depends on the rain and the temp. light rain i don't mind; heavy is a different story. cold + rain = not cool, warm + rain = ok depending on heavyness.

Biking in the rain (without the right equipment) does suck. When I do tours I encourage people to bring proper rain gear and helmet covers. Many do not. They say they'll stay wet and then just change clothes. These are also the ones who don't pack their change of clothes in compression bags, so they are wet too.

Some of my best memories are camping in the forest listening to the raindrops and being warm and dry because I planned ahead.

This year in Germany it rained for half the tour. It didn't stop me or the Germans from completing their tours. They use specially designed bike ponchos that seem to do the trick.

If I was going to offer an additional tip, I'd say use your viscous towel as a neck wrap to prevent little drops from going down your neck

Last fall while touring in Central America I prayed for rain. Didn't get enough of it. Rain meant a break from repressive heat.

Fifteen years ago on my first tour while grinding up a 9% grade in Arizona, fighting torrential sideways rain in 40mph crosswinds, a gust blew me over sideways into the mud. I stood up and yelled at the top of my lungs, "THIS F***ING SUCKS!!!" About 20 minutes later I was coasting down the backside with a slight tailwind, no rain, amidst beautiful white puffy clouds and occasional sunshine. That last part wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable without the first part.

Take the good with the bad. The bad makes great stories later, and in the end, it's all good.

Hmm. I don't agree with the OP. I like riding, camping, and even at times hiking, in the rain. It's cooler, there's less traffic, and it gives you toughness points over other cyclists. :-)

After descending Pole Steeple, a rock formation on Piney Mountain in PA, during a hailstorm.



Fort Washington, PA, December 23, 2007.



I draw the line at riding in a thunderstorm, however. Neilfein and I were caught in one on the high point of the GAP in June 2008. We rode it out in an underpass at the high point.

mthayer,
Although I do enjoy a ride in the warm rain, I believe that it is a practice which reduces my odds of survival to ride another day. If it is raining hard, then drivers of automobiles can not see you on the road, period. No matter how many lights you have on, what colors you display, or how obstinate you may be about demanding your right of way. When on tour my practice is to ride every day until rain is surely predicted for the day and then I take a rest day. Just my choice.
Good luck with your ride.