Riding in the rain - ASAP
Discussion
Forgive the possibly numpty questions but.....
I have owned my bike for 10 weeks now. Have been trying to get out as often as possible and ramping up the miles and trips.
HOWEVER, I have not ridden in any rain at all so far. As I am riding 215 miles in Ireland in 12 days time, I expect to ride in the rain or heavy showers at best.
Planning on heading out tomorrow for 30 miles in the rain but any tips or ideas to make it easy?
Glasses or no?
Have a very lightweight jacket that seems pretty water resistant - Endura Helium from memory
DOnt care about gloves as they will just get wet?
Shorts - just get wet and dry off later?
SOme sort of peaked cap under helmet?
I get hot so over trousers and heavy water proof tops are a non starter!
Over shoes? Again light weight ones for me but worth it?
As above, any pointers or ideas massively appreciated....
I have owned my bike for 10 weeks now. Have been trying to get out as often as possible and ramping up the miles and trips.
HOWEVER, I have not ridden in any rain at all so far. As I am riding 215 miles in Ireland in 12 days time, I expect to ride in the rain or heavy showers at best.
Planning on heading out tomorrow for 30 miles in the rain but any tips or ideas to make it easy?
Glasses or no?
Have a very lightweight jacket that seems pretty water resistant - Endura Helium from memory
DOnt care about gloves as they will just get wet?
Shorts - just get wet and dry off later?
SOme sort of peaked cap under helmet?
I get hot so over trousers and heavy water proof tops are a non starter!
Over shoes? Again light weight ones for me but worth it?
As above, any pointers or ideas massively appreciated....
Avoid turning on painted lines on the road and also drain covers etc. Keep bike upright over these.
Stopping distance will be extended, brakes will not be as effective and it's easy to lock the back wheel, avoid braking in corners.
Visibility will be poor for other road users so you need lights.
Stopping distance will be extended, brakes will not be as effective and it's easy to lock the back wheel, avoid braking in corners.
Visibility will be poor for other road users so you need lights.
Mud guards for sure
I have a 'real' road bike that wont accept 'real' mud guards
However clips on arent a bad compromise
I use the Crud Racers in winter and leave them on all the time
They take a few minutes to set up and arent suitable for whipping on and off
In summer I have some SKS race blades which can be popped on in a minute
Their coverage isnt great but is better than nothing in the rain
I wear glasses and a gilet to keep the rain off me
If its warm you dont need to be totally waterproof
Cheers
You will get wet. Don't expend too much effort trying to stop it. Just make sure you don't get cold as that's the killer (not too much of an issue this time of year). Shorts are good, as you say trousers take ages to dry.
Just accept you'll get wet, and make sure there's a change of clothes waiting for you at the end
Just accept you'll get wet, and make sure there's a change of clothes waiting for you at the end
deckster said:
You will get wet. Don't expend too much effort trying to stop it. Just make sure you don't get cold as that's the killer (not too much of an issue this time of year). Shorts are good, as you say trousers take ages to dry.
Just accept you'll get wet, and make sure there's a change of clothes waiting for you at the end
Exactly what he said - just accept you're going to get wet and then it's okJust accept you'll get wet, and make sure there's a change of clothes waiting for you at the end
I live in Ireland, FWIW, and am someone who hates being too hot.
Most importantly, if your shorts are going to get wet on a long ride, use lots of chamois cream. Wet chafing on a long wet ride is miserable.
My approaches...
1. Showers, hot (>20C). Normal dry gear, plus maybe a gilet and arm warmers if doing lots of descending.
2. Showers, warm (10-20C).
Shorts, SS jersey, gilet, cover socks, arm warmers, maybe knee warmers.
3. Showers, cold (<10C).
Shorts & knee warmers or thermal tights, base layer+winter training jacket or ss jersey+gilet+base layers+arm warmers, cover socks/light overshoes/heavy overshoes depending on temps and rainfall.
4. Incessant heavy rain.
Fully waterproof Goretex shell, heavy overshoes, maybe waterproof socks or clingfilm under overshoes.
Gloves-wise, mitts if >13C, light full finger for around 8-13C, winter gloves for anything approaching 5C.
I do own several packable long sleeve shells, but after moving to gilet and warmers they don't get any use. If it's cold and nasty I just use my winter jacket.
Mudguards are handy. I do own some but can't be bothered refitting them, even on the bikes that will take them, but if I was doing long audaxy stuff I would.
Most importantly, if your shorts are going to get wet on a long ride, use lots of chamois cream. Wet chafing on a long wet ride is miserable.
My approaches...
1. Showers, hot (>20C). Normal dry gear, plus maybe a gilet and arm warmers if doing lots of descending.
2. Showers, warm (10-20C).
Shorts, SS jersey, gilet, cover socks, arm warmers, maybe knee warmers.
3. Showers, cold (<10C).
Shorts & knee warmers or thermal tights, base layer+winter training jacket or ss jersey+gilet+base layers+arm warmers, cover socks/light overshoes/heavy overshoes depending on temps and rainfall.
4. Incessant heavy rain.
Fully waterproof Goretex shell, heavy overshoes, maybe waterproof socks or clingfilm under overshoes.
Gloves-wise, mitts if >13C, light full finger for around 8-13C, winter gloves for anything approaching 5C.
I do own several packable long sleeve shells, but after moving to gilet and warmers they don't get any use. If it's cold and nasty I just use my winter jacket.
Mudguards are handy. I do own some but can't be bothered refitting them, even on the bikes that will take them, but if I was doing long audaxy stuff I would.
Thanks for all the tips and advice.
An update.... got all ready on Saturday afternoon for a long ride in showers - or so I thought... Heavens absolutely opened and full on thunder storm.
Bu66er that! Changed back into 'house pants' and put my feet up.
Forecast for SUnday morning was heavy shower intervals.
So... here we go again... Short sleev compression top, long sleeve lightweight layer, very light breathable and waterproof packable jacket. SHorts.
Decide not to bring the pack for the jacket as decide to wear it regardless due to this possibly happening on my long ride in Eire.
Guess what? Not a drop of rain. ANywhere! In fact, I take a longer extra loop as can see clouds again.
Nope! They bu66er off leaving me well over an hour from home in glorious sunshine and not a cloud in sight. I was hotter than the sun in my long sleeves and just went for it.
Ran out of fluids and decided to make a dash for hom.
Arrived and stood there with a cold drink from fridge - pretty much caused a puddle I was so hot and sweaty.
I live in bl00dy England - it rains!!! But not when I am my sodding bike
Oh well - who would have thought I would ever be praying for rain on a push bike???
ps - Do like the idea of just having the jacket for terrible rain and simply grinning and bearing it otherwise - getting cold should not be my issue to be honest.
An update.... got all ready on Saturday afternoon for a long ride in showers - or so I thought... Heavens absolutely opened and full on thunder storm.
Bu66er that! Changed back into 'house pants' and put my feet up.
Forecast for SUnday morning was heavy shower intervals.
So... here we go again... Short sleev compression top, long sleeve lightweight layer, very light breathable and waterproof packable jacket. SHorts.
Decide not to bring the pack for the jacket as decide to wear it regardless due to this possibly happening on my long ride in Eire.
Guess what? Not a drop of rain. ANywhere! In fact, I take a longer extra loop as can see clouds again.
Nope! They bu66er off leaving me well over an hour from home in glorious sunshine and not a cloud in sight. I was hotter than the sun in my long sleeves and just went for it.
Ran out of fluids and decided to make a dash for hom.
Arrived and stood there with a cold drink from fridge - pretty much caused a puddle I was so hot and sweaty.
I live in bl00dy England - it rains!!! But not when I am my sodding bike
Oh well - who would have thought I would ever be praying for rain on a push bike???
ps - Do like the idea of just having the jacket for terrible rain and simply grinning and bearing it otherwise - getting cold should not be my issue to be honest.
oyster said:
I have commuted every single working day so far this year by bike and the last time I got any rain during the ride itself was in mid Feb.
Despite what people say, this is not a wet country.
There are some stats for London which predict that for an average commuted you'd get rained on 12 times a year.Despite what people say, this is not a wet country.
In Dublin last year there were a couple of weeks where it was soaking-arse-wet every day, morning and evening. Drove me nuts.
Long rides are a bit different, depending on air temps you can get to the stage where going slow makes you colder (through lack of exertion), and going fast makes you colder (through wind chill). Then your fingers go numb and you can't operate the levers. Then you crash, if you're unlucky. Long descents are particularly dangerous, for obvious reasons.
I did a wet ride in the Dublin mountains last May with full arm and leg warmers, rain shell and light full finger gloves, and got dangerously cold. Weather looked fine when I left the house.
HundredthIdiot said:
Why wouldn't you just put your packable jacket into your jersey pocket, stuff it down your bibs, up your jersey, or around your waist?
Unfortunately I didnt have cycling specific mid layer on under the jacket so no pockets - but should probably have just stuffed it down my shorts as you say....There was a bit of me that wanted to see how hot I would get - the answer is very
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