Author Topic: Bicycling in the rain (Read 1226 times)

mustachemarine · « **on:** March 22, 2018, 08:27:41 PM »

This is a small thing, but it was pouring rain today and instead of driving or taking an Uber, I bicycled in the rain!

Recently I've been bicycling to work with the intent of eventually selling my vehicle. The fact that I was able to bicycle in heavy rain (this is as bad as it gets in Southern California) makes me 100% sure that I can bicycle year-round.

Others benefits include exercise, being outside, and an excellent mood boost when I finish my commute ride. I also promised not to use my parking spot at work, and will receive an extra $150 / month to ride my bicycle!

Haven't sold my car yet... but it's been sitting unused in my garage for 2 weeks now. I'm cautiously looking forward to getting rid of it!

11ducks · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2018, 10:45:13 PM »

Amazing work! Saving they $150 a month is an added bonus. Even if you get sick/hurt and have to uber/cab a few days here or there, you'll come out way ahead!

I went for a walk in the rain the other day- no reason, it was just lovely outside!

Landslave · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2018, 08:33:38 PM »

The problem where I live is tropical rain and lightning. There simply is no walking or riding a bike in it.can rain 2-3 inches in 20-30 minutes. Lightning strikes are horrific. But moderate rain like Calif gets is very doable. Go for it

Rubic · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2018, 06:33:27 AM »

I don't mind riding my bicycle in the rain, but I hate cleaning up
the drive train afterwards, esp. living in an apartment.

Nancy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2018, 06:35:52 AM »

Well done! I absolutely love riding my bike in the rain. It's such a mood booster. Good on you for opting to sell your car!

FrontRanger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2018, 05:46:19 AM »

Nice! Just wipe down the chain and drivetrain after a good ride in th rain. I was lazy here in Colorado and it rusted out my gear bad. 10 seconds of maintenance would have saved me the replacement costs.

Just Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2018, 10:34:59 AM »

Anyone had any ebike rain experience? So far my middrive has had no problems. Lunacycle assures me that the motor and display are ready for inclement weather. That doesn't address the battery or the switch gear.

nickybecky1 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2018, 10:48:19 AM »

I've E-biked through a couple rainy PNW winters without a problem. I definitely need to clean/grease the chain, but not every day, and it seems to be doing just fine. Even in fairly heavy rain that is unpleasant for biking in, the motor works fine.

GuitarStv · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2018, 10:52:28 AM »

With fenders on your bike, (and when it's not miserably cold) cycling in the rain can be kinda fun.

Just Joe · « **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2018, 11:41:23 AM »

I love the sound of tires on wet pavement. Yes, fenders are an all-weather must.

meghan88 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 27, 2018, 04:15:55 PM »

I bike rain or shine, but I much prefer the shine. Today sucked: rainy and 4 degrees C, feels like 0.

GuitarStv · « **Reply #11 on:** March 27, 2018, 05:56:38 PM »

Quote from: meghan88 on March 27, 2018, 04:15:55 PM

I bike rain or shine, but I much prefer the shine. Today sucked: rainy and 4 degrees C, feels like 0.

Yeah, but it was above zero . . . so my fingers were happy. :P

alanB · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2018, 11:36:32 AM »

Quote from: Landslave on March 23, 2018, 08:33:38 PM

The problem where I live is tropical rain and lightning. There simply is no walking or riding a bike in it.can rain 2-3 inches in 20-30 minutes. Lightning strikes are horrific. But moderate rain like Calif gets is very doable. Go for it

I biked in that kind of rain once. Nothing like the feeling of your feet dipping in and out of the rushing water. At least it was warm! Anyway, I would not recommend it ;P

meatgrinder · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2018, 01:37:20 PM »

Quote from: Rubic on March 24, 2018, 06:33:27 AM

I don't mind riding my bicycle in the rain, but I hate cleaning up
the drive train afterwards, esp. living in an apartment.

What do you do to clean up the drive train?

Rubic · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2018, 06:02:21 PM »

Quote from: meatgrinder on April 04, 2018, 01:37:20 PM

Quote from: Rubic on March 24, 2018, 06:33:27 AM
I don't mind riding my bicycle in the rain, but I hate cleaning up
the drive train afterwards, esp. living in an apartment.

What do you do to clean up the drive train?

Here's a useful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEPoDaRe2NI

GuitarStv · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2018, 06:21:11 PM »

I have to admit to being pretty lazy if it's just water. I'll pat the chain dry and re-lube. If the rims look really dirty I'll run a rag over them to clear off any grit and black stuff.

All winter long though, I pretty much do this 5 minute bike wash every time I come back from commuting to clear all the salt off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvzVRxlIUL0 . . . followed by some regreasing (I don't use WD-40 as a lube in the winter though - that's crazy advice).

Malkynn · « **Reply #16 on:** April 05, 2018, 04:30:29 AM »

DH bikes in all weather and we’re in a Canadian city with insanely extreme weather. For him, it’s all about the proper gear. For rain, I bought him rain proof pants specifically for cycling as well as shoe covers. Even then, his shoes still get wet if there’s extremely heavy rain or heavy slushy snow, so this year I’m getting him a second pair of clip shoes so that he doesn’t have to put wet shoes on at the end of the work day.
The gear is costly, but it’s so much less than having a car and good gear lasts a very long time.

Syonyk · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2018, 09:12:59 PM »

Quote from: Just Joe on March 26, 2018, 10:34:59 AM

Anyone had any ebike rain experience? So far my middrive has had no problems. Lunacycle assures me that the motor and display are ready for inclement weather. That doesn't address the battery or the switch gear.

I ebiked year round in Seattle when I lived in that corner of Hell and had no trouble at all with rain.

It should be totally fine.

PC2K · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2018, 07:55:17 AM »

Dutchie here; i cycle regardless of weather. In rain; just bring rainpants (those with shoe covers are fantastic!) and have a waterproof jacket.

meghan88 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2018, 04:38:17 PM »

Belated post: On a particularly horrible day this last week when I was locking up my bike after biking into work during freezing temps and nasty precipitation, someone said to me: "you're brave to be biking today!" To which I replied, "No, YOU'RE the brave one - you're spending your retirement funds to drive here!"

Actually, I said something even better than that at the time, but can't recall my exact words :-/

Rubic · « **Reply #20 on:** April 21, 2018, 04:58:45 PM »

Quote from: PC2K on April 09, 2018, 07:55:17 AM

Dutchie here; i cycle regardless of weather. In rain; just bring rainpants (those with shoe covers are fantastic!) and have a waterproof jacket.

I found rainpants too hot, even when the temperatures were
barely above freezing. Maybe (I'm assuming) your route was
flat and didn't require much strenuous effort?

HenryDavid · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2018, 08:03:25 AM »

Getting paid to bike is the best.
But then, all bike commuting is “paid” via avoided costs. Like parking.
Fenders make a huge difference.
Plastic bags inside wet shoes + dry Sox can be almost as good as dry shoes. The bag trick helps a lot with wind, which is what makes you cold.

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Author Topic: Bicycling in the rain (Read 1226 times)