Rain Thread
 

I'm 67 but still work 60 hours a week so when I got Friday off before Memorial Day I looked forward to 4 consecutive days off. The problem is there is rain in the forecast for all of those days here in New Hampshire. I ride 40 miles a day on the same route that has every kind of terrain you could ask for except dirt roads. I usually take rainy days off but what are you going to do if it rains every day? I embarked today under cloudy skies and hoped for the best. I got nine miles in before the cold soaking rain appeared. The temperature was 57 degrees and I was glad I wore my bright lime green jacket, tights, ski socks and over boots. I thought I would be too warm but my attire was just right. I was surprised at how well the over boots kept my feet warm and dry for about 28 miles before the water soaked from my tights into the socks and then to my feet. I know the course well and there are some killer potholes or craters would be a better word. The holes cannot be seen in heavy rain because they fill with water and just look like puddles. I know right where they are and went around them. I don't like riding in the rain but I have lost fifteen pounds since March and I want to keep burning off fat. I have lights on my helmet and my frame that make me visible to motorists. Do you ride in the rain?

Not a lot of choice in the PacNW. Fenders really help.

Ever think to invest in a trainer or spin bike? Boring but at least it will keep your legs moving.

I rode it all winter. I prefer the rain.

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

How now brown cow?

I'll ride in the rain as long as there is no lightning or heavy downpours. I chase storms as a hobby, I know what lightning can do lol. But being a storm chaser is a plus... I forecast when the rain will hit so that I plan my ride perfectly... It usually rains on me a few miles before home but hey, the weatherman is allowed to be wrong :D

I'll ride unless there's lighting in the forecast. I set up my cross bike with full fenders, lights and wider tougher tires. I spent the money and purchased good rain wear, shoe covers and jacket. Best thing I found is a good merino wool base layer. Keeps temperature consistent and clamminess of the rain wear at bay.

It's rare that I'll embark in the rain. That's just.... nuts. But I've embarked many times knowing I might well get rained on. Fenders are key for me; I can't stand getting wet from my tires. Also, a windproof jacket. That's more important than waterproof for me.

My rain bike next winter will have fenders and 28's. There's a lot of tree debris and gravel (if it's snowed yet that winter) on the road and I think the step up from 25's, which I used this winter, be be safer and more stable in that stuff.

All the time; just got caught on my way home tonight from work.
It's the same with riding in the cold or heat; do it often enough
and you just get used to it. Also after awhile; you figure out what
works for you - gloves, fenders, lights, jacket, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hheU...IoDLA&index=52

Thank God I don't have to ride there.

I've ridden in other cities(southern California, Rockbridge co. Virginia, etc.) and
I understand how you feel. But just like biking in the rain; I just got used to
cycling in heavy traffic. I don't think the NYC area is any different than other big
cities like Boston or Philly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jf...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Don't mind the rain too much, really depends on temp. I love to run in the rain, so if the weather is crappy for a few days, I will get some good runs in.

Sunday is looking dry for at least some of the day... at least i sure hope so.. i'll be up on Franconia ridge hiking.

Just try not to go riding in this... :p

Luckily I had the whole day off today, so just waited for the rain to stop. And glory be it did stop, had a very nice afternoon ride!

2nd rainy commute in the past 4 weeks this morning which is pretty good for the pacific NW. 14C (57F) which felt warm with bibs a jersey and a flappy rain jacket. No way to stay dry on days like this morning but clothes were mostly dry by the end of the day in time for a warm sunny ride home.

I actually delayed my departure in the morning for an hour hoping the rain would stop but it just got heavier. Once I'm out in the rain it doesn't bother me. I was warm and had a nice tailwind.

It's been a nice winter here for riding, but the rainy season is coming here in Florida, so I'll be buying a trainer this year.
These items are worn by the pros:

Castelli | An Unfair Advantage - Products

I came from PDX, so I know rain, and it really does suck.
I've also promised myself to start cross-training at the gym on rain days, but I so miss the bike...

S

The humidity and lack of hills would drive me nuts in FLA vs. PDX.

Be truthful, riding in the rain sucks. Between tire spray from the bike, and passing cars, and slick roads I just can't enjoy it. Maybe I just need to HTFU. Getting rained on 30% of the time when the weather(person) just said 10% chance of a passing shower.:cry:
I will not start a ride in the rain, but I bring my jacket if there is a threat.
Pirk

In this area in the springtime there is a constant steady wind averaging 13mph blowing from west to east. My regular 40 mile course takes me directly into that wind for 12 miles. But yesterday when it rained there was no wind anywhere and I told myself to count that blessing while I was spitting out road grit. My trip goes by a golf course and I noticed the parking lot and clubhouse were full. I'm sure they were all imbibing to the legal limit. Toward the end of the golf course I saw one group of chaps trying to golf in the rain and thought they are crazier than I am. I think the main reason I don't like rain rides is that it craps up my bike. I gave an old Cannondale to my son a few years ago that he never rides and I think I'm going to ask for it back so I can make it into a beater bike for rainy days.

I use an old Shogun Selctra as my "rain bike"
I forgot about the cleaning and relube suck part of riding in the rain
Pirk

Agreed. If I didn't ride in the rain, I'd only ride 3 months out of the year. I'll take rain over my trainer 90% of the time. Good rain gear and full fenders are a must though.

It would be a very difficult choice between hiking on Franconia Ridge and riding. One of my favorite stretches is riding from the notch to Twin Mountain on Rte. 3; slight downhill, big chainring the whole way. But the view from Lafayette is pretty nice too! http://eastmanwoodworking.com/panos/lafayette.html

I rode all winter, approximately four days per week, and got caught in the rain maybe three or four times at most. So yeah, I ride in the rain.

Don't like riding in the rain, but really hate bike maintenance required afterwards: cleaning, relubing, etc. can really add time.

I ride in the rain all winter. It's fine. Go to a dive shop and buy a pair of dry suit leg seals. Put them on your bare legs, then your socks, then your shoes, then your booties. Pull the dry seal down over the top of your booties, zip your leg warmers or tights down over the top of the leg seals. Dry feet forever. You may have to trim the legs seals slightly to size them to your feet and ankles.

Spring in New England has never been charitable to cyclists. I remember back in 1983 when I sustained a stress fracture in my foot running. I asked the orthopedic surgeon if I could ride a bicycle to stay in shape for the eight weeks he suggested I not run. He said yes as long as I did not use toe clips and pull. He also said to wear a really stiff-soled shoe so I would not ride with my toes flexed because the fracture was right behind the toe joint. I rode my Montgomery Ward bicycle for six weeks and never gained a pound. At the end of six weeks I threw the bike away because I destroyed the bottom bracket and the headset by riding the bike 40 miles a day, seven days a week. It rained hard for 21 days in April 1983 and was wet for two days in May that year. I froze my hands and feet but I stuck it out and went on to run very well that year. I started riding in March this year which was very cold as was April. May has been wet for most of the month and wearing just a shirt and shorts has been a rare event. I look forward to just a shirt and shorts today because the temp should hit the 70's with no rain.

Friday I completed 27 straight days riding but my crank came loose in mile 39 of a 40 mile ride. I've been cycling since 1983 and have never had a crank come loose. I took it back to the shop where I had the bottom bracket replaced and the guy said he doesn't sell Cannondales so he didn't have the right spacers for the crank. He didn't tell me that when I paid him. My average times have been slower this year probably because the crank has been binding. It's in a different shop now. I went and got my old 1994 Cannondale R800 back from my son and it's still usable but my Look Keo cleats don't fit the old Look pedals. The bike has a Mavic CXP30 wheel set on it and it's fairly light for the vintage. It has 105 shifters and they work well. I haven't ridden the bike since 2008 and want to replace the handlebar stem because I don't like the angle. It's going to be my rain bike so it doesn't matter if it's two sizes to large for me which I didn't know when I bought it in '94.


Update: My wife just came home and told me to look in a closet where I found a brand new pair of Specialized cycling shoes (never used) circa 1999 equipped with the old style Look cleats. I'm going riding!