tekknoschtev

I've commuted in a light drizzle before, but nothing like today, and I'd like to share my experiences for other newbies considering it.

1. Use lights. My blinkie was run over, and I haven't gotten the replacement in the mail yet, so I decided to stick to the trail. The storms were pretty wicked so it was kind of dark out and I didn't want to risk contending with motorists who are normally distracted when they've also got a massive storm to grab their attention.

2. Wooden plank decks/docks/pathways get VERY slippery when wet. It only took me about 5' (well closer to 10, the other 5 I slid ) to figure that one out. Admittedly I was moving a bit faster than I should have but 110psi slicks on a wooden plank pathway made the rear tire just slide out from under me. I popped the little cap around the bar tap out of the handlebars but fortunately it didn't fall into the water.

3. The signs saying that sections of the path may be under water weren't lying. Had I been by 30 minutes later, the river would have engulfed a good portion of the pathways going under bridges near my place.

4. Grocery bags alone are prone to tearing, use something a bit more robust when you strap it to your rack. I haven't gotten around to ordering panniers (still nursing the wallet from the purchase of the bike in the first place). Grocery bags inside of the pannier are probably fine.

5. When the water hits your face at 20mph - it stings a bit. But otherwise, as long as its not frigid its quite refreshing. Oh, and you still sweat a good amount even when its raining. I could taste the saltiness in the water dripping around my mouth.

6. As long as you're not wearing nice clothing, it can be a quite enjoyable experience. I don't think I'd enjoy cycling in rain gear but I can see where it might have its benefits for the ride in if you don't keep spare clothes at the office. I might use the MTB tomorrow if its still raining (looks likely) because I don't have a change of clothes at work and the thought of climbing into wet clothing just kind of irks me.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting soaked, except for the sliding I did on the decking but even that wasn't so bad. All of my coworkers thought I was nuts when I was rolling out of the office, bike right beside me and I surely got quite a few odd looks getting to the trail but hey, its nothing I'm not used to. It was a fun experience and I got to impress (or confirm my insanity with) my coworkers so it's all good.

lil brown bat

A LOT of stuff is slippery when wet: wood fer sure, also brick, cobblestone, and anything made of metal.

pinkrobe

nahh

thanks for the tips. first time out with the new bike a week ago it poured rain. and about an hour before that i took the fenders off...

riding in the rain is actually kind of fun, though.

i might add: w/o fenders the back of your shirt is going to get dirty, prepare for that.
-and-
avoid turning and braking at the same time w/ slick tires, i did a near 180 last time. (which was so fun cause i didn't crash!)

lshobo

Above-ground train and light rail tracks are downright deadly when wet. Float through with caution and at perpendicular angles when possible.

Junkdad

rain is easy when it's warm. cold rain takes a little more preparation.

I rode ~4 miles today in a downpour in just shorts and a t-shirt and felt like I was 10 again!

Sixty Fiver

There's a wooden bridge deck here that still bears the scars of my old mountain bike skidding across it at 40 kmh just after some morning rain had fallen.

Ka_Jun

There's a certain joy you experience from riding in the rain, warm rain, that is. Cold rain blows.

77midget

Rode in some rain last night-since the gear was all bagged and safe, it was fun-got all sorts wet through the puddles, and the car drivers must have thought I was nuts! It was nice since that was on the first 1/2 of the ride, and the second 1/2 was relatively clear, so I dried out a bit.

UprightJoe

Lightweight breathable rain gear isn't as unpleasant as you might think. I use it whenever it's raining - even in the middle of summer. I've found it to be much more comfortable than riding in wet clothes. Just stay away from the heavy vinyl stuff...

Andy_K 

I learned the wet wooden bridge thing the hard way too. Now I won't go through the park in question within a day of rainfall. I'd rather ride over ice.