Riding in rain

[pooks]

What do I need to know about riding in rain?

I think it would be fun, as long as it was only rain, not too heavy, and no lightning or severe weather within hearing distance!

Do bikes have a lot more probs on wet roads than cars?

I rode after it rained this week and one corner had a lot of mud that had then been tracked up the street by car tires. I took that very carefully -- I could imagine how slick it was!

But beyond the obvious, is there anything to be aware of about riding in the rain?

[roshelleuop]

I know ALOT of people that refuse to ride in the rain, but I truly do not mind it as long as (like you said) there is no thunder/lightning and it's not freezing cold. Just remember:

Avoid white (or yellow) lines - they get really slippery when they are wet and even when riding on them straight, you can still slip

Slow down on corners - just pretend you are turning on alot of gravel and slow down.

Pay EXTRA attention to drivers - the rain may impair their vision more than normal. I've never had a problem, but I'm also very careful.

Use lights on front and back - Even when it rains and it is sunny (I love when that happens) I always ride with my front and back light (blinking). No matter what the weather, if it's raining, I'm lit up

Be extra careful if it just started raining - as we know when driving our cars, it's alwyas slicker when it firsts rains as it is moving around oils on the road. If I am going to ride in the rain, I usually wait about an hour to let the rain wash away the oil.

roshelle from milwaukee
http://wisconsinbetties.blogspot.com/

[7rider]

Pooks,
In addition to that...look in the maintenance forum for some advice on what to do to your bike after riding in the rain.
Riding in the rain can be tough on a bike and it's drivetrain. But then, you ride a driveshaft, bike, right? I don't know what the care and feeding of those bikes would be...you might want to check your owners manual or the manufacturer's website to see if they have any FAQ's on riding in the rain.

[DebW]

Also give yourself much longer to slow down. Rim brakes will take longer to work on a wet rim. You have to hold the brake on for several seconds before the water is pushed off the rim and the brakes start to be effective.

Water is not good for the moving parts of your bike, so clean and relube the chain after each wet ride. Have your bearings repacked more frequently if you do much wet riding.

[roshelleuop]

Here is a good one.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9675

[farrellcollie]

I find riding in the rain to be a last resort because I wear glasses and I cannot see when they get wet and the only time I have been hit by a car was in rain and the driver of the car, who was going to do a rolling stop at stop sign - did not see me riding on cross street (I had stopped and it was my turn to go) and then noticed me, hit brakes, and slid into me.

[annie]

When riding in the rain, your brakes need a bit more lead time to slow you down.......... a couple revolutions of the wheel to wipe the rain off. So always be looking and planning ahead. Give yourself a little extra space to stop.
A good idea to wipe debris off tires and off your brake pads after a rainy ride. Or it can dig into the pads and really shorten their effective life span.

Besides the painted lines, any metal grates or railroad tracks will be MUCH more slippery when wet.

Just overall - a bit more caution.

If you don't have fenders on your bike, expect to get a streak up the middle of your back. Don't wear your favorite light-colored jersey.

You'll see better if your helmet has a brim that somewhat keeps your lenses out of the direct rain.

Let's see -- that's about all I can think of for now.

annie

[Eden]

If you have a rainy season (does Texas have more rain in the winter?) like we do up here in the wet north west, you may want to invest in a nice pair of fenders that you leave on for the duration. They keep you from getting the inevitable skunk stripe up your back, keep your feet and legs (and bike) cleaner and keep a lot of yuck out of the eyes and face of anyone who needs to ride behind you (especially if you add a buddy flap - a piece of plastic/tape/cardboard that hangs down beyond the fender and keeps spray from flying up)

Speaking of buddy flaps - please, please if you go on group rides in the winter be kind and use fenders with a buddy flap - otherwise banish yourself to the back of the pack without having to be asked. If you don't know what a buddy flap is ask. Your LBS may be willing to set you up with one made out of 1/2 a shop water bottle pretty cheap and I might be willing to mail some out for free if there is enough interest (I make mine out of big plastic jugs that kitty litter comes in - its the same material as milk jugs - and yes it is clean!)

Eden have you been cyclocrossing, you are awfully muddy, always stuck behind the jive turkey without the fenders on our winter training rides, doesn't like to floss grit out of her teeth which is why I pass out buddy flaps at team rides so please use them Palmer

[pooks]

I do have fenders -- and is this a buddy flap, the black rubber thing on bottom of the fender?



I would have never thought about the painted lines being slick!

Basic common sense for most of it.

I do have some of that. Somewhere. When I stop to look for it.

I'd only ride right here in the neighborhood, tootle around a little in a light rain for fun. Unless of course we got caught out in rain, in which all of this info would be even more vital.

Thanks.

Oh yeah, and since it's shaft drive, the gears and stuff are all internal, no chains, so I don't have to worry about that part.

[RoadRaven]

Well - the gals have covered all the bases... paint on roads, downhill, corners...

What do you need to know? Its wonderful... I love it... but make sure if the day is cool or the rain is cold that you have an excellent shower waiting to massage and warm you.

Enjoy it... thats what cycling is about - getting in touch with nature in all Her wonderful guises

[KSH]

I rode after it rained this week and one corner had a lot of mud that had then been tracked up the street by car tires. I took that very carefully -- I could imagine how slick it was!

My only wreck in 2 years and 3,200 miles of riding... was on a road where it had just drizzled... and there was layer of mud on the road... It was so slick.

The moment anyone hit their brakes... BAM!... down we went. Actually out of 12 people, 6 people went down.

And even though I was only going 10-14 mph, it hurt LIKE HELL. My shoulder took the brunt of the fall and 2 months later, it still hurts. I train for tri's and I had to stop swimming for a month or so to let it heal up. And, I still can't breathe on my left side (too much pain in my shoulder, but luckily I only breathe on that side when fighting waves hitting my right side).

So, for me... it's NOT WORTH it to ride when it's raining. I would rather keep my body and bike safe. Not worth the risk. Now, if I get caught in rain when riding... that is a different story... but even then I try to stop riding until it clears up.

[Eden]

I do have fenders -- and is this a buddy flap, the black rubber thing on bottom of the fender?

It looks like your fenders are pretty long so they should mostly protect anyone behind you. The little flap is sort of a buddy flap, but they really need to be longer than any of the fender manufactures put on since the fenders are made more to protect you than other folks. If it doesn't hang down past at least the axel on your wheel you'll still spray the person behind you pretty bad.

Its only really a problem if you are riding pretty tight with other folks - but I know there are other women here that ride with groups and probably ride in the winter. I got enough faces full of mud last winter that I've appointed myself the buddy flap master. Last year I made flaps and handed them out - this year I think I'll take duct tape and maybe zip ties and make people put them on...... otherwise to the back with you!

[donnambr]

You've got a nice set up for rain, Patricia. I saw these pretty leather mudflaps in a shop recently that I was mulling over. They're nice and big and came in brown or black.

What kind of brakes do you have? I've got V brakes and hear that Kool Stop salmon compound pads are fantastic for wet weather. I'm thinking of trying them out. We sure have plenty of it on the way here in Oregon.

[Bruno28]

What everyone here has said...Just watch for general slipperiness.
I got a black eye a couple of weeks ago from slipping on a lowered curb when making a too tight turn onto a cycle path after a downpour.

(But I was very bad - no helmet. That's one lesson learned )

[Selkie]

I actually enjoy riding in the rain, but my time on the road is just to take me on to the trail. Everyone has given you good advice - use lights to make sure cars can see you and remember that you lose a lot of braking power when your rims are wet. I usually feather my brakes---flick the levers a few times--before braking.