commutercallum
Active Member
any please
Any tips for commuting in the rain
- Thread starter commutercallum
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OP
OP
commutercallum
Active Member
im about to go commuting in the rain to a bike track and i just wanted some tips for riding in the road when it is wet
What redcard said. I get changed at work where I have clothes and showering facilities, however for the ride I will have waterproofs and my favourite item is over-shoes, they keep your feet warm and mostly dry so you don't have to wear soaking shoes on the return trip.
In that case, avoid puddles more because you don't know whats at the bottom than fear of getting wet. Take up a strong road position at all times since gusts of wind can cause issues with passing traffic. Make sure you're well lit, not sure how much it helps but as Asda say, every little helps....or is that Tesco's.
Extremely clear hand signals nice and early. Don't take corners too fast and be very careful of manhole / drain covers since they're ridiculously slippery in the wet.
Overshoes will make your life a lot more pleasant. Nothing worse than soaking socks and shoes.
Ride more carefully and more assertively than usual, especially if it is windy. Motorists generally will not adjust their driving style when it is wet. In fact I would say most are usually a bit worse, so you need to make sure that you are seen and are claim your space on the road.
Ride more carefully and more assertively than usual, especially if it is windy. Motorists generally will not adjust their driving style when it is wet. In fact I would say most are usually a bit worse, so you need to make sure that you are seen and are claim your space on the road.
Mudguards, mudguards, mudguards!!! Not fashionable but they keep the spray from the front and back wheels off your shoes, face and back. As for the rest, ride naked and towel off when you get there
RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
Turn your lights on if the rain makes things gloomy and try and avoid slippery drain covers if you're deviating from a straight line or accelerating. Smile as if you enjoy it!
BlackPanther
Hyper-Fast Recumbent Riding Member.
- Location
- Doncaster.
Without wanting to open up that can of worms that is 'Hi-Viz', on rainy/overcast days, you are less visible than on bright days. I also use good quality lights day or night, rain or shine.....they do make you more visible in the rain.
Ride slower around bends, and always be extra careful if it rains after a long dry spell, as the road gets very slippery with all the built up greasy road film. If you don't have overshoes, a bread bag over each sock keeps you dry, and looks very fashionable if you're riding in shorts.
Ride slower around bends, and always be extra careful if it rains after a long dry spell, as the road gets very slippery with all the built up greasy road film. If you don't have overshoes, a bread bag over each sock keeps you dry, and looks very fashionable if you're riding in shorts.
Vikeonabike
CC Neighbourhood Police Constable
- Location
- Bourne, Lincolnshire
Hot shower, Hot chocolate and bed!
Paul_L
Über Member
- Location
- Shipley, West Yorks
Just remember that whilst you might be suffering utter pergatory inside, externally you HAVE to look like you're enjoying every second of it. Other commuters including cyclists who have bailed 'cos of the weather will be looking at you in admiration, and that alone is worth the pain.
If you have good facilities at the other end, however wet and cold you get, a change of clothes and a warm shower will sort you out in less than 5 mins.
If you have good facilities at the other end, however wet and cold you get, a change of clothes and a warm shower will sort you out in less than 5 mins.
Miquel In De Rain
No Longer Posting
I put newspaper in my cycle shoes at work when they get soaked,at least I did today.
Andrew_Culture
Internet Marketing bod
- Location
- The People's Republic Of Suffolk.
I cycle in lycra rich black jeans, because I'm not sure my colleagues are quite ready to see me in my cycling lycra!
For journeys up to about 20 minutes:
Lycra trousers, waterproof jacket, a peaked hat to keep rain off the face/out of the eyes. Overshoes.
Use lights during the daytime if it is dull and/or your journey is along tree-lined roads.
For journeys over 20 minutes:
As above, but with the addition that you will get wet regardless. None of the above will keep the rain out for this length of time (unless the rain is light) so wear clothes that absorb minimal amounts of water (e.g. synthetic base layers). Things like lycra/synthetics get wet slowly so you don't really notice it. If going to work take a complete change of clothes with you i.e. trousers, shirt/top, socks, spare shoes. Stuff newspaper in the cycling shoes and leave to dry during the day.
Other suggestions:
When you get home wipe the water off the drivetrain with a paper towel.
Use a hub-geared bike if you have one, there is less exposed drivetrain to be gunked up and ultimately trashed by the rain/mud, and less cleaning required.
Lycra trousers, waterproof jacket, a peaked hat to keep rain off the face/out of the eyes. Overshoes.
Use lights during the daytime if it is dull and/or your journey is along tree-lined roads.
For journeys over 20 minutes:
As above, but with the addition that you will get wet regardless. None of the above will keep the rain out for this length of time (unless the rain is light) so wear clothes that absorb minimal amounts of water (e.g. synthetic base layers). Things like lycra/synthetics get wet slowly so you don't really notice it. If going to work take a complete change of clothes with you i.e. trousers, shirt/top, socks, spare shoes. Stuff newspaper in the cycling shoes and leave to dry during the day.
Other suggestions:
When you get home wipe the water off the drivetrain with a paper towel.
Use a hub-geared bike if you have one, there is less exposed drivetrain to be gunked up and ultimately trashed by the rain/mud, and less cleaning required.
