Any tips for commuting in the rain

[biggs682]

i wear an altura night vision jacket and then some light golfing waterproof trousers for my wet commute and just ride more alert and carefully

 

[Fab Foodie]

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.

^^^^ This.
There's nothing better than powering through the rain for all you're worth wearing a manic grin in front of your insane mind. Clothing-wise, less is more, you're gonna drown, just wear enough to be warm whilst wet. Mudguards are for whimps on days like these ...

 

[Boris Bajic]

If you have shower/locker/clean clothes and shoes at the office, it's much like commuting in the dry.

I hate rain capes in all but the wettest weather, because they get wet with sweat on the inside.

Bib tights and a lined, long-sleeved top do it for me, as do overshoes (late edit).

I always wear cycling glasses or sunglasses. I wouldn't ride in the rain, sleet or snow without them - I hate getting things in my eyes.

Lights in pairs can help with being seen in spray and poor visibility.

I used to drop the pressure of my Gatorskins from 110 to 90-ish on very wet days, but I think it made sod-all difference.

Anyone who says mudguards are necessary is wrong. If not, then I'm wrong; which is quite impossible.

On which basis, you can be sure that you don't need mudguards.

 

[dellzeqq]

ask yourself why? And, if you can't come up with a satisfactory answer - take the bus or the train, read the paper, and, when it stops raining, ride with a bigger smile on your face

 

[jonny jeez]

see section 11 (page 17) of our guide
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12757785/revamped 3.pdf.

but if I had to summarise I'd say lights, overshoes and a little more care are the most important thing

 

[glasgowcyclist]

In addition to the above..

Be aware of your bike's increased stopping distance in the wet.
When conditions allow, do a brake test in the first few yards of your journey.
During your commute give the brakes a light feathering early on on the approach to junctions to skim water off the rim and blocks before you really need them.

Be aware that you will be more difficult to see for the many motorists whose side windows will either be streaked with rain on the outside and/or misted up on the inside. They won't see you in the side mirrors either.

Rain makes people rush without checking. Peds will risk life and limb to run in front of you and all other traffic just to reach the shop/bus/office for the sake of avoiding a few drops of harmless water. The worse the weather, the more reckless they become.

GC

 

[Graham]

In addition to the above..

Be aware of your bike's increased stopping distance in the wet.
When conditions allow, do a brake test in the first few yards of your journey.
During your commute give the brakes a light feathering early on on the approach to junctions to skim water off the rim and blocks before you really need them.



GC

Agree with this - like the tip about skimming the water off - stopping distances on my road bike are absolutely dire in the wet. I was thinking of getting some KoolStop salmon brake blocks - Anyone tried these? I have the blacks at the moment and they aren't up to much.

 

[BSRU]

Agree with this - like the tip about skimming the water off - stopping distances on my road bike are absolutely dire in the wet. I was thinking of getting some KoolStop salmon brake blocks - Anyone tried these? I have the blacks at the moment and they aren't up to much.

I have black koolstops on my road bike, great in the dry but almost completely useless if the rims are wet.
My hybrid, which I ride in all weathers, has salmon koolstops and although the braking is not as good in the wet as it is when dry, it still brings the bike to a stop in good time.

 

[pshore]

For prescription glasses wearers - contacts are amazing! The irony is if you don't have mudguards you need to put safety glasses on to stop grit going in your eyes, still, you can look over the top.

Otherwise a cap or dust off that unused helmet with a peak because it helps keep a lot of the rain off your specs.

Failing that, remember:
#9 If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

 

[akb]

I always wear cycling glasses or sunglasses. I wouldn't ride in the rain, sleet or snow without them - I hate getting things in my eyes.

+1.

A pair of waterproof gloves might be a good idea too. Its surprising how cold your hands can get in normal gloves when wet. Especially if there is little movement in your hands.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

I have really enjoyed April with all that rain.Less cyclists (sorry) around and the motorists seemed to be nicer.(seems like they feel sorry for you sometimes).Great when it's peeing down and to jump in the shower when you get home.Strangely some of the keener cyclists at work wont commute in the rain.Plus I did the most commute miles in a month,last month.(350+)

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I have really enjoyed April with all that rain.Less cyclists (sorry) ...

And you should be sorry, it's fewer not less. Honestly!


GC

 

[Jdratcliffe]

one word sealskinz ! gloves socks from them make a huge difference - i recently discovered these you may notice they are a little on the pricey side but dry feet and hands make a big difference!

 

[John McLean]

If you have slick tires on your road bike it's easy to take a slide, also watch metal surfaces! Go slow.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

If you have slick tires on your road bike it's easy to take a slide, also watch metal surfaces! Go slow.

Agreed; I thought I was taking it easy yesterday until my bike turned the corner but I didn't.