Did my first real commute on the rain
 

My first commute in the rain was when I picked up my brand-new bike last year and rode it home. I didn't have anything, and I arrived soaked and with an ear-to-ear grin.

Today I did my first "real" commute in the rain - ran some errands downtown, and then went to another bike shop to buy a front light - I already had a pretty decent rear one, but no front light at all.

So I buy the light, and it starts POURING. It was getting close to sundown, and although I now have lights and was wearing a reflective vest, I didn't really want to wait until it was pitch dark to see if the rain subsided. So I started the ride back home.

Lessons learned:

- Fenders work. But past certain speed, I need mudflaps! I have some leather at home; may as well put it to good use.

- Now I see why you people keep going on and on about leg/shoe coverings :) Need to get some if I intend to ride in the afternoons this spring - that's when it rains here. Opinions on coverings vs. ponchos/capes/whatever?

- Lights are awesome. Pedestrians see you! Cars see you pass them, soaked and happy!

- Why did I leave the non-slip gloves at home. Brake hoods and levers get uncomfortably slippery with rain.

- I use toe straps and regular shoes - it was harder than usual to get clipped, as the pedal would slip a bit when doing the kick-it-back-to-get-clipped dance.

- Rain is nicely refreshing.

I guess I should wash the bike tomorrow...

It depends on the temperature for me. Cold rain - waterproof shoes, pants, jacket, gloves.
Summer rain - I just let my myself get soaked. I usually use clipless pedals/shoes, no slipping -
wet or dry. And yes; riding in the rain is fun. :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hheU...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

1: Fenders don't keep my feet dry. Good to know! I was mistaken about that...
2: I really need to get contacts, because being blind from rain streaked glasses sucks.

Also... my rim brakes squeal like crazy with wet weather. I like this; pedestrians really hear you coming.

I wear contacts and I still get blinded by the rain. Granted I don't have to wipe my eyes as much as I would have to wipe my glasses.

I don't mind getting wet ... but cold and wet ... NO. Which is why I haven't ridden all week.

Cold and wet is not fun which is why, despite the cost, I am considering some (from my perspective) fairly expensive waterproof overtrousers (Endura Luminite or Altura Nightvision).

Here in Colorado Springs, the dry climate means you can ride in a light drizzle and not really get wet. That is refreshing! Last week I was on my unfendered roadbike when it began to pour. I sought shelter and ten minutes later it was over. Ten minutes after that the road was bone dry, and ten minutes after that, so was I. On my fendered commuter, I recently installed a more complete front fender with a flap, after using a toy whiffle bat to extend the old fender. That worked, great! Feet still got damp, but drivetrain stayed cleaner.

I ride in the rain all the time but only if i need to go to work.. I put my work uniform in a big ziploc bag and then put that in my backpack... Zip to work getting soaked.. Put uniform on in bathroom.

That is the responsibility of the working class man!

I get rained on probably 2/3 of the year here on my commute to and from work. Actually that might be an optimistic number...

I was sorry to hear about the extreme storms the southeast US had. It was very bad for them.

We had extreme weather, too, but not as horrible. I walked three miles in the cold, heavy rain, while the wind blew hard. I was heartened to see regular bike commuters keep up their routines, just wearing clothing made for the weather. These are not bike nuts (cyclophiles?) like us here on BF. They're just people who choose to cycle to work.

I doubt anyone moves to Beaverton thinking they won't get rained on often.

Some parts of the Southeast got stormed on pretty seriously, but here in the whole Atlanta region and I think maybe also up through N and S Carolina the storms completely missed the normal commuting hours. I finally got just a little precipitation yesterday evening, and that was all there was. Most people paid heed to the forecasts though because I saw no cyclists or even joggers those days.

Some days you've just got to decide to take your chances, and maybe it's not so bad if you do get rained on.

oh, "Opinions on coverings vs. ponchos/capes/whatever?" - my opinion is don't bother, except for something for the shoes. Sad to say, plastic shopping bags around the feet are the most effective that I've found, but it looks a little low-class if that bothers you, and flaps in the wind (that's the part that bothers me).

The best rain clothes are dry clothes waiting for me at the office.

For shoes, I prefer sandals, because my feel dry more quickly that way.

You need a proper front mudflap. Needs to be wider than the tire and go down to just a couple inches off the ground.

The 3 most enjoyable rides i've ever had were in rain. One was after a midnight movie in town here and the staff kindly brought my bike inside to keep it dry.... Afterwards everyone was running to their cars or hiding under umbrellas...... not me, i strolled out to the street & got on & rode all 1.6 miles in the dumping-ly poring warm rain at 3 am. I got 110% soaked & it was amazing.

I only wear crocs (enclosed) when riding so i dont need any protection for shoes. Otherwise i check the forecast and watch the weather radar for openings. In the future i may need to invest in some rain pants or something, but up top i have a north face hy-vent rain jacket, very light & very effective. I don't mind getting wet, its just part of the whole car-free package. :)

- Andy

+1 on the dry clothes waiting.

One of us, one of us!

M.