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FWIW, I like the IOS App 'Dark Sky'. It's powered by forecast.io, and seems to predict on a finer grid. When it says "Rain in the next 10 minutes" or "Nearest precipitation 4 miles Southwest" it's been reasonably accurate. That's more actionable than "44% chance of rain".
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yes. i've ridden when it was 90% chance of rain and not yet raining. i've also looked out at a pouring monsoon, and pedaled out.
the positives is that there is no one on the road comparatively and it is really refreshing in the summer. the negatives is pouring buckets is kinda slippery. gripping handlebars. i use toe clips to keep my feet in place on my pedals so they don't slip. i also have a visor on my helmet that is good for the sun and the rain - so i can see. when in doubt, pedal out. |
My old commute involve about 3 miles of bike path under high tension power lines. Those always made me nervous when lightening was around, and I tried to avoid riding on those days. I'm not sure if the power lines would make good lightening rods or increase the chance of injury, and didn't want to find out.
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
(Post 18976875)
Not only have I ridden when there was a chance of rain, I've set out when it was already raining. What the hell are you afraid of? ;)
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I bring the fendered bike when good chance of rain. Last month I was overtaken by a real nasty thunderstorm, one of the scarier commutes for sure. Wind, hail, lightning, rain. I kept rolling b/c at that point mortality has been realized and not much else you can do but keep hammering ...."if the thunder don't get you then the lightning will..."
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Originally Posted by baldilocks
(Post 18978492)
The question wasn't as much about rain as riding in a thunder storm. As far as what I'm afraid of, a coffee shortage sounds pretty scary to me. :lol:
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I've gotten so I enjoy riding in a lot more rain than I used to. There's no reason to ride (assuming you have another option) if you're going to be miserable though, or if low visibility or other conditions are creating a safety problem.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dh...=w1024-h600-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RH...=w1024-h768-no |
I’ve ridden to work in any condition imaginable because I always ride no matter what. Of course, if lighting is striking I will be waiting it out. Year round bicycle commuting requires adapting to heat, cold, rain, snow, thunder, lightning, floods, droughts, ups, downs you name it. If this is the goal just wear the appropriate gear and don’t question yourself as to whether you’re riding in or not. If the goal is to ride once in a while or when conditions are ideal, then wait for ideal conditions.
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So did you ride?
Did you get drenched? |
The odds are with you. I always have a raincape with me on those days as well as spats for my shoes and gaiters to cover my pants if needed. It's all up to your own comfort, I would ride.
Marc |
Originally Posted by CliffordK
(Post 18981897)
So did you ride?
Did you get drenched? |
And now for the important question: was there enough coffee?
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
(Post 18977162)
. . |
Not this Mr. Wizard??
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
(Post 18977162)
Originally Posted by baldilocks
(Post 18975932)
I've rode to work all week so far. Tomorrow there is suppose to be a 15% chance of rain on the way there. 25% chance on the way back and thunder storms while i'm at work. Have any of you rode in a thunderstorm? I'll probably decide tomorrow morning, but what would you do?
Originally Posted by tarwheel
(Post 18977501)
I deal with this issue almost every day here during summer months. A 15-25% chance of rain would be a clear day around here and I would probably ride unless I had other compelling reasons to drive. I usually draw the line at about 50% but the forecasters around here are notoriously inaccurate at predicting rain. I have gotten caught in storms when forecasts called for a 0% chance of rain and more frequently we get no rain on days when forecasts are calling for 60-80% chance of rain.
I disagree with those who are downplaying the risks of riding in thunderstorms. The chances of getting hit by lightning might be slim, but your chances of getting hit by cars are not. Visibility is often very poor during heavy rain and drivers are much more likely to not see you. Add to that the risk from high winds, hail, falling limbs, slippery pavement, etc. My most useful iPhone app is called MyRadar and simply shows radar views of storms. I consult this app frequently, particularly during the afternoons when my ride home is nearing. I often will delay my commute to allow time for a storm to pass and sometimes catch a ride home with coworkers. The worst situations are severe thunderstorms that "train" over the area and can produce rain, flash floods and lightning that last for hours. This happens often enough around here that I am very cautious about riding when radar shows approaching storms. sometimes it is worth it to sit and read for 10 minutes while the storm rolls by. |
For commuting, it has to be 40% chance of rain or greater to make me consider alternatives. I also look at radar (or darksky) to see if I need to adjust my leaving time to dodge rain cells.
If it is dark& stormy – I just pull in and wait for it to pass. It just takes 15 minutes for the bad part of a summer storm to pass through (i.e. the strong winds and flying debris). After that it just settles down into a steady rain. In the summer (with a heat induced cell), it is usually gone in 30 minutes anyway. If it is hurricane or strong front driven, that could be a different story. I do like the smells of nature during or after a rain storm. Just don’t forget to lube up afterwards. (Commuted past an owl on the ground this morning. He had a skunk in his claws under him – now that was a distinct nature smell!) |
I rode this morning with varying predictions of rain, we'll see how good that decision looks when I go home.
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try it
One thing you may want to try, is to ride around the neighborhood by your house in the rain. That way you'll see it's really no big deal, and is actually kind of enjoyable. Do that a few times until you get a feel for it, then you won't have to worry if it's raining or not on a particular day.
Keep in mind that painted lines, steel grates/covers, get slippery in the rain. Be careful, but it's fun! |
Hubby rode this morning with light rain but its a 2min ride.
Id ride in rain but not a storm. |
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