When you're tired of cycling

[esoxlucius]

No such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing choices

Why say this, when if you read through my post I say exactly the same thing in the last paragraph!!

I don't mind being out in the rain. That's fine. But actually setting off while it's raining sets off the voice in my head that says "only an idiot would go out in this". If it starts raining 10 minutes in - one minute even - no problem. But leaving a dry house to go into the rain, I don't like that

I am exactly the same. I have good various weather gear to wear, and I have raceblade mudguards for the bike. If I'm mid ride and the heavens open, so what, but the slightest hint of raindrops on the window before I set off and that's the ride cancelled. It seems I'm not the only one with this funny quirk!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Why say this, when if you read through my post I say exactly the same thing in the last paragraph!!

Don’t be so serious 🙃

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I don't take this concept of "no such thing as bad weather, just incorrect clothing" in isolation.

As an ex-postie, you get used to going out in all weather, from approx -10C during Beast Of The East to approx +37C during one of the July '22 heatwaves.

But what stops me going out cycling in bad weather, at least on nicer bikes, is I don't want a load of gritty water thrown all over the 105 drivetrain that will increase the wear rate without a good clean after the ride.

I'm still not sure if I'll go out in bad weather on the ebike with Tiagra, for exactly the same reason.

The hybrid Marasa had to get me to work in all weather until my unexpected final shift almost three years ago to the day and I just accepted consumable drivetrain bits would need replacing more often, but they wouldn't cost a kidney being 3x9 Sora.

Like many others, I've paid a price for riding outdoors in bad weather. I lost four teeth, fractured my upper jaw into a jigsaw and mangled my right hand, days after turning 40 in the Xmas '13 storm.

Plus when there's a decent turbo like my H3 setup ready to go with a bike fitted, it makes it even harder to justify going out in bad weather.

But each to their own!

 

[Webbo2]

I have cycling clothing that will cope with below freezing temperatures but there’s no way I’m heading out if there’s any risk of ice on the roads. I’d much rather use the turbo than spend months with a limb in a pot.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I also realise that there is a saying in cycling, "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad attire". Very true. Modern day cycling gear can keep you warm and dry but man, it's just so depressing going out in the rain.

Also makes a right mess of your bike.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Also makes a right mess of your bike.

Mudguards and mudflaps are your friend

 

[Webbo2]

Mudguards and mudflaps are your friend

I find mudguards cause the drive train to get dirtier.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I find mudguards cause the drive train to get dirtier.

How weird

 

[Webbo2]

How weird

Rather than spraying up your back the water goes all over your bike.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Rather than spraying up your back the water goes all over your bike.

Why would it escape the mudguard?

 

[Sloth]

Are you actually not enjoying the riding, or are you simply struggling to motivate yourself out of the door?

I used to run a lot before Achilles issues made me get a bike.
There’s an old saying ‘the hardest part of the run (ride) is getting out the door‘.

I’ve never been on a run or ride that I didn’t (eventually) enjoy.
Although I tend to hate the first 15 minutes or so until my body wakes up.

However, if you no longer enjoy it at all, even when doing it then the above is no help I suppose.

 

[Webbo2]

Why would it escape the mudguard?

It sprays to the sides by the drivetrain on most of the mudguards I’ve used for the last 40 years.

 

[Rusty Nails]

It sprays to the sides by the drivetrain on most of the mudguards I’ve used for the last 40 years.

If it hits the underside of the mudguard at speed it has to bounce off somewhere. Mudguards might protect the front mech from some gunge, and definitely the rider's ar*e and back from the dreaded mud stripe.

 

[esoxlucius]

I think I'd rather protect my face, arse and back during the ride than my drivetrain, which can be thoroughly cleaned after the ride.

Unless there are all singing all dancing guards which protect the bike and the rider? I'm not sure you can have it both ways.

 

[Dogtrousers]

On my bike the water is spat out of the leading edge of the mudguard, that's below the BB at rear and over the front wheel. It doesn't spray out of the sides. I suppose if you have those skinny flat mudguards rather than U shaped ones it might do that.