So annoyed.

[Brandane]

If you live in this country, and you don't like riding in the rain / dark / cold, then you're not going to get many miles in at this time of the year. I guess that's the difference between a cyclist and someone who rides a bike.

Forget rain, the wind is the only issue recently. Did not expect such strong wind yesterday around lunchtime really screwed up my average speed and I considered not uploading my ride because of it. When you put the effort in and the wind holds you back, stops you getting KOM's etc, nothing is more annoying.

 

[Racing roadkill]

It's raining, so no need for that.

My philosophy is "get up, get out". Unless it it icy, in which case it is get up, text ride buddies to cancel and go back to bed.

Ice is the only thing that will stop me riding. I had an 'off' on the ice last year, and very nearly slid onto the opposite carriageway. That wasn't a good experience. I used to avoid thick fog as well, but that isn't a major issue, if you plan a route that's mainly paths and trails, rather than roads.

 

[night cycler]

I see you set alarm for 8 o'clock that is the middle of the morning, much too late.

The house would have to be on fire for me to willingly get up before 8am

 

[night cycler]

You shower before a bike ride?

In the OP, he mentioned that he was going to be trying new gear on. It seems like a hygienic thing to do, especially if he had err...been to the toilet. Maybe the gentleman had a shower after the ride also.

 

[arch684]

I shower in the morning but don't go out on the bike until later.I will shower after cycling or if these old legs are sore i will have a soak in the bath

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Same as @tallliman , if the rain is already underway I may not venture out. Drizzle is kind of OK and I will make the effort despite it. This Sunday was a fine example of weather tolerance - it was raining a little at 8am, and the puddles were aplenty, then by 10 it was really coming down, but I was so in need of a decent ride. Overshoes, waterproof jacket + mudguards = damn the weather.

 

[mjr]

I don't mind riding in rain. I think it's OK as long as my core base layer remains dry, as it did on Sunday. OTTOMH, I wore merino ski socks, stiff shoes, underwear, thermal undertrousers, trousers, cotton T-shirt, LS fleece, thin rain jacket with hood, buff, thinsulate buff, anti-mist glasses, sealskinz-clone gloves. It rained on me for about 1h30, pelting for the last 20 minutes.

I don't much like taking off dripping clothes and mopping up the puddles they leave is just annoying... but as others note, if you won't ride in rain, your winter riding will be really limited.

Umm - skin's waterproof, folks? Well, mine is

That must make washing and medication rather difficult. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_(skin)

Forget rain, the wind is the only issue recently. Did not expect such strong wind yesterday around lunchtime really screwed up my average speed and I considered not uploading my ride because of it. When you put the effort in and the wind holds you back, stops you getting KOM's etc, nothing is more annoying.

I couldn't care less about KOMs (don't race on the open roads outside of official events, please) but I agree that the wind is more of an issue. I went out with many layers on last week, but I felt awful until I put a windproof layer on. Silly mistake.

Ice is the only thing that will stop me riding. I had an 'off' on the ice last year, and very nearly slid onto the opposite carriageway.

I had an 'off' on the ice year before last - no real danger as I slid down an empty road, but it broke the handlebars. I've got studded tyres on an old MTB for that now.

 

[Brian Stacks]

Cycling in the rain is ok but make sure you have the correct kit before you set off. I went out last Sunday and the wind pushed the rain right through my so called second rate waterproof jacket. Resulted in one very damp wet idiot. Have now purchased a decent cycle jacket!!!

 

[mjr]

Cycling in the rain is ok but make sure you have the correct kit before you set off. I went out last Sunday and the wind pushed the rain right through my so called second rate waterproof jacket. Resulted in one very damp wet idiot. Have now purchased a decent cycle jacket!!!

Don't expect too much because it's always a balancing act. My usual rain jacket is showerproof rather than full waterproof because after an hour or so, the rain will get through it, usually at the bend of my elbows. But all jackets have holes for your hands and head, so the rain's usually got through there after an hour too.

A full waterproof jacket doesn't do that, but it also doesn't let the sweat out, so you can get gently moist and smelly inside if it's too warm or you ride too hard, plus the water will just run off the bottom, so you'll get a wet lap or wet thighs depending on its length. Then you can add rainlegs but you'll get wet calves... so you switch to full waterproof trousers but they add to the sweating problem and you get wet feet... so you add overshoes but they only do so much and eventually you will get wet through the stretchy bits. Summary: ride long enough in rain and you will get wet The trick is not to get cold and keep the core dry as long as possible IMO - I sacrifice everything below the knee to the wet.