Dear So and So

[Biciclista]

Dear Owlie
you CAN ride in the rain

yours truly
Seattle bike commuter.

[Xrayted]

^^^ What she sed...Portland, OR rider. ^^^

[Pax]

To the Portland and Seattle mossbacks above... riding in the rain is un-fun, those of us who live where it doesn't rain 350+ days a year usually wait until it stops to ride.

[OakLeaf]

Riding in a warm rain is actually very pleasant. What isn't, is spending two hours cleaning the grit out of every part of a bike. So I don't do it unless it's an organized century. TOSRV's coming!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

To the Portland and Seattle mossbacks above... riding in the rain is un-fun, those of us who live where it doesn't rain 350+ days a year usually wait until it stops to ride.

LOL, so true!
Of course, if we had to ride to work every day with no choice, that's different.
The (almost) scariest ride i ever took was 10 miles from home in the rain and my brakes were barely working- a horrible feeling!

Mossbacks...

[Crankin]

That, and the fact that no matter what I do, my clear glasses (and all the other lenses) fog up.
I had to ride many miles in the rain, 50 degrees, in the Czech Republic. It sucked. And I didn't even have to clean the bike; Trek Travel did.
I have had a couple of warm rides where it sprinkled/lightly rained, which was OK, but I dread how the rain will affect my braking.
I avoid it.

[redrhodie]

I love riding in the rain. I just discovered that I get excellent results wiping my glasses with the tip of my full finger gloves. I used to carry a paper towel in my back pocket, before discovering this works so well. These are what I wear when it rains. http://wheelworld.com/product/specia...es-61109-1.htm I also find a cycling caps really helps. I have a pretty nice collection of team ones. The other thing that keeps me happy is disc brakes.

It is hard on your bike. Without the right gear, it can be uncomfortable and more dangerous. Without the right frame of mind, it can be miserable. But, if you can think about when you were a kid, and how every puddle was an opportunity for fun, then you'll love it. It is fun!

[Owlie]

Gentle, light rain is fun (or it would be once I get some wet/dry tires--my current ones don't handle wet pavement well at all), cleaning the bike later aside. What we've been getting is torrential downpours. Cold torrential downpours. Less fun.