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Do you ride in the rain?

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Old 05-27-17, 06:49 PM
  #76  
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Usually after riding in the rain there is a lot of grit and sand on the lower part of the bike. A quick hose-down and then left to dry in garage does the job. The chain needs to be lubed more often though.
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Old 05-27-17, 07:04 PM
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Lower part? On my rainy ride yesterday, even the head tube was covered in grit and sand!
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Old 05-28-17, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
....why can't you ride at your preferred pace in the presence of other cyclists?
Where I commute, narrow/crowded bike lanes and heavy vehicular traffic make passing other cycles difficult in many places. It's a constraint.

Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
FWIW, I never had any problem in 40 years of bike commuting in the rain and never wore a merino wool base layer.
I began wearing merino wool base layers while doing backcountry ski tours - it stays warm when wet, dries fast, transports perspiration well and has anti-skank properties - which fabric do you prefer?
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Old 05-29-17, 06:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Archwhorides
I began wearing merino wool base layers while doing backcountry ski tours - it stays warm when wet, dries fast, transports perspiration well and has anti-skank properties - which fabric do you prefer?
I prefer to commute by bike wearing regular clothes that I already own and wear every day to include 100% polyester T-shirts that stay quite comfortable while riding if wet from sweat or rain that gets past my poncho and non-bicycle-specific outerwear. I do change to clean dry underwear at the end of a commuting trip if wet from sweat or rain, and/or at the end of the day. Carrying a change of underwear on my commuting bicycle, and washing clothes in the washing machine is not that big a problem for me. My regular clothes and laundry routine may not work well for back country ski tours, but then this is not the back country skiing forum.
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Old 05-29-17, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
.... My regular clothes and laundry routine may not work well for back country ski tours, but then this is not the back country skiing forum.
If I'm cycle commuting for an hour in 35 degree F weather with wet precip and wind, it doesn't feel much different from the same weather conditions on a mountain and the same garments are equally effective for both. Also, gear knowledge, like a layering garment, is quite transferable.
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Old 05-29-17, 06:12 PM
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Rain is a rare treat where I live! I ride in it gladly.
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Old 05-30-17, 07:07 AM
  #82  
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Round here the rain isn't just water falling from the sky, it's accompanied with heavy winds and lightning. That said, depending on the conditions, I'll ride in the rain.
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Old 05-30-17, 07:45 AM
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My commute is around 40mins each way and if there's any hint of rain in the weather forecast then I'll just take the train instead. Commuting through the city in rain is just not pleasant.
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Old 05-31-17, 07:12 AM
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I rode to work today in light misty rain. It was a very gentle rain.
But now the forecast shows that there is a 50% chance of thunderstorm right around the time I plan to head back home. Maybe I can use that as an excuse to slip out early
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Old 05-31-17, 09:15 AM
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It wasn't raining this morning, but the ground was wet. My bike got dirty. We are both fine.
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Old 05-31-17, 09:46 AM
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I didn't ride in the rain today
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Old 06-01-17, 06:35 AM
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The rain stayed away and it was a nice dry ride back home!
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Old 06-01-17, 08:54 AM
  #88  
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rains on the reg this year which is a pleasant thing to ride through in the right rainjacket instead of the usual headwinds
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Old 06-01-17, 02:02 PM
  #89  
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No.
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Old 06-02-17, 09:06 AM
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I own a canyon urban with belt drive. I do ride in the rain from time to time. But I tend to avoid it.
The belt and alfine internal gear hub makes riding in the rain and cleaning up afterwards a breeze though.
Just hose down the bike and your done.
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Old 06-05-17, 10:20 AM
  #91  
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I ride every day unless of snow. Full rain gear, fenders, lights as recommended. Hose down my messenger bag with waterproofing and I still get covered with grit from the road. Isn't pretty but it's also a lot clearer on rainy days as most ppl don't bike. Always extra cautious around cars since their visibility is limited, but otherwise I enjoy biking in the rain.
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Old 06-05-17, 11:16 AM
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i switch bikes when raining ( to make sure i ll stay safe on the road ) , i bike all year long - but where i live is pretty sunny so no heavy snowing in winter. just remember to have lights in rain and some change clothing
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Old 06-05-17, 11:39 AM
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cpl days ago, was thinking about this thread. throughout the day I had been checking the radar & watching the showers pass out my window. eventually took the plunge late in the day, certain I would have a dry ride. then of course I turned north into darker skies & eventually light showers (barely). started thinking, guess I do ride in the rain. it all dried up quickly tho but there were a handful of puddles to avoid

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Old 06-05-17, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Amitoj
50% chance of thunderstorm right around the time I plan to head back home. Maybe I can use that as an excuse to slip out early
totally
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Old 06-05-17, 12:14 PM
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Rain, snow, all of the above. I'm like the postman. I choose not to pay for the parking lot at work, so my only other option is walking or waiting for the bus, both of which also result in getting wet. Regardless of the forecast, my pack contains a high-quality Outdoor Research rain jacket, rain pants, rain shell mittens, and a seat cover. I haven't figured out a way to stop my face getting wet yet, so I just deal with that. You do get used to it.
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Old 06-05-17, 12:22 PM
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Seems to be more riding in the rain this year than I notice in previous years.
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Old 06-05-17, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ecnewell
Rain, snow, all of the above. I'm like the postman. I choose not to pay for the parking lot at work, so my only other option is walking or waiting for the bus, both of which also result in getting wet. Regardless of the forecast, my pack contains a high-quality Outdoor Research rain jacket, rain pants, rain shell mittens, and a seat cover. I haven't figured out a way to stop my face getting wet yet, so I just deal with that. You do get used to it.
I recently posted,
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
On my aluminum beater bike with a rack [and fenders] I use a Topeak Trunk bag, with smallish drop-down panniers because I carry more clothing items, especially for rain, like shoe covers, rain pants, a billed (sun) visor, and water resistant gloves.
If cold, less than about 50 degrees F, I have a warm cycling rain jacket, but too bulky to carry.

Last edited by Jim from Boston; 06-05-17 at 02:23 PM. Reason: added "and fenders"
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Old 06-05-17, 01:26 PM
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If your bike has fenders and lights ,generator preferred, then it should be no problem. I'd also recommend a chain guard or case. I myself wear a bicycle specific rain cape that covers nearly the whole bike while riding. Only exception to this is if there is lightning. I will not ride in lightning.
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Old 06-06-17, 08:51 AM
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If it is raining in the morning, I won't. If it is a light rain in the afternoon with no lightning, I will.

Unfortunately, in South Florida, we tend to not have as many light rain with no lightning events as we have driving rain and severe thunderstorms. I do not ride during those.

With the current weather pattern we've been having in South Florida this weekend and week, I have not been on the bike since Friday.
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Old 06-06-17, 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by mcours2006
Seems to be more riding in the rain this year than I notice in previous years.
I've noticed that as well. Although the rain seems to be relatively light like this morning. I didn't bother with the rain jacket with 0.4 inches for the whole day and "chance of rain" type forecast. The traffic in NJ (Leonia and Ft Lee) was brutal. I found out that there was a multi truck accident on the QBE that caused them to shut it down and back up traffic over the GWB for miles:

Cross Bronx Expressway crash causes major delays to George Washington Bridge | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

Yeeay.
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