Cost Benefit Analysis of Riding in the wet.

[Ghost Lemur]

As some of you will have gathered from previous posts I have made. I don't own a bike as of yet. So am left to think and dwell on every aspect of riding to the uptenth degree (would prefer to be out there just doing it).

One of the things that have struck me is the number of people who don't ride if it's raining. So I'm to gather as much infomation as possible as to why this is. Obviously there is the wet and cold (person) aspect, increased risk of accident, added gear needed, if prolonged, potential increased wear and tear on bike (rust). Anything else?

And, for those of you who do ride in the wet. How much of it is commuting necessity (bike being only transport)? How much is being obsessed with riding to the point where you have to go for a ride and weather conditions are a secondary thought? Are there any of you who conciously go riding in the wet in order to increase your bike handling skills (sort of like riding on gravel can give you a better understanding of how to recover if things start to go wrong?

[Hitcher]

Guilty as charged to going riding in the wet to see what it feels like!

The only pain with wet weather riding (on the proviso that you've got good wet weather gear) is discarding it all at your point of arrival -- particularly if the point of arrival is a cafe...

[Antallica]

Yep I know as well what it's like, seeing as my bike is my main transport I usually have to use it. As Hitcher beautifully put it, yes make sure you have waterproof gear and some very good boots.

I've had my share of accident in the wet, but those are all mainly caused by old grannies not looking properly. I won't go riding in the wet for fun, it's just too cold and absolutely no fun for me.

[FROSTY:Me]

I used to love racing in the rain because most of the other guys slowed down heaps and I was stupid enough not to.
Crashing in the rain is different too--Ya seem to slide soo much further.

[Two Smoker]

Im a bikeaholic that has to ride everyday, im addicted to riding to the extreme, i mean i went for an hour ride on my bike and a 3 hour ride on my work bike..... AND I HAVE A CAR ..... Good gear is the key to wet riding.... it makes it more pleasant knowing you arent getting wet..... Also riding like a granny in the wet is another key.....

[pete376403]

Commuting in the wet can be fun - given how a bit of rain slows down the cars even more than usual, you can splash past grinning at the thought of the extra pissed off BDCs in your wake

[SpankMe]

It's pissing down today and I have been out once today and am about to go out again. Not just for a ride but because I have places to go and things to do. I don't usually go out just for a ride when it's raining, but I will tomorrow for the Ronnie Run.

I certainly wouldn't go to the movies or restaurant if it's raining because of the hassle of getting out of and what to do with wet weather gear.

It's it's just wet and only lightly raining, then leather jacket and jeans is fine if ya don't have too far to go.

[MikeL]

Daily commute in Auckland means inevitably a good deal of riding in the wet. I can't say it's fun but with good gear it's tolerable. On longer rides you have to take particular care to keep dry and warm (boots, gloves, supposedly waterproof jacket will all get wet eventually) with liners and plastic over-clothes etc., otherwise you risk hypothermia. Not long after I got my bike I rode to Whangarei but miscalculated the weather for the return and had to ride home in pouring rain in just my leathers. Boots full of water, gloves sopping wet, jacket and pants soaked through. Never again. Last year coming back from Wlg it rained steadily all the way from Napier to Auckland, but with better gear I was a lot more comfortable.

[MrMelon]

My tyres turn into big blocks of ice as soon as it gets a little bit wet, so I slide all over the place.. so I try not to ride anywhere that has good twisty bits if i really have to go out in the wet :/

[Jackrat]

There was a time that I rode in the rain around Hamilton city streets because I enjoyed going side ways around corners.It was a real buzz spining it up in the rain but now I avoid it if I can.
The biggist draw back apart from being wet is having to clean the bike afterward.
The plus is knowing your bike a bit better.

[KATWYN]

Riding in all types of conditions are a good thing for
experience, as there will be times when you could be
caught out with unpredictable weather on a ride and
have no choice but to ride in it, so having ridden in bad
weather prior will be a good thing.

[Ms Piggy]

I've only riden in a serious down pour once and I didn't mind it. Although it was about a 40min ride return but I just took it slow. Even though my gear is supposed to be water proof I was pretty soaked by the time I got home. I ride almost everyday - only means of transport but I also love riding so I haven't been put off by rain so far.

[Firefight]

Ride in rain, yes,

I do as I comute, but also like today, as It is good to practice handling/ride skills in different enviro conditons, learn more about what bike will and won't do.


Firefight.

[madandy]

If I planned to go for a pleasureble blat and woke up to miserable rain I'd probably stay at home and do something else...if wheather turns bad part way through a ride I just slow down a bit and enjoy the slips & slides as safely as possible(ride like a nana)
Riding everyday to work and home means I take whatever the wheather throws at me.I have a Dririder one piece rain suit that keeps me and my gear dry.
Rode into town this morning in the pissing down rain to have a new rear tyre fitted....What a difference.People say be carefull with that new tyre 'cause it's got a slippery silicone coating I just did a big burn out at the shop to scrub it in a bit and she was sweet as to ride home on...then spent rest of the day in the garage working on shazukis gixxer. watching the miserable rain continue to ruin my riding plans...

[SPman]

If I have to go somewhere - town, Wellington, whatever and its raining....ce le vie! Just put on the wet weather gear and go riding. Just have to allow for it...longer stopping distances, less grip, etc, ride smoother!