Rainy 400k?

Would you do it?

There's a 400k I wanted to do this weekend, but the forecast is getting worse and worse. From what I can tell, it will be raining probably during the day, and definitely at night. I have no experience riding in the rain at night. How does it effect your visibility? I have great lights, but will they be useless in a heavy rain?

My heart isn't set on this ride. However, my "A" race was two weeks ago and I got sick halfway through. So, was hoping to redeem myself by doing this 400K. But, I wonder if it's wise. Temps will be 55-67, but looks like rain the whole way.

Stay home, or break out my rain bike and go for it?

I would and I have (400k specifically). :)

Starting a ride in the rain is a bit grim, I admit (as opposed to rain starting after you're well on your way). If it were me, I would break out the rain bike, bring every bit of warm and waterproof clothing I have and go for it.

Your lights should be fine in the rain - what do you have? Remember that cars may not see you as easily, so I'd add an extra rear red light or two to your bike, and perhaps an additional small white LED or two up from - for being seen as opposed to seeing.

I have Dinotte 200L lights. I was going to use one Li-ion on the bike and helmet mount the AA 200L version. Really bright Dinotte taillight, plus a Spok taillight on my helmet, and an LED ankleband. Maybe another blinkie on the back too.

That sounds pretty good. Are you mentally prepared to start a 400k in the rain and continue on? How does riding in the rain effect your mood?

At least your temps are good. For the 300k last weekend, the forecast was 30's - 40's with rain and snow at sea level. It didn't rain or snow (whew!), but it was 30 - 40's all day. Cold and rainy can be borderline unsafe.

You've done this distance before, right?

I guess I'm not mentally prepared if I'm waffling so much! I just did 242 miles (in about 15 hours) two weeks ago, so the distance isn't the issue. I had planned to do more, so I'm just looking for an excuse to put in more miles.

Maybe you just need to see how you feel on the day of the ride. :)

We have a 100% chance of precipitation for Kentucky 300k on Saturday, so I know how you feel. It is definitely hard to start in the rain. We did the Gray Whale 200k on New Years Day out in California and it had a rainy start. I'd always rather the rain start after I'm on the route (preferably far enough away that I am not tempted to turn around and return to the start).

Your lights sound excellent. How's your wet weather clothing? And, I'm a little worried about "break out my rain bike." Is the bike set up exactly the same as your rando bike? One of my worst 200+ mile rides ever was switching to a different bike at the last moment when my partner / captain was injured and I rode a single instead of being on our tandem. How many miles have you put on it recently?

We're training for PBP, so are focused on completing the SR series early in the year. And we find we need experience learning how to deal with unpleasant days whether it is rain, wind ... often both.

I liked a comment that was made after the Gray Whale. One of the riders said it was a "character building" day and someone else corrected him to say it was a "character revealing" day. (20 registered riders didn't turn up at the start.)

Let us know what you decide (and I expect to hear a ride report if you do it). I'll be wishing we had the warmer temperatures. Our forecast is 40's-50's.

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Originally Posted by Jaclyn

How's your wet weather clothing? And, I'm a little worried about "break out my rain bike." Is the bike set up exactly the same as your rando bike?

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Ahh. Two other concerns. Great rain jacket, no rain pants. I was gonna do tights and wool socks.

And, yeah, the bike... I haven't ridden the rain bike in well over a year, if not longer, and the last time, it gave me some knee issues, but I'll set it up as closely to my other bikes as I can. I do have other bikes I can use, but they're all really nice bikes that I just hate to take out in known rain.

there's rain and there's rain. Where do you live? People do that around here, but our weather is usually mild enough and we all have the right gear!

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Originally Posted by Jaclyn

I liked a comment that was made after the Gray Whale. One of the riders said it was a "character building" day and someone else corrected him to say it was a "character revealing" day. (20 registered riders didn't turn up at the start.)

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So the people who didn't show have bad character or maybe they just are not crazy. :D

That's the kind of comment that would rub me the wrong way. Just because you're willing and driven enough to achieve a goal no matter how horrible the conditions - doesn't mean every else is or has to be!

This coming from the person who finished a Half Ironman on a day when the temperatures were hitting pretty close to 100 degrees, but who also has quit partway through a double century. Just saying - everyone has their personal limits. :)


Veronica

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

there's rain and there's rain. Where do you live? People do that around here, but our weather is usually mild enough and we all have the right gear!

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It's the Augusta 400K, that loops up towards Athens, Ga. Rain is now 90% with flood warnings in the area. Lighter during hte day, heavier at night.

If the thunderstorms are predicted to start any earlier, I think that's going to be a deal breaker for me.

I think "flood warnings" are two very important words.

I did a century in a nor'easter once. Ain't never doing that again.

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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench

Ahh. Two other concerns. Great rain jacket, no rain pants. I was gonna do tights and wool socks.

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Rain shorts might be a good compromise. They'll keep your butt dry, but without being as warm as full-length pants.

I admire you for even considering doing the ride under those conditions! Best of luck, and stay safe out there!

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I think "flood warnings" are two very important words.

I did a century in a nor'easter once. Ain't never doing that again.

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Yes, the kind of rain you guys can have would seriously discourage me. Not to mention possible electric storms.

Your heart isn't in it. We can all tell.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

I think "flood warnings" are two very important words.

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+1

It's one thing to ride in a flood warning during the daytime when you have a good view of the road ahead of you and can tell whether it's half an inch underwater or half a foot. It's another thing to risk riding into floodwaters that could take your wheels out from under you in an instant.

There's no shame in not doing it.

My husband was out on his bike during the flood that hit central/southern Indiana a few years ago and has emphasized just how quickly an area can flood to the point of real danger. I remember that day pretty vividly myself and was shocked at how quickly things went from seemingly normal to disastrous. I would hate to have been in the middle of it on a bike.

Yeah flood warning and thunderstorms don't sound good.

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

Yeah flood warning and thunderstorms don't sound good.

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+1. It's the 'heavier at night' that would bother me, especially if it gets coldand you're isolated. I headed off to a wet ride late last year but could barely see cars on the freeway, which I figured meant that drivers on the country roads of the ride route wouldn't be able to see me on the bike. Home early for breakfast. :)

In a few weeks i'm doing the Petit Oppy & have the opposite concern. I dearly hope it's not 38C as there's not much shade on our route...

PW-be careful if you do end up doing the 400k!

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

Yes, the kind of rain you guys can have would seriously discourage me. Not to mention possible electric storms.

Your heart isn't in it. We can all tell.

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Not sure how you know, but I am actually torn. Trust me, if my heart wasn't in it, I would totally be staying home. The final rub is that I need to stay in a hotel tomorrow night, so I have to decide first thing in the morning to save a cancellation fee. I'll let y'all know what I decide.

If you're not excited about doing it, Don't. This is a huge physical commitment in normal conditions. Add the dangerous conditions and you get a formula for disaster. I wish you peace whatever you decide.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Bloom

If you're not excited about doing it, Don't. This is a huge physical commitment in normal conditions. Add the dangerous conditions and you get a formula for disaster. I wish you peace whatever you decide.

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I'm at peace. It actually wasn't going to be a physical challenge - I just did the same distance two weeks ago, and was actually training to do much more than that. But, in the end, I'm home, on my sofa, going to sleep late, do a few Sufferfests, and clean the closet. The latest forecast was for up to 2" of rain, wind gusts up to 20 mph, 100% chance of rain, hitting just as it's gonna get dark. Just not worth it for me, at this time. I wasn't going for a series, and the season is just starting, so I'm out. Thanks everyone for the input and advice. I knew I could count on y'all to give me both sides of the story!

...and all is right with the world:cool: with one less dirty closet:D