Riding in the rain?
 

I just got my bike Friday but I am CRAVING it. Bad thing is, is its supposed to rain all week. Is it okay for my bicycle to get wet? I know that's probably a stupid question but I've paid a lot for it and don't want to damage it. I also want to ride it. Grrr.

It is perfectly okay for it to get wet. If you are concerned you should just wipe it down after the ride. The only thing about rain is you might end up with a wet stripe up your back if you don't have fenders. Do it anyway. Ride your bike!

I ride no matter how hard it is raining. When I get to where I am going I always wipe the bike down. Then clean / lube it that night.

just be careful, with rain comes poor visibility for motorists. plus sometimes the rain can make some drivers insane and they start driving faster and wilder

Unless your bicycle is made of sugar or salt, it should be okay to ride it in the rain. Wiping it down after is a good idea. Fenders and proper rain gear make the trip enjoyable. Lights are good.

I ride mine in the rain, snow, and sometimes even when it is sunny and warm:)

Riding in inclement weather is a special kind of trip. One night I had to take my wife's van to work, it was raining, as I was watching the rain go across the road in sheets, the thought went through my mind; "Wow, I bet this would be fun to ride in."

This.

Also, if you have ceramic bearings in your hubs they should be taken apart (the hubs) clean and oil the bearings.

Pay attention to your brake pads. If grime becomes embedded in the pads rubber, it can score your aluminum rims.

Other than that, have fun and enjoy the wetness.

Aside from getting a bit dirty;
you and your bike should be fine.
So go outside and ride. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hheUc-zlfiM

Thanks for replies. Still haven't rode in the rain yet but now I am going to if I feel like riding.

Interceptor, that video is AWESOME!!!!!!! I can't stop watching. Love the music in the background. Thanks for posting that :)

Fenders, safety glasses and a nice jacket make it pretty easy if you remember to avoid metal (slick) and remember to give yourself more time to stop. Me and many of my co-workers commute year round here in Seattle and oddly enough a clean bike is viewed with suspicion. Most of us ride steel frames and the bikes just drip dry, so just scratch that itch and ride ride ride.

Here's another one of my rides that hopefully will convince you that riding in the rain is fun. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jfc...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Riding in the rain is one of those things my non-cyclist friends don't understand and think I'm crazy, but it's so freakin fun (especially the hot shower afterwards)!

It rains (I mean liquid water) in y'all's winter? :eek:

Well, you know... It wasn't such long ago when Helsinki was lucky to get any snow in the winter. And right now it would seem the major winter of southern Finland is not going to happen. Rain rain rain for all ya southies :P

Yep, moved here precisely because you don't have wake up early to shovel rain :)