mstraus

I am new to Bike Commuting and the rainy season in NorCal hasn't quite started yet, so I haven't tried a commute in the rain yet, though I am debating trying when it does rain.

I am not concerned about me or my cargo getting wet (good gear will mitigate that). My concerns are around safety, specifically:
1. Roads being more slick when its raining, particularly painted bike lanes, which seem to get more slick when wet then unpainted roads
2. Beyond just roads, there are a number of metal plates (for construction or underground access), yellow crossing things on bike paths, etc that I have to cross daily (I can't avoid them all the way many are in the bike lanes/paths). These have been very slippery when wet (have had some very wet, drizzly commutes due to Fog in San Francisco).
3. Large descent - I have a large decent in my commute both directions - making more more concerned about slick roads.
4. Visability, more so for other drivers seeing me

I can reduce #3 by biking to a ferry instead of biking all the way. Maybe #1 and 2 are not as big a deal as I fear, so curious to hear what others things. What about 4? How does it compare to visibility in the dark?/

sam21fire

When I'm touring I ride when it's raining, even raining several days in a row, but I admit that setting up/breaking down camp in the rain isn't much fun. A 20 mile round trip commute in the rain? No biggie. I sweat so much that unless it's cold I don't wear anything extra beyond a jacket.

HydroG33r 

I'm probably ignorant about your climate, but wouldn't you only get a handful or less days of rain a month in TX?

Notwithstanding how much rain you get, I'm in a similar boat as you. Been commuting for about 4.5 months, and am committing to keeping it up through the rainy season here in Vancouver. Have invested in some blinky lights, warmer clothes, gaiters and fenders etc though.

WestPablo

Most of my wipeouts have taken place under wet conditions. I now try to avoid the rain.

ben4345

Hell yeah, riding in the rain is awesome! Why wouldn't you do it! Unless you are a witch... are you a witch?

1nterceptor

1 Yes, caution should be taken when braking and turning. I don't know what the exact type of paint they use in your area;
but if it's the same dull green paint they use here it shouldn't be a problem.

2 Same precaution with white reflective paint, see #1 and video.

3 Brake early, move butt back to give more traction on the rear.

4 Light rain, you really don't have to do anything. In hard rain; it helps to use a baseball cap
or a decent visor on your helmet. Check videos to get an idea for visibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hheUc-zlfiM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7jfcWEkSrI

Nerdanel 

fify

tsl

I ride to work in the snow, so why wouldn't I ride in liquid snow?

I've ridden in downpours that have flooded parts of the street above my BB. Makin' waves! Passin' drowned cars!

DX-MAN

LOL, tsl -- I remember doing that, spring of '03 -- a street on my route home at the time was flooded over a foot deep; since I knew there weren't big potholes along there, I just rolled through. Every pedal stroke was "SPLOOSH! SPLOOSH!" The fallout of it was that my Deore RD quit a week later, and the Pearl Izumi socks I wore that day stained my ankles black! I smiled about that for a MONTH!

OP, I've been commuting since 2000, and car-free since '04; I've been through several sets of cheaper rain suits, and I'm curious right now to see how long my well-performing Frogg Toggs will last. I've gotten over the primal, hardcore joy that rain riding used to give me, but it's still fun. No WAY, NO HOW, IN HELL, am I skipping riding to work because of a little rain.

Rob22315

Yes, in fact, I did it last Friday which was the last day of a 5 day non-stop rain parade here in DC. The streams and creeks were all overflowing. That trip convinced me to get some SKS raceblade removeable fenders so I could do it again tomorrow. I installed the fenders tonight - they are awesome!!

rustjunkie

Nevah!
I hunker down when it's wet outside; wait it out.

ben4345

tsl, has the worst dandruff problem known to men.

ItsJustMe

On my route my bike gets incredibly dirty in just one ride in the rain.

My solution: Power washer. Mud caked to clean in 30 seconds.

I do run with significant rear lighting always, so when it's raining I am OK already. A MagicShine tail (about equivalent to the AA Dinotte rear light) on steady, a Knog Blinder 4V on slow fade/pulse and a Cygolite Hotshot on rapid pulse is my current rear lighting strategy (plus a reflective vest)

ItsJustMe

Apart from two times when I've stupidly held off mounting the studded tires a day too long, the 4 times in my life I've wiped out it's been on loose sand or gravel. I've never wiped out on wet conditions, probably because I'm extra careful when it's wet.

david58

tsl's are obviously bigger than mine. I ride in the rain, but when it gets windy lotsa crap falls out of the trees and Oregon drivers forget how to, or when it gets snowy I climb into my evil SUV.

blakcloud

I ride year round. My commuter bikes are set up for any type of inclement weather. Fenders are a must and studded tires and disk brakes for winter. The way I look at it is that some days are more enjoyable to ride than others.

Andy_K 

I'm a little surprised you bother. The only time I clean my rain bike is when I need to re-lube the chain, and even then I only clean as much as need to keep the lube from doing more harm than good.

Bike Gremlin

Exactly. I prefer fast DRYING clothes. Get soaked and then change. I only have a thin jacket that keeps wind and rain out, for those really cold and rainy days. Otherwise I just hang clothes to dry, change into fresh ones, and then change back before going home. Thin, fast drying clothes (microfiber if possible).


My solution is alu frame, alu wheels, SS spokes and Shimano MTB groupo (Acera for the last 3 years). Works sweet in snow, salt, rain - no problems. Just lube it nice. The only things I ever sort of wipe are the seat, handlebars and the chain.

Twice a year (spring and autumn) I also wipe and re-lube derailleur and brake pivots.

@Jason

My biggest issue in the rain is my required eye-glasses, which make it hard to see when wet. How do you all handle that?

fietsbob

I live on the Northwest Oregon Coast, It's Donning rain-gear, to go out the door, even to get a brewski..

the Pub run..

Cyclist's rain cape FTW.

kookaburra1701

I live in a temperate rain forest, so if I didn't ride in the rain I would never get to ride at all. Also, no car, so I'd have to skip work that day, and I'd prefer to remain gainfully employed.

kookaburra1701

I have prescription Rudy Project Sunglasses, I'm saving up to get clear lenses to wear when it's dark. I use Nikwax Visor Proof on the outside, and it seems to work just fine.

the sci guy 

https://www.amazon.com/Daron-Wiper-Gl.../dp/B00BQVZMNC

elvez

Not on purpose.

noglider 

I like wearing sandals or sneakers with a thin mesh upper when riding in the rain. This way, my feet get wet but they can dry quickly afterwards. Wool socks are an important part of the mix, because wool stays warm when wet. It also doesn't absorb much water. Same for some synthetics. Cotton socks are the worst.