Practice ride for commuting
 

Today I was going to do a practice ride 8 miles (one way) to my job then rest awhile and come back home, but two of my four kids were having a bad day and rain cancelled those plans. That brings me to my question of: Do you commute only if it's 30% chance of rain or less, or something to that effect?

Was bummed out since my bike was ready to go, and I was looking forward to getting out of the house today.

I commute when I want to. This tends to be on days when it's not raining, or certainly not raining hard. I ride a lot less in the winter.

A good jacket and fenders, plus a change of shoes in the office, take care of the rest for me.

I commute no matter what the weather.. wind, snow, rain, sleet, hail.. I've ridden in it all. I have fenders and rain gear when it's cold (less than 35 - 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

My morning commute is 17 miles. I always check the radar before I leave. I figure if its not raining when I leave and I feel like I can beat the rain if there is some on the map then I'll ride. If it rains on my way home, eh whatever. Either way I'm going to be wet when I get to my destination.

+1 On the fenders. It'll keep all the road grime off of you when it is raining. And rain gear. And Lights.

Someone said to me "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing."

Your first ride in the rain will be amazing.

Good luck!

Maybe it was those decades in CA, but I have always preferred riding in the rain to riding in dry conditions. We only get 40 inches or so here where I live, so I suppose it could get old for people who live where there is a lot of the wet stuff.

the only time I dont ride is if it is going to be a complete downpour on the way in to work. too much worry about dry gear and that all day. No worry about that if the downpour is after work. I have been able to wait out the heavy stuff (usually 15-30 minutes) or just say screw it and hop on and ride home.

Whether or not you ride in the rain depends on whether you're prepared, and how hard it's raining. Out here in southern LA (Cajun country, not Cali) it doesn't rain often, but when it does it pours, and visibility is near zilch. If you're carrying anything, it needs to be in something waterproof, like putting your clothes in large gallon zip-locks. It also depends on whether using your car is an option... I know I'd be tempted to take the car if it were pouring outside, so you need to decide beforehand if that's something you can live with. For me, it wouldn't be bad, because it only rains on my commute maybe once a month.

I'm working on rain-worthying my bike so it won't ruin my day if I get caught. You know what the Boy Scouts say: "Be Prepared."

Rain has not stopped me from biking yet. My alternative transport being a motorcycle also helps :)

I generally won't leave for a ride if it's raining, but I have been caught in rain many times. Fenders help a lot, particularly if you are just riding on wet roads after a rain. I don't give a huge amount of weight to rain forecasts if the odds are 50% or less. If it's clear in the morning, I will usually bike commute. However, sometimes I will drive when it's clear in the morning if the forecasters are predicting severe thunderstorms and it seems pretty certain. More often than not, the forecasters are wrong, but I don't like riding in thunderstorms.

I drove today partly for that reason, but also because I was just tired. We've been having violent thunderstorms around here lately, and I got caught in one while kayaking over the weekend. I also rode 60 miles on Sunday in high heat and humidity, and just felt like I needed a break this morning.

when riding in rain, be sure to have fresh socks and underwear on a bag or workplace....thats my policy... commuting is the best excuse to ride! when you have a newborn the weekends are for cleaning and spouse quality time. I was used to hang out and have a few brewes with friends, but now i get the eye brow treatment when i come back home at 2 in the morning from a cycling hang out! I still do it from time to time :*shy*:

My morning ride is usually in the dark. I avoid riding in dark and rain at the same time, so I'll drive in if it's raining and dark in the morning. No problem riding in rain during daylight, so it's not raining at departure time in the morning, I'll likely ride.

I have been car free for the last 3 years, so I either ride my bike or my motorcycle every day. Rain, snow (thankfully not often), hail, hurricane, whatever!

As long as you understand that you might or will get wet, it's mostly mental.

I don't commute in the mornings if it is raining, but if there is a chance in the afternoon, I will go for it.

There's just so many variables to that question. I will ride if there's a 30% chance of rain, but it's not raining in the morning (if I get wet coming home I can just change clothes when I get home).

I also usually attempt to wear something synthetic that will keep me warm even if it's wet.

On a related note, it also depends on temperature - if it's hot out and it rains it's actually pretty fun. :D Right around 60 degrees is about the worst...I'm more likely not to ride if it might rain then because it's cold enough to be uncomfortable if I get soaked, but not cold enough to comfortably wear my rain gear. When it's like 40 degrees I'll ride because my cold weather rain gear *is* waterproof-breathable stuff (and I spent the cash on enough gear to cover me head-to-toe). If I put more effort into specific clothing I might be able to ride around the 60 degree mark as well with wool or synthetics, at the moment it's just to much hassle.

I would add that one thing people do if their commute is longer than they're in shape for is to find a place part-way there to park their car, then drive their bike partway there, hop on the bike and bike the rest of the way. After a while they're in good enough shape to just bike the whole route. The advantage is that they don't have to find spare time to get into shape to do the route.

I commute by bike when I want too and that means all the time, rain, snow, no matter :) I change clothes at work anyway.

Like others I commute no matter what, the elements keep it interesting.

But as a practice run or even 'at first', I'd wait for good weather. Get the basics down first before adding more stuff to deal with.

I keep a complete set of clean clothes in a drawer in my office. Also, I choose a bike with fenders if it's raining or I think it's going to rain. I pack anything that needs to stay dry in a plastic bag inside a pannier, to make sure it will stay dry. If it's night, I have a light. If it's cold, I have a military surplus balaclava and wool skiing tights, wool socks, and lots of layers. The only thing that stops me is significant snow or ice (which doesn't happen much), and I may get studded tires for this winter.

Mike

im not blessed with other means of transport. so its riding rain or shine for me. you get used to the cold UK drizzle after a while.

however im not looking forward to the winter lol.

Same here. If it looks like it might rain during the day, I throw a plastic bag over my saddle.

sometimes you gotta go when you wanna go. people will look at you sideways but they don't understand the preparation we do and the scheduling issues that bring about sometimes very few and precious opportunities.

Actually, last Winter was kind of fun. I'm not into Winter sports and I generally dislike Winter, kind of go into hibernation mode but last Winter I had fun. I got decent clothing, Magic Shine light, spiked tires, goggles and I was actually looking forward to snowy days. Although, I have to admit we get like maybe 15-30 days of snow in NYC at most, the rest is just wind and cold.

:-) yeah, last winter was fun!

My alternatives for commuting are:

1 road bike with fenders
2 road bikes without fenders
1 mtn bike with no fenders, no suspension.

I get wet, or I get really wet. Fortunately, if I take the shortest possible route, I'm to work in just about 12-15 minutes. Faster if I make all the lights.

... getting my own place 3.7 miles from work ... :( happy to have my own place ... not so happy to be close to work. it won't be worth the bother to take my bike unless someone can convince me otherwise

It's worth it...... take the long way home.

My commute is nearly identical, and the nice thing is I can get to work without really sweating much, but can then take a nice ride on the way home (when family commitments or lack thereof allow me to).