First time out in the wet...

[Fatt Max]

So, the conversation went something like this..

Me: Right-O then Love, I'm off

Missus: You mean now, but it's raining

Me: Yep I know

Missus: Are you getting the bus?

Me: Nope, I'm hopping on the bike

Missus: But...but...but....it's dangerous in the wet, you might slide or crash or something, please please please darling, for the sake of us and the kids, I beg you, please take the bus, for me...(tears etc etc)

Me: It's all good. I have to get out in the rain one day, may as well be today.

Missus: Why today? Cant you wait until you....you know...have been riding a bit longer?

Me: Mate, experience is everything. And anyway, I renewed my life insurance last week so everythings A-OK.

Missus: Oh alright then. Can you drop this letter off at the post box, you go past that on the bike, dont you? Oh, and see if you can beat your record time of 32 minutes into work, call me when you do.

Me: And if I dont?

Missus: Erm...whats your policy number again?

Aaaaaaaanyway, the point to all of this is I had my first outing in the rain this morning on the new bike. I've been following the forums closely and picking up the tips and thankfully all went well.

Kept the speed down, stayed switched on and didnt take any chances whatsoever. All great advice from the KB 's, thanks again guys.

Take care, ride safe and eat pies

[maybe]

Good to hear all went well, I enjoy wet weather riding just as much as anything.

[<Rhino>]

Good on you for getting out there. I was shite scared when I first started riding in the rain (which was the first week I started riding and it lasted for two months!) I thought every corner the bike would slide, was pretty slow but patient. I let cars go past when they needed to just to get them out of the way mostly and to reduce the risk of them doing soming stupid to get past and me paying the price.

As time went by my confidence grew, but I still ride very cautiously in the wet. My biggest scare came from sliding on a wet road, lack of attention and going a bit quick caused that but I avoided the drop and missed the car!JUST

Patience is a virtue in the wet.

[MarkH]

I don't mind riding in the rain - just got to take care.

Remember:
Watch the painted lines, they can be uber slippery in the wet.
Be VERY alert, you want as much time as possible to alter speed or line.
Take it easy, be patient.
Accelerate, brake & corner more gently than normal.
Watch the intersections, there is sometimes a little surface oil that makes them more slippery.

With a little extra care you too can ride in the rain and live to tell about it!

[Badjelly]

And, of course, remember that the car drivers really can't see you.

[slimjim]

yes an years too come...hope you're still getting that.buzz..
rain on helmet........waiting at the lights...........trucks white wall coming and going.......white lines...........O yes its an enjoyment...
glad the missus gives a hoot......
safe riding .Dude

[vifferman]

Aaaaaaaanyway, the point to all of this is I had my first outing in the rain this morning on the new bike. I've been following the forums closely and picking up the tips and thankfully all went well.

But? BUT?!?!
Never mind all that - did you break your world record of 32 minutes for the commute?

[Fatt Max]

But? BUT?!?!
Never mind all that - did you break your world record of 32 minutes for the commute?

No, not really....kept the speed down and the freckle tight mate . Dont know if the missus has been down the insurance office yet, I'll check the paper later to see if she has reported me missing / dead / slim / not smelly or something...

[OutForADuck]

I must be getting old.. I hate the rain.. cold, dangerous and road muck all over your bike!!! Good on ya mate.

P.S. Years ago I did a wet weather track course in the UK, they started by getting us to try and deliberately spin the back coming out of corners. By the end of the day we had been trying so hard we were charging, but still very few had managed to spin up the back.. just goes to show.. wet weather is about confidence!!!

[mrchips]

Where i live they place manhole lids right in the apex of corners, thats some nasty shit in the wet !

[Swoop]

Where i live they place manhole lids right in the apex of corners, thats some nasty shit in the wet !

I'm investigating drainlayers and their training processes. I'll ask.
I also asked to be permitted to sit in on their "how to make up the bill for the paying customer" session, but was banned.

Manhole covers and those large rectangular access hatch things, that are also put in strategic places... like "the apex of a corner"...