"Wet Weather? No Problem! A Short Guide to Biking in the Rain"/Sleet? * Video *

https://bikeeastbay.org/wetweather

Source: bikeeastbay.org

The 'typical' Chicago spring weather is now reoccurring, over and over again . . .

Sharing an article that reveals some basic common sense tips for biking in the rain that some of our newer cycling community members might find useful.

Do you have any tips/advice that would be useful for rain riding?

Views: 355

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Everyone will be faced with riding in the rain, and with a little knowledge and the appropriate gear, spinning through showers can actually be an enjoyable experience.The wetter you get the colder you are going to be. Being cold and wet is a quick way to get sick. Keep your core warm. A waterproof vest or jacket with a dropped skirt in the back and a hood is critical for heavy conditions. Wear a wicking underliner made from wool or polypropylene and wool socks.

Cover your shoes with neoprene booties to insulate them when they are soaked, and use full fingered water- and wind-resistant gloves. Remember, your body sweats rain or shine, so your jacket and garments must breathe (chose Gore-Tex-type fabrics or ventilated outer garments) or you'll arrive wet from the inside, instead of the outside.

When I went looking for a rain cover for my helmet, I discovered that my helmet manufacturer (Lazer) makes a hard plastic shell made to exactly fit my helmet. This is an amazing addition. It pops on easily for raining days. I also use it all winter long, since it dramatically cuts down the ventilation through the helmet and holds the heat in. I bike in -10 F days with a thin balaclava underneath it with no problems.

I think many people who ride without them would be amazed at what a difference full fenders on a bike can make.  Most rainy days, as long as you have some flexibility in your schedule, you can avoid riding in a straight out down poor.  The road spray is going to leave your feet/lower half soaked, however, if you don't have a a front fender long after it's stopped raining hard.        

I agree. Definitely fenders. 

Nothing like a good waterproof jacket and waterproof pants in a downpour. I love the Shower's Pass jacket I reviewed. It is also great at blocking wind. I also wear the booties and constantly forget that road shoes don't do well in puddles. 

With the fall weather bringing a seemingly endless cycle of rain this week, there is the typical drop off of riders occurring.
Hope this Info can help any new cyclists with riding in the rain.

Some very inexpensive solutions: A shower cap helps keep your head dry, and you can hear traffic noise. A baseball-style cap with a long bill is good for keeping water out of your eyes. An extra large pair of dishwashing gloves will keep you hands dry.

While these are very sensible suggestions, I just got a mental image of someone wearing yellow dish washing gloves, a shower cap, and rain boots pedaling like mad on a Divvy bike... Please let this happen.

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service