Rainy 400k?

[Pedal Wench]

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?

[maillotpois]

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.

[Pedal Wench]

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.

[maillotpois]

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?

[Pedal Wench]

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.

[maillotpois]

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

[Jaclyn]

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.