Does anyone else enjoy commuting in the rain?

[rearviewmirror]

Just wondering if I'm the only one who actually enjoys riding in the rain. I find it makes my commute more fun. Anyone else?

[hoboct]

I find it ok to somewhat enjoyable (depending on what the rest of the weather is like), so long as it's not raining when starting out, or starts less than 10 or so minutes into it when the body isn't yet warmed up.

The shower at the end feels so much better when you're soaked with rain

[RobertFrith]

Yep, me, I do. I quite enjoy it in the heat too. If I could learn to love wind a bit more I'd pretty much enjoy it all the time

[Fletcher]

Once I'm wet I enjoy it. Mind you, I've only experienced it twice in six months, because it barely ever rains here - which sort of makes me wonder why I bothered installing mudguards on my bike

[madrapper]

I'm with Fletcher - don't like starting a ride in the rain but once you're wet it becomes fun. Especially when it's really hammering down, there are flooded sections all over the place and your mudguards & booties aren't worth a damn.

It's times like that I find myself singing and yahoo-ing out loud

[Ross A]

The Friday before last I walked outside at 5am and it was gently raining, I checked the radar and it was green and orange patches everywhere and Weatherzone predicted 90% chance heavy rain at 6am, 9am and 3pm. In six months of commuting I'd never been wet, but I thought, well the worst that can happen (apart from slipping over) is that I'll get a bit wet. And I did - to and from work.

In a strange way it is kinda fun though. The spray coming off the back wheel making the water run down your leg filling up your shoe with water and the squishy feeling in your shoes when you push down. Then there's the heavy rain blowing in your face, and having to look over your glasses because you can't see through them. It's all about character building!

Then at 3pm when it was time to ride home, it was bucketing down as predicted, so I pushed Mike out in the pouring rain and did it all again. The guys at work thought I was crazy!

[Mulger bill]

Wet glasses and slower cornering are the only downsides. The rest is a blast.
I really like it after dark with the AyUps showing thousands of shiny drops coming my way. Feels like hyperspace

Shaun

[Fred Nurk]

Wet glasses and slower cornering are the only downsides. The rest is a blast.
I really like it after dark with the AyUps showing thousands of shiny drops coming my way. Feels like hyperspace

Shaun

I remember riding home at dusk with AyUps, instead of rain, though, it was bugs. I learnt to breathe through my nose rather quickly.

As for riding in the rain, the lower temperature when its overcast is good, the endlessly foggy glasses and keeping your head to one side of your bike to avoid eating the spray from the front wheel isn't (I don't have mudguards).

I'm not brave enough to go out in the rain without lights, I figure the more visibility I have when its dark and cloudy the better.

I don't know if I like it, but its not going to stop me from riding to work. Thats the penalty I get for 7 months of dry weather.

[Biffidus]

When there's a hot shower waiting at the end I love it... especially the "you mad bugger" look I get from all the motorists.

[wombatK]

My heart says yes, but my head says no. Head says its rather more dangerous, because the bogans in cars can't see as well and don't slow down so have less margin for error etc.,.. Usually, I let my heart rule. Heart says it's fun defying common wisdom every now and then

[biftek]

When there's a hot shower waiting at the end I love it... especially the "you mad bugger" look I get from all the motorists.

love riding in the rain , it's so much fun all nice and refreshing , just hate it when it is blowing a gail and you get the big arse drops stinging you

the comments at the end of the ride " wet enough for you is it? " nah mate it's not , why can you do something about it? ..lol

[rearviewmirror]

I'm glad to hear I'm not crazy! I really enjoy the pouring rain. I am lucky that my commute has an all bike path option, I'll get off the roads when visibility is decreased. There's just something cool about the ride to work in the rain, I can't explain it. I will say that buying the Ortlieb Pro Messenger bag was a greats investment, I could submerge that bag and not a single drop would get inside. I usually ditch my glasses when the rain starts coming down, they end up hindering my vision more than helping it.

[Fletcher]

Wet glasses and slower cornering are the only downsides.

Shaun

....and punctures. THe water helps the glass on it's journey through the tyre. Nobody likes getting a puncture in the rain. However, if the tyres are good, and relatively new, it's all good.

[ve safari]

I love riding in summer rain, when the water is almost warm. Good stuff.

[silkishuge]

Can't say I like riding in the rain but I do ride in the rain. I don't go out riding for the purpose of riding in the rain, but if I have to head to work in the rain, so be it. Thats why Mrs S bought me the wet weather gear for anyway. Commuting in the rain always adds another element of danger for me. Stopping and traction are two issues for me. I can deal with punctures, but sliding under a moving vehicle is something I rather not have to deal with. Dedicated bike lanes would minimise that danger, but there are many gaps in my 30km commute that do not have dedicated bike lanes.

J

[ve safari]

So - any recommended wet weather gear? All I have is a spray jacket.

[silkishuge]

- Always bring spare socks when I commute. Shoe covers work well, but water does get through. I got simple ones from BBB. Always keep them in my pack
- Mud guards are a must, rear will keep your bum dry, front will help you see where you are going.
- Rain cover for back pack. Pack is splash proof, but water will eventually get through.
- Anti fog glasses a must for me. They still fog, but take a while longer.
- Rain coat. I got the Netti one in yellow. High vis and keeps the rain water out. Be prepared to be dripping wet from your sweat though because it is not as breathable as they say it is. I was using it when riding in -5 deg C and also did quite well in keeping me warm.

J

[jtb1965]

- I absolutely love riding in the rain, don't know why just do.
- I also love riding at night time, however night and rain don't mix as I feel endangered.

[Max]

When I was a kid, I used to look forward to the rain. I'd throw on my cheapie raincoat, jump on the bike and find the steepest hill on the darkest road in the heaviest rain possible. I loved it. To this day, I don't know how I didn't get myself killed either by stacking the bike or going under the wheels of a car.

Nowadays, riding in the rain is something I actively avoid. I hate the obligatory cleanup after the ride. Wiping the frame, cleaning the chain, oiling it, making sure everything's dry etc etc. Urgh. Saying that, if I'm caught out in the rain, I don't mind riding through it. In fact, I've had some of my best Zen moments when riding in heavy rain.

Now that I'm riding to work more and more, I expect that riding in the rain will be something I'll have to do. I have a backpack cover, and will get myself a decent rain jacket. I have some booties too. But no way am I putting mudguards on my euro cool 'dale

Max

[mikedufty]

I quite enjoy the riding, just don't like cleaning all the muck off afterwards. Sealskinz water proof socks work really well for keeping feet warm and comfortable. Maybe longer mudguards would help with the muck? I find everything coated with sand after a 12km wet ride in perth.
I can't say stopping distances are noticably affected with discs, but I do slow down more for the corners, especially the ones with metal expansion joints.

[Mulger bill]

Wet glasses and slower cornering are the only downsides.

Shaun

....and punctures. THe water helps the glass on it's journey through the tyre. Nobody likes getting a puncture in the rain. However, if the tyres are good, and relatively new, it's all good.

I commuted most of last year on Maxxis ReFuse without flats, when I got the Kona for the job I ended up with Gators. Still no flats. Mind you, we haven't had much rain down this way lately. I likes them reinforced tyres

Shaun

[Runjikol]

I love it until my feet get wet. Don't like having wet feet.

[rearviewmirror]

Looks like tonight will be a nice ride home in the rain, and I'm looking forward to it!

[silkishuge]

I love it until my feet get wet. Don't like having wet feet.

+1. Wet feet this morning and I hope I get to keep them dry on the way home.

J

[thekovac]

You folks are wierd! hahaha I can't see whats enjoyable about the rain!! Its usually very wet, damp (because of my waterproof jacket) and my shoes take forever to dry..... although I do enjoy the "you're absolutely nuts" looks from drivers and the pride of turning up to my destination and going "yes thats right - I'm so wet because I'm a cyclist and not a lazy driver" ....... the only rain I enjoy is when its lightly spitting not like the windstorm and heavy painful dreanching rain I experienced on Sunday around 5pm last week near burwood - that was nasty as! .....maybe when I get into my daily 50km commute I will probably enjoy the rain a bit more because I'll have no other option but to do so hahah....