Help with Riding in Rain
01-23-10 | 02:04 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 20
From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: 2006 Specialized Ruby Pro aka "Rhubarb" / and a backup road bike
I avoid riding in the rain but I've erred when I thought I could stay ahead of an incoming storm front.
Last time that happened, I was stuck at a red light at a busy intersection. I could see the wall of rain approaching and winds started gusting up to 40mph. It went from no rain to a sheeting downpour within a minute. I took shelter (once I got through the intersection) for 30 minutes until the rain lessened and the winds died down.
The longer I waited, the colder it was getting and I lost all daylight.
The busy hilly street I was on had the right lane flooded above my bottom bracket and water was rushing pretty fast towards the drains. It was not safe to drive in, let alone bicycle. Traffic was moving very fast with extremely poor visibility in half the usual lanespace on slick roads. The road also has some pretty good potholes and debris that could break a wheel or toss me off the bike.
I elected to ride my bicycle VERY slowly on the sidewalk, stopping at every driveway and intersection to make sure it was safe to proceed. No pedestrians to worry about -- but very high probability of a car not seeing me. The sidewalk was not flooded but I was still drenched tip to toe when cars drove by.
Fortunately this was less than a mile stretch; from there I was able to get onto quiet streets with better drainage. Still, the streets were really slick so I took a very leisurely pace especially at corners.
By the way, I talked to the local bike store about riding through low water crossings. They said they had a few cyclists bring in their wrecked bikes for expensive repairs or replacing the frame when the current was swift despite just a few inches of water.
.:
Do not ride on flooded streets or through puddles
Fenders and rain pants don't keep you dry from road splat
Visibility takes a dive when it rains. You may be able to see but cars probably won't see you.
On the sidewalk you need to understand that you just ceded ALL your right of way. Pedestrian speed AND check before crossing driveways or intersections.
Wet streets can be treacherously slick. Slow down and be cautious
Last time that happened, I was stuck at a red light at a busy intersection. I could see the wall of rain approaching and winds started gusting up to 40mph. It went from no rain to a sheeting downpour within a minute. I took shelter (once I got through the intersection) for 30 minutes until the rain lessened and the winds died down.
The longer I waited, the colder it was getting and I lost all daylight.
The busy hilly street I was on had the right lane flooded above my bottom bracket and water was rushing pretty fast towards the drains. It was not safe to drive in, let alone bicycle. Traffic was moving very fast with extremely poor visibility in half the usual lanespace on slick roads. The road also has some pretty good potholes and debris that could break a wheel or toss me off the bike.
I elected to ride my bicycle VERY slowly on the sidewalk, stopping at every driveway and intersection to make sure it was safe to proceed. No pedestrians to worry about -- but very high probability of a car not seeing me. The sidewalk was not flooded but I was still drenched tip to toe when cars drove by.
Fortunately this was less than a mile stretch; from there I was able to get onto quiet streets with better drainage. Still, the streets were really slick so I took a very leisurely pace especially at corners.
By the way, I talked to the local bike store about riding through low water crossings. They said they had a few cyclists bring in their wrecked bikes for expensive repairs or replacing the frame when the current was swift despite just a few inches of water.
.:
Do not ride on flooded streets or through puddles
Fenders and rain pants don't keep you dry from road splat
Visibility takes a dive when it rains. You may be able to see but cars probably won't see you.
On the sidewalk you need to understand that you just ceded ALL your right of way. Pedestrian speed AND check before crossing driveways or intersections.
Wet streets can be treacherously slick. Slow down and be cautious
