our warm rainy days is nice. Much better than when it is 100+ and bone dry for much of our summer. And sure beats 38F-45F and raining, as often happens during our winter. Not cold enough to freeze to ice but sure cold enough to freeze me.
Heavy rains twice in the past week or so when I was looking at a long ride. Rather enjoyed them both.
Glad to hear you do, too !

If you're riding home in the rain around Chicago tonight it's my fault. I washed my bike over the weekend.

The Bicycle Gods will not be denied their pound of mud.

Rode home tonight in a steady downpour. It was glorious.

I also like riding in the rain, unless it's below about 50*F. Then rain gear and I still love it. Above that and it's just fun.

Those photos are outstanding! And this thread makes me want to go play in the rain right now. (Even though it is not currently raining)

I have observed that the "adult" way of things is to grouse about the weather, even though most of us work indoors 100% of the time. And I try to guard myself against the default, adult response of feeling personally offended and put out whenever it rains. I remember playing in the rain when I was a child and it was exhilarating! And being in a garden in the rain is very magical; the world has surprisingly different mystery and wonder when it's all wet.

When I had a backyard and garage; I didn't mind riding in the rain.
But cleaning my bike(s) in the bathtub is making me less motivated to ride in the rain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hheU...IoDLA&index=67

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jf...IoDLA&index=57

Sometimes rain can provide much needed relief when it gets hot outside.

I've heard a variety of opinions about whether or not cleaning the bike is necessary after exposure to rain.

Glad everyone seems to like riding in the rain so much.

I don't...

I really like riding in the rain when it's 90F and humid.

Not surprised the OP likes it, given his location.

I'd be surprised in someone in the far North said he/she loved riding in the rain when its cold.

Have had a lot of rain here in MN thru May. I am glad this year I finally invested in a nice rain kit. So far this year I have ridden in rain starting from a light drizzle to a all out downpour, during the downpour I look at my fenders and say "ridiculous."

I have found the lid on my helmet is the number one best piece to have on a rain ride.