Rain??? Ugh!

[AZchick]

Thanks everyone... NY: I wish I could get some fenders... but I don't think I have time with just 5 days. I can call around and check. Since there are 80 riders, I'm sure there will be lots of bikes with no fenders and lots of splashing. Owlie, thanks for the tip about the shell with pit zips. It's going to be in the 40's or 50's... double whammy. yuck. I was more worried about my bike than myself I think. But I would like to be as comfortable as possible. I appreciate all the advice!

[azfiddle]

I'm another Arizonan who thinks I might melt if I ride in the rain. I would not last for long in the Pacific NW, I'm sure.

I looked at the long-term forecast for El Tour de Tucson and though it's 10 days away and probably not an accurate forecast, looks like there is a chance of rain for that.... so I've got the same thing on my mind!

I've seen fenders at Performance Bike in Tucson recently, so maybe you can find some in Phoenix.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[AZchick]

I'll check out Performance in Chandler... thanks azfiddle. I'm doing the metric century in Florence for CF. Good luck on the Tour!!!

[tangentgirl]

Riding in the rain is fine, you just have to be careful and know a few things. Can you swim?

the rain won't hurt your bike.

This is only partially true. Your bike will be just fine in the rain, unless it is made of carbon. Carbon is a type of fabric, and what happens when fabric gets wet? It gets really, really heavy. This is a scientific fact, and you could end up with an 80 lb. bicycle at the end of the day. Otherwise, though, you should be fine.

Oh, unless your bike is made of steel. Everyone knows that steel rusts, and bicycle steel rusts extra fast. If you are riding a bike made out of steel, it might rust right out from under you, and you would look quite silly sitting in the middle of the street on just a saddle. I have heard that aluminum and titanium bicycles have similar problems, but that could just be an urban legend.

So, the rain won't hurt your bike, unless, of course, it is made of carbon, steel, aluminum or titanium.

I'm another Arizonan who thinks I might melt if I ride in the rain.

I saw this and thought it was just a metaphor. However, I did a little research and found out that if you live in Arizona or Southern California (like me), there is some danger of actual melting. Well, just a little, and only if the rain gets on your skin.

It's called rainburn, and if the drops of horrible liquid falling from the sky (ugh) come in contact with bare skin, they will first create a rash. After time, if enough rain falls on you, the affected area will gain a liquidlike consistency. At that point, you will need to treat the skin immediately with a blowdryer for at least 45 minutes. If you neglect this, you may find yourself actually melting away.

Luckily, you can prevent rainburn with a healthy application of plastic-wrap and miracle whip (not mayonaise!). You can also try riding with an umbrella, which has the double benefit of making you extra aerodynamic. This is also a scientific fact.

Probably the biggest problem I have is when the rain gets in my eyes.

This may not be as bad as you think. Last time rain got in my eyes while I was riding, I had X-ray vision for three hours. I was riding at this Phish concert, and it started raining. I kinda felt sick for a little bit, but then I threw up the mushrooms and bam! X-ray vision. I could see through everything, it was epic. I also could feel lots and lots of love for everyone, and I didn't even mind when Honeybear tattooed a Phish fish riding a bicycle on my...well, never mind that. I haven't been able to duplicate this rain-induced transparency, but next time it rains, I will be sure to grab my bamboo bike and saran wrap and head out and see if I can make it happen again.


***
Written because I, too, live in a low rain climate and am rather sketchy about that horrible liquid falling from the sky.

[AZchick]

Thanks for the chuckle

[Desert Tortoise]

Oh I know what you mean about riding in the rain. So Arizonan here.

For riding in the rain or soon after with all the puddles I make sure my tires are in good condition. I also have to deal with a lot of sand where I live. Worn down tires don't have as much traction and can be slippery in wet conditions.

I've heard but have not tried yet is the poor man/woman's rain glove. Or something like that. If your long finger gloves are not waterproof, than use latex gloves under your long finger gloves to help keep your fingers dry and warm in the cold rain. Heard about this in one of those, if you are in a jam....

If you do have to dry out your shoes after the ride, remember to remove any insoles before setting out to dry. It will help dry faster.

Good luck and have fun!

AZ Fiddle, good luck with ETT.

[tangentgirl]

You are welcome!

In all seriousness, watch out for people who are not used to driving in the rain. They won't even imagine that there could be bicycles on the road and they won't be looking because they are all in a tiff about the rain.

Have fun and good luck!

[AZchick]

OK.... I will just be careful, be aware of wacko drivers, try to be waterproof (without mayonaisse), take care to lube the chain and dry my shoes properly afterward... and I WILL relax and have fun.
I just might grab a pair of those thin latex gloves too...

[ny biker]

I think it helps if your tire pressure is lower than usual, to help with traction.