Riding in the Rain
 

I have a very tight schedule and cycling is now my 4 day per week cardio workout. I ride mainly on the roads. We just started the rainy season here. Do you go out for an exercise ride when it is raining or do you just go to the gym when it's raining?

I'd much rather ride in rain than a gym. So long as it isn't cold and isn't raining that hard, it can be enjoyable.

That said, I will admit to having a lack of enthusiasm to just getting up to go on a regular ride when it is raining. Rides I've payed for, rides I've already agreed to with friends, out with a bike when rain pops up, out on a tour and needing to ride in rain, all fine though.

Depends on how much rain is forecast. If it's pouring and scheduled to pour, I will bag it. Low chance of scattered showers and I will probably go.


That's for road riding. When I am touring, I ride rain or shine unless there is a serious storm brewing. Back in '99, while on a cross country+ tour, I got stuck in New York state when hurricane Floyd came through. Didn't want to stay at a cabin in the campground because there was no TV or radio so I rode a few miles in the early bands of rain and wind and holed up in a motel. As is often the case of a storm like that, the next day was gorgeous.

Yes.

Actually, lately I will skip the rain rides .... used to not care, but I am old and soft now. I don't mild a sprinkle, and I don't care if I get caught in rain, but lately I have avoided rain rides.

The gym is a very different workout, but not a bad option. It isn't riding a bike though .... if you care mostly about the workout, do the gym. if you really like riding ....

Purposely going out in the rain when I don't have to? No. I do ride to work so I'll ride in the rain, snow, extreme cold, but if I didn't have to I won't. I'd rather run in the rain given the choice, or stay indoors. I've got a few options indoors--treadmill, Concept 2 rower, couch+TV.

If it has started raining before the ride then usually no. If it looks like it is going to rain, but hasn't yet then I will go. I don't mind getting caught in the rain. Sometimes I'll hope it rains during the FL summers as longs as there is no lightning.

Buy a second "rain bike" put full coverage Fredly fenders on it. (they really do work) Go ride. Riding in the rain does kick a bunch of water and fine grit onto your bike so this can save wear and tear on the main bike.

I go to the gym without a 2nd thought for the bike.

lately, I'd rather ride in a snow storm, on a trail, in the woods

used to savor the rain rides when I bike commuted. kind of had an excuse: "it's my day(s) to ride to work, so what if it's raining". colleagues were like: "you didn't ride today, did you?" it was a badge of honor, even tho they thought I was nuts

always good to have other sport routines tho, which might include: stationary bike, treadmill running, pool swimming, racquetball & weight training

If it was our typical summer rain pattern, where there's a short burst of rain/lightning and then it clears, I understand that weather and can ride in it, or plan my ride around it.

The rain pattern we've been having in South Florida is so atypical for us, and it has generated random storm cells with severe and sudden lightning strikes, as well as (last night) sudden tornado warnings, that I have stayed off the road on my bike.

My wife asked me about lightning. I said it was only an issue because my budget only afforded me an aluminum bike and that I should have gotten a carbon fiber one that does not conduct electricity. This got me no where.:deadhorse:

would she even notice if you sold the current bike & bought a different bike?

Yes, unless i made money on the transaction.

FYI...It's "lightning."

Same here...but less so now than before.

I use rollers. Set them up in front of the tv and off I go. Cheaper than a gym, and less excuses to not do it

I'll ride (my rain bike), provided it's not pouring. But I live in a semi-arid environment, so we only really get rain in the spring. Then it's just hot and dry.

Location, location, location... it rains almost daily, 9 out of 12 months of the year, here.

When I was bike commuting; I didn't mind riding in the rain. If I already committed to a charity ride; off we go.
But now I don't go out just for fun if it's raining. All the cleaning is just not worth it for me. :)

no. I've had a few falls now, don't need anymore. my road tires are almost slicks, I imagine it won't funnel water aside like car tires.

Meh. Usually not, but if the rain lets up and turns to a drizzle, and I haven't ridden in a few days, maybe. I did put fenders on my bike so I could ride on wet roads.

But I wear prescription glasses for nearsightedness, so once they get wet, the ride can get scary at speed.

Fixed it.

Like others have said, if I'm out when it starts raining, then I have no choice but to ride in it...but since I wear glasses and rain drops on the lenses makes seeing clearly extremely difficult, I'll not set out on a ride if it's already raining. On days like that, I'll hop on the trainer and spin for a bit with a movie playing on my laptop.




:)

Meh, outside knobby stuff for dirt and mud, tread on bike tires don't matter that much. Tire compound is going to stick you (or send you sliding) at a far more consequential rate than tread. It is hard to believe until you've been out in rain on slicks, but it is true.

My old Trek 1.1 now has Fredly fenders for rain riding. :thumb:


http://i.imgur.com/bfdt3Ic.jpg