Riding in the rain!
 

Hi guys!

Normally when it starts raining I don't ride my bike, but yesterday I had no choice so I got my rain gear and of I went! At first I was thinking omg this is going to suck, but after a few minutes I felt like I was 8 years old again and having the time of my life!

Anyone else enjoy riding in the rain or I'm I breathing in to much car exhaust:rolleyes:

I'm with you. Like the man from Montana says "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes." I will spend money on good outer wear, wool, and good foot wear.

Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes the wind blows, and when it does, sometimes it blows in your face, sometimes from behind, and sometimes across.

I generally have a shower after riding in the rain, so obviously water falling onto my body isnt that bad :)

As long as you are warm, can see, stop, turn and go, all is good.

Enjoy the weather, in all its manifestations.

Just wear the right kit, for comfort.

z

Actually I really enjoy riding in the rain, as long as i don't have to be somewhere for a presentation or something, immediately afterwards! haha

Our rainy season is dragging on longer than usual this year, and I keep deluding myself into thinking I'm going to get a dry day. Three times in the last two weeks I've taken the bike with race tires and no fenders out on a dry morning only to come home in a steady rain with my back and legs covered in road grit. We've had at least some rain every day for the last 20. Between April and May it rained 43 out of 61 days and we're 4 for 4 in June. I'm ready for it to stop now. :notamused:

That said, riding in the rain once in a while is nice as long as you're prepared and it isn't cold and windy. Nothing drains your will to live like riding into a strong headwind on a 35 degree day in a constant downpour.

The best!

I love it, as long as it's not too cold or windy. I wear shoecovers but don't bother with other rain gear. Splish splosh splash!

Rain riding is pleasant. There's a different sound to wet roads, and watching spray off the front of the tire is fun. There's also a lovely smell. Even better is riding right after a storm, when you can stay dry but still enjoy the rain's benefits.

+1, I love the smell of rain and wet roads.

I feel your pain Andy. Especially looking out the window right now (even though I wussed out on riding in today).
So much for mountain biking this weekend.

As long as it's warm enough, my rain gear is the same as my sun gear. Skin is waterproof, and I'd rather be wet from rain than a sweaty rainjacket!

Riding in the rain takes 40 years off my state-of-mind.

+1

Yesterday was in the mid-70s here. Showers rolled in for the ride home. That nice cool rain sure felt wonderful!

I usually don't mind the rain, but it depends on the type. Heavy rain with strong wind is not much fun, but light rain and no wind can be a blast.

Andy_K, yeah I know how those Oregon springs can drag on. Some years, the sun comes out in May and sticks around until October. Other years, it's cold and cloudy/rainy well into July. In the 15 years that I lived there, I remember the summer of 1993 was the worst. It was cool and cloudy every day until mid-August. I thought summer would never arrive, but it eventually did... just before autumn! All in all, though, I think Oregon summers are great. 2-3 months of mostly sunny summer days can really make up for the rest of the year.

Riding in the rain is pretty much just like riding any other day. We aren't made of sugar after all.

Last summer I left the office for a 25 mile ride at lunch. When I got to the far corner of my route it started raining. I had no rain gear, only wearing a long sleeved riding jersey as it was cool when I left. I completed the ride in the rain, no problem, no discomfort and no skidding. I did put my blinkie on for safety's sake, which when I arrived prompted this comment from one of my young friends. "You look like a volunteer fireman".

As I went to change back into dry clothes, a co-worker muttered, "anyone could see it was going to rain". I told him he was correct. I don't think he got it.

I don't even use any water resistent rain gear, I just get wet and change after my ride. When it's cold I just wear fleece and wool and it keeps me warm even when wet... as long as I keep moving I can maintain warmth. When it's warm I don't mind getting soaked , it feels good on a hot days.

It makes me feel younger too, especially at night with the Magicshine lighting up the spray from the front tire. Cleaning and relubeing the chain afterwards isn't anywhere near as much fun.

I'm with you wolfchild. I've got some gear I don't use. It's not like I'm going touring. I do my small stuff grocery shoping,and other stuff all within about 11 miles. I did invest in some good fenders. I hated the look of them,and took them off and put them back on about 4 times. I finally decided to leave them on. It's much nicer. I don't mind the rais anymore,and it's a good thing because this is the wettest year I can remember. When I get back from a ride I just wipe my bike off,and hang dry my shorts and hoodie. It's just H20. We are actually waterproof.

I've grown to enjoy riding in the rain. At least when it isn't cold and the rain feels like sharp ice needles. I rode in the rain twice so far this week but it's so warm outside the only discomfort I had was having to ride without my sunglasses on (and that's no big deal).

If it was a bit chillier I would've craved my merino wool tshirt beneath my jersey. But dressed in space age, quick drying fabrics I find that my riding clothes don't feel heavy or clinging or dragging as if I was wearing jeans and a cotton tshirt.

In the summer I don't bother with a rain jacket or rain pants. Only when it's cold out. I'd rather bring a dry tshirt and a camp towel in my bag so I don't look like I drowned part way to my destination.

Sandals! I'm now only wearing sandals on all my rides and that helps on a rainy ride since my feet dry very fast.

On a dark and rainy morning...

Motorist: "Don't you hate riding your bike in the rain?"

Me: "It's rain, not acid."

Why do people hate rain? I'll admit that it sucks when the weather is cold but it is refreshing on a hot day. I guess people are afraid of their hair getting messed up (my head is shaved) or their clothes getting damp (I shower and change clothes once I get to work).

Like so many other outdoor activities, the key to enjoying yourself is to learn to ignore petty discomforts.

Not sure about Europeans but Americans sure have become soft and whiny.

I don't hate the rain, but as someone who wears glasses, it can be difficult to see clearly through rain spattered lenses.

Another vote for sandals. Much better than clammy feet.

I got caught in something approaching tropical rainstorm on the ride home this week. And I am proud to announce that those strange semi-transparent Sugoi rain jackets actually work. From the waist down I was drenched, sheets of water were running down my waterlogged hair and dripping into my eyes and mouth. But when I got home the tshirt under the rain jacket was dry.

As a rule I avoid the rain. There have been exceptions, such as the NYC 5 Borough Bike Tour last year when it looked like rain and went from a slight drizzle to a steady rain before my daughter decided she had enough. I went to Seattle for a bike trip a few weeks ago and my first purchase was a good rain jacket. It came in very handy. I was caught in the rain 4 times over 5 days. I still have fenders from 20+ years ago that haven't been used since then that could go on my commuter. So I'm all set to ride in the rain, except see comment #1 above.

Up here in northern ,Ca. if you don't ride in the rain you don't ride :-)>

I love riding in the rain! Don't know why, just love it!

I have to ride in the rain a LOT during the summer in Florida, as it rains every afternoon. I have fenders on all my bikes. I have a good rainjacket, Rainlegs(AWESOME product), a helmet cover, and waterproof booties. I hate riding in the rain. Well, not the riding as much as the dirty bike I'm stuck with afterwards. Doing an hour commute then having to spend an hour cleaning my bike after work sucks.