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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    16

    Riding a Metric Century in the rain?

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    I am signed up to ride the Reston Metric Century tomorrow and it looks extremely likely it is going to rain. Initial forecast were calling for 40% chance of rain later in the day, but now it looks more like 80% chance and the rain is likely to start before we even start the ride. (I was hoping to start by 7am.)

    I thought I would get other people's advice on riding in the rain. I have never trained in the rain, I have never even been on my bike out in the rain, so I am definitely worried. I really want to ride tomorrow though, I have been looking forward to this for a while. I am planning on a full century next month, but this one was part of my training plan.

    Does anyone that has rode a century in the rain have any tips/suggestions? Would you do the ride regardless of the rain? Weather reports are calling for scatted Thunderstorms too.

    I also don't have any rain gear. Do I need to worry about the rain and how it might affect my bike?

    Thanks for any replies....

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    Bring plenty of spare chamois lube.

    If you have a Garmin cadence sensor, take it off.

    You may want to cover your computer with a plastic bag and rubber band.

    Remember that braking and traction are reduced, just as they are in any wheeled vehicle. Remember that the roads are slickest when it first starts to rain, since the oil will float to the top of the rainwater.

    I'm assuming temperature won't be an issue (if it is, one word: wool). Riding in a warm rain is actually very pleasant. It's only cleaning your bike up afterward that s*cks.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Newport, RI
    Posts
    3,821
    Some painted lines on the road can be slippery, as well as anything metal like sewer caps, so try to avoid them. Wear a cycling cap under, or visor on your helmet to keep your glasses dry (if you wear them) and bring something to wipe them with. The worst part of riding in the rain for me is when I can't see, and the bike cleaning, of course. Otherwise, riding in the rain is really fun. Oh, and bring extra socks in a zip-lock bag! If it's raining hard, your shoes can fill up with water, and that's pretty unpleasant. Afterward, stuff your shoes with newspaper to help them dry faster and keep their shape.
    '02 Eddy Merckx Fuga, Selle An Atomica
    '85 Eddy Merckx Professional, Selle An Atomica

    '10 Soma Double Cross DC, Selle An Atomica

    Slacker on wheels.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Central Indiana
    Posts
    6,034
    +1 on metal things being slippery when wet. I went down hard once on some RR tracks in the rain.
    Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.

    --Mary Anne Radmacher

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    10,889
    I found today that when I stopped the bike my sunglasses immediately fogged. They cleared as soon as I started up again, but it was something of a surprise. The visor on my helmet was very helpful though.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Olney, MD
    Posts
    3,063
    I did a metric in the rain in June. You've gotten some good advice about avoiding the painted lines and metal covers. Try not to take your turns and stops too fast. Also, add some lights, front and back. Oh, and watch out for the other guy.
    I'd rather be swimming...biking...running...and eating cheesecake...
    --===--

    2008 Cervelo P2C Tri bike
    2011 Trek Madone 5.5/Cobb V-Flow Max
    2007 Jamis Coda/Terry Liberator
    2011 Trek Mamba 29er

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    northern Virginia
    Posts
    5,897
    Looks like I'll be riding the livestrong ride in the rain tomorrow. I'm not thrilled about it, but it won't be as bad as the time I did the Sea Gull century in a nor'Easter. Will have to be careful on the descents, though.

    - Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
    - Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
    - Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle

    Gone but not forgotten:
    - Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
    - Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    16
    Thanks for the tips everyone. The rain actually held off and it ended up being a great ride. It drizzled a few times but nothing too bad. I did notice my glasses getting fogged up at stops too the few times it was drizzling.

    It was my first metric century and I completed it feeling great. (I am so glad it didn't pour rain too. I can't wait for my first century ride now! It ended up being 66 miles.

 

 

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