[Higgins23]

Getting ready to ride in my first organized ride this weekend. And of course...it's supposed to rain! I have a rain shell I plan to take in my back pocket to put on if needed. What else? Suggestions on other preparations I should make? Not too excited about this I'm only riding 28 miles, but that's an accomplishment for me!

 

[tihsepa]

28 miles in the rain? Dont sweat it. You are going to get wet regardless. Just bomb it and have fun.

 

[gte105u]

Rain rides can be a lot of fun. Less so if it is pouring the whole time but it can be a lot of fun. Why type of tires are you running? What are the roads like. Just be careful once the roads get wet it can be slippery.

 

[PJ352]

RE: the wet/ slippery roads, stay clear of any painted lines. They're treacherous in wet weather.

Other than that, get wet and have fun!!

 

[Kerry Irons]

Getting ready to ride in my first organized ride this weekend. And of course...it's supposed to rain! I have a rain shell I plan to take in my back pocket to put on if needed. What else? Suggestions on other preparations I should make? Not too excited about this I'm only riding 28 miles, but that's an accomplishment for me!

This time of year, depending on your latitude, rain rides can be about staying warm rather than staying dry (in reality they are never about staying dry). So you want to look at temperature to make sure that you have stuff that will keep you warm.

As others have noted the roads can be slippery so be more careful in corners and watch for things like paint and any kind of metal (manhole covers, grates, bridge decks, expansion joints). You also want to put things in plastic bags in your jersey pockets (wallet, money, phone, food) so that it doesn't become water sogged. This is where you can put a bandana for wiping your glasses on occasion. And speaking of glasss, wear your helmet so it is just above your glasses. In most cases that will leave a clear spot on your glasses along the top of the lenses.

 

[Carverbiker]

In the rain I like to reduce air pressure in the tires a bit (5-10 psi) to give a bit more traction, avoid making turning/breaking maneuvers on road paint, wear a cycling cap under bike helmet to keep water from glassess/eyes, assess braking conditions early in the ride as it will take longer to stop with wet brakes, do not follow too closely to people in front as tire spray is annoying, anticipate when you need to brake and lightly apply pressure to brake levers to squeegee brake tracks.

I like to think of winter driving when riding in the rain.

Forget staying completely dry as if you get so waterproofed when you start exerting yourself you will get wet with sweat anyway. But as Kerry stated, depending on the temperature staying warm can be critical. I would also suggest keeping a towel or two and dry clothes in the car to change into after the ride as driving home in wet/muddy clothes is not pleasant.

 

[AndrwSwitch]

Fenders. Preferably with mud flaps. Depending on temperature, tights, shoe covers and a cycling cap can all help.

 

[DocRogers]

Be careful of the slipperies, and clean/lube the whole bike when you are done. I used to hate rain riding but now I kind of enjoy it.

 

[nhluhr]

This is October through May for me. 5000 miles of rainy riding. Fenders help, and a Peet Boot/Glove dryer makes it possible to do all over again with dry shoes the next day.

 

[SFTifoso]

Riding in the rain = FUN

Cleaning the bike after the rain = non so much fun

 

[AndrwSwitch]

Nobody's holding a gun to your head. Wipe down the chain and leave the rest for Spring.