How to Ride a Bike in the Rain Without Getting Wet or Hurt
While more than three-quarters of Americans commute to work every day, alternative forms of transportation are gaining popularity, such as e-bike sales skyrocketing after the pandemic . And after two decades of slow growth in the number of people cycling to work rather than driving, our recent crackdown on apocalyptic gas prices has inspired more people across the country to bike to work . And that’s good news, because cycling is healthier, better for the environment, and a lot more fun than sitting in traffic and staring at someone else’s brake lights. But this cycling life has one huge downside: the weather.
Cycling to work (or anywhere) on a warm sunny day will always be more enjoyable than a grueling car ride. But cycling in the rain is no doubt more dangerous than cycling in dry weather: the surface is smoother, visibility is lower, and bikes are far more vulnerable to flooding. However, this does not mean that cycling in the rain should not be started – all it takes is a little preparation.
How to dress for cycling in the rain
Obviously, the biggest disadvantage of cycling in wet weather is the wet part. If you’ve ever been caught in a thunderstorm while riding your bike, you know you’ll get wet in minutes. Throw in some cold temperatures and it’s a miserable experience. To ride a bike in the rain, you need to dress properly:
- Raincoats and pants. Start with a waterproof jacket and rain pants . The key things to look out for (besides the waterproof part) are the breathable fabric (to keep you from sweating to death in your waterproof cocoon) and the reflective stripes that improve your visibility on cloudy days.
- Shoe covers and gloves. Wet shoes are the worst, so you should buy a good pair of shoe covers to protect your feet.
- Waterproof bag. If you’re commuting somewhere, chances are you’re bringing work materials with you, or perhaps despite all your waterproof gear, you want to bring a dry change of clothes with you. Whatever you carry, be sure to buy a waterproof backpack or bag . This way, you can be sure that even if you get wet to the skin, your work will remain clean.
How to prepare your bike for the rain and take care of it
Bikes work great in wet weather but require extra maintenance to avoid rust and other damage. And you should definitely invest in some safety improvements if you’re going to hit the stream on your bike:
- Add a bike light. Rainy conditions tend to be dark and visibility is low. Adding some bike lights will make it easier for drivers (and other cyclists) to see you, and adding a rechargeable headlight to your bike’s handlebars will light the path in front of you as well as improve your visibility.
- Wings and fenders. One trip in the rain will teach you a very valuable lesson: half of the water that soaks you is lifted by your own tires. Adding some fenders or mudguards to your ride will greatly reduce the amount of water directly on your feet.
- Tires. You should also consider switching to puncture-resistant tires – rainy weather tends to wash a lot of debris into your path, increasing the chance of a puncture. And fixing a flat tire in the rain is one of the most frustrating experiences in life, no matter what vehicle we’re talking about.
In addition to these additions to your bike, you should also perform quick post-ride maintenance every time you’ve been out in the rain:
- Clean your bike. Riding a bike in the rain not only makes your bike wet, it also makes it dirty with mud and other debris picked up from the road. Drying and cleaning immediately after a ride is important to prevent rust and other damage, and to keep your vehicle in good condition. Rinsing the bike with a hose is a good idea, but if that’s not practical, use a chamois or laundry towel to remove moisture and dirt.
- Lubricate the chain. Your chain is the most vulnerable part of your bike, and it can get dirty while riding in the rain, increasing the chance of it breaking or slipping. Once cleaned, a quick spray of chain lube will protect the chain and ensure smooth movement through the gears.
- Check headlights and tire pressure. After every ride, it’s important to have your headlights checked quickly to make sure they’re working properly—in some weather conditions, your bike lights may be the only way motorists or other bikers can see you. You should also check your tire pressure – if your tires are a little soft (5-10 psi below the usual recommended pressure), this can give you extra traction on rain-slick surfaces.
Practice defensive cycling
Once you’ve prepared and your bike is ready for the rain, all you have to do is adjust to the ride. Rain changes all the cycling conditions you are used to, so you will need to adjust your riding approach:
- Be on the defensive. It’s unfair, but cars and other motorized vehicles dominate the roads, and drivers often don’t think about cyclists at all or act bizarrely aggressive towards them. To be honest, many drivers might think that no sane person would ride a bike in a whirlpool, so they just don’t think they need to keep an eye on you. Always assume that the motorist cannot see you and use extreme caution when riding a bicycle.
- Slow down. Your brakes won’t work as well in wet weather, and your tires, no matter how good they are or how well you regulate the pressure in them, will slip more in the rain. Give yourself extra time to slow down and stop by cycling at a more moderate pace.
- Avoid puddles. Rain has a way of showing how delayed road and track maintenance is in your area. Riding through a puddle can be fun, especially when you’re snug in your waterproof gear, or maybe you don’t want to change your route just because of a huge puddle. But puddles can hide deep ruts and dips that can cause you to lose control and/or damage your bike.
Cycling in the rain can be just as healthy, environmentally friendly and fun as any other time if you take a few precautions.