help me stop obsessing about the forecast for El Tour de Tucson Saturday

[tulip]

Take it 10 miles at a time. Thunderstorms can be dangerous, though, so use common sense.

[ny biker]

+1 about the thunderstorms. No one will expect you to risk your life in order to finish the ride.

If you can get fenders for your bike, I recommend them. I have SKS Raceblades which are easy to put on my road bike when I need them. They will help keep you dry.

Put a bit less air in your tires than usual for better grip in wet conditions. Be careful when riding over metal (like manhole covers) or painted lines on the road. Also be careful if there are any wet leaves on the ground.

The jacket (which looks very nice, btw) is rated "warmer" by TE. My Showers Pass jacket has the same rating. I recently wore it for a rainy ride with temps in the low 60s. I wore a thin long sleeved wool base layer and a sleeveless jersey, and I was too warm. I've also worn it on a totally overcast day with temps in the high 40s and was too warm with the same wool base layer and a long sleeved jersey. So for temps in the 50s I would recommend one layer under your jacket. I'd probably go with a short sleeved jersey and arm warmers.

Sunglasses with clear or yellow lenses will help keep the rain out of your eyes. So will a helmet visor or cycling cap with a brim.

Good luck!!

[ny biker]

Oak's selfie comment reminded me -- put anything electronic (cell phone, car key fob) in zip top bags. Also bag anything else you'll want to keep dry in your bike bag. I also like to bring an extra bag with me just in case, and I usually put one or two pieces of paper towel in one of them. (My smart phone got wet on a very rainy Livestrong ride several years ago, and I was glad that someone at the rest stop was able to give me a dry paper towel to dry it off with.)

[Susan Otcenas]

I find that when the weather is poor, my extremities are what feel it most. I like warm gloves and booties on a day like you are describing.

That said, while rain and mid 50's probably sounds cold to someone living in Arizona, it really isn't all that cold. I suspect you will find you are warmer than you expect to be AS LONG AS YOU KEEP MOVING. It's the stopping (and subsequent re-starting) that will probably chill you most. In wet weather, I find it best to take much shorter breaks, and to keep my body temperature up.

Also, most people eat and drink less when it's wet, because they don't feel as thirsty and because managing food with gloves is a bit more challenging. Try to avoid letting this happen to you. Make sure to eat and drink on the same schedule. If you get behind, it will affect your body temperature for the worse. If you start to feel cold, try to eat something. It will help.

Hope this helps!

Susan

[azfiddle]

Thank you all! And Susan, thanks to whoever I spoke to on the phone when I ordered the jacket :-) It fits perfectly and looks like just what I need.

The weather report keeps changing...less chance of thunder but not any more dry (starting at 80% and dropping to 65% chance of rain.

Don't think I'll be able to find the fenders in time.

But the encouragement is appreciated. We just don't often ride in the rain here because there are so many dry days. But if you're a reader of Bicycling Magazine- their recent article on riding in the rain featured photos from Tucson. Go figure!

Thanks again

[Xrayted]

Yup, wear a decent rain jacket like a showers pass. Open the pit zips so you don't sweat too much and be swamping yourself inside the jacket. And I suggest wool socks with a spare pair in a ziplock bag. One of the things I always liked was changing into dry socks at some point on long rides. It just perks you up.

[Dogmama]

I know it's late but I'd get some really thick tubes put in my tires. You'll be going through puddles and picking up lots of nasty stuff on the road. You're a seasoned cyclist, so you know how wet weather + sharp stuff tends to adhere to tires.

Stay away from crowds. Some cyclists really don't know how to handle bikes in the wet & don't realize things like how their brakes don't work as efficiently. Stay off of the white stripe on the road because it gets very slick.

Remember how many times the weather forecast in Tucson is completely wrong. Right now it's supposed to be raining and it isn't.

Good luck! You're a smart and experienced cyclist & you'll be fine!