I cycle regularly in rain. The first thing I'll say is to get a visored helmet or some good eye wear to keep the rain out of your eyes. The second is mudguards/fenders. Then it's just about a decent jacket and boots/socks. I find I don't even need to bother with rainproof pants. Can't say it's preferable to dry, but it's certainly not an inconvenience if you're prepared for it.
Would say this covers for 99% of the rides, even for commutes, provided you can change clothing at work - and keep moving/short pauses to prevent cooling down too much, when wet conditions also make it cold.
I used to commute to for 22 miles a day, before Covid. All year round. This prepares you for all weathers, for sure! Mudguards, puncture resistant tyres, overshoes and a waterproof pannier bag to store a change of clothes was essential
I literally am about to do this length a day at the end of the month. I am new to cycling. How often do punctures happen? Am I expecting it monthly, 6 monthly? I've got no idea what to expect in this regard
In the UK that would be the same as not riding all winter. We haven't had rain for days now but the roads are still wet from very high humidity in the air, dew/condensation, and poor drainage.
Riding in the rain isn’t ideal but my best memories riding in a group are in rain/freak hailstorm. It makes it fun on a long, >50 miles, rides. Just adds to the “story” of long rides. Thanks!
Yes, happened with us few years ago. It was around 80 plus kilometer ride, started with a beautiful sunny afternoon near the Canadian Rockies and ended up with a nice thunderstorm and everyone of us were wet and shivering, looking for going back to the parking lot ASAP. Luckily we all had change of clothes and a coffee shop nearby. ✌🏾
Riding in Ireland, so learning to read the local rainfall radar has been a huge benefit. Don't trust the weather symbols! just look at the radar, look at the wind direction and you're golden.
Yes. Even as an amateur, I am more attuned to reading the radar and understanding the likely rainfall in my local area, than the verbiage that AI spits out. When I travel, not-so-much.
I actually like riding in the rain... there's something really nice about that fresh clean air and also wet nature looks really nice. What you do need is a good weather resistant clothing.
- Bung up the unused cleat-screw slots/holes in your shoe-soles with silicone. - Put a rain cover over your plastic hat. Maybe get a helmet with a magnetic visor that'll go on over it. - If you have to ride over a level crossing or anything else slippery make sure the bike is upright and stay in a straight line. - Don't use such piddling little lights, motorists have to see them through mucky, steamed-up windscreens so get something really in-your-face they can't miss. - And wear something easily visible, none of that head-to-toe black stuff even if your bike does look like a prawn cocktail on a bid for freedom. Why wear your own mourning? - If you use traditional brakes, check the rims for wear or use rims with tell-tales. Clean brake-blocks/pads after every ride. - Look after your chain.
My main issue with riding in the rain is that it gets sand and mud from the road very easily in all the gears, bearings and chain. That then is hard to remove for the next dry ride. That's what I hate most about it.
Wax your chain, dirt will barely stick to it. After a wet ride, suspend the chain in hot wax (I DIY-ed a frying basket of sorts). Dirt will just fall off.
A high quality set of mudguards (eg. Berthoud, Velo Orange, Honjo) and a mud flap eliminates this but not all bikes are suitable and fitting is a faff.
Properly rinse and dry your bike after every such ride. In late fall, winter and early spring, I advise against "drying" your bike in a damp cold shed (because there's no such thing), so I place mine inside on a simple stand at room temperature for at least 24 hrs so I'm sure there's no more water between the chain links
I recommend bringing a second neck gaiter in a bag to keep it dry. Makes a big difference putting on a warm, dry gaiter half way through your ride. And I also highly recommend riding in the rain, my favorite, give it a try!
I’ve only been watching GCN for the past few years, but as a resident of the arid Southern California, but winter always bring a series of content that is unrelatable 😅 - but it is eye opening on how passionate other cyclist around the world are.
I moved from Pacific Northwest to SoCal. I legitimately miss the rain and want more of it. Perhaps not downpours, but 20-40min rides in sprinkles is very pleasant.
If you have to ride through a puddle that may be hiding a pot hole, I tend to try and pick a line that car wheels don't regularly drive. Less likely to have a deep hole there. Slowing down helps too!
A good, breathable rain jacket helps soooo much. A low heat shoe dryer. If you put the shoes on before your ride, you start with toasty feet, and use it to dry them thoroughly after the ride of course.
All very good advice. One thing not mentioned is wheel and tire width. I moved over from a late 2000s Shimano Ultegra wheelset to HED Ardennes LT+ (since rebranded as the HED Ardennes RA Pro) and this meant internal rim width going up from just over 13mm to just over 21mm. On my late aughts rim brake Cannondale bike this required me to get new long reach brake calipers to fit the wheels (Shimano 105 5800 to replace the original Cannondale own brand part), but it was worth it because the cornering in two specific conditions -- wet, and dry/dusty -- improved so much. The generally more stable handling, better ride and reduction in tire pressure from 120psi to 80 were all nice too; with a 32-35mm set of tires you might be able to get it below 70psi though my Cannondale won't fit such wide tires; I pretty much have to keep things to a 25 in Michelin and 28 in other brands though I could possibly see sneaking a 30mm Continental in there. This will obviously not be a problem on newer bikes but it shows what's possible even on a fairly traditional rim brake bike.
My tip is to wear a plastic cover over your helmet, it will keep your head warmer and drier, it stops the cold wind and the rain going through the air vents in your helmet. I have a lumious yellow plastic cover over my helmet which also helps with visiblity. Also wear a cycling cap under your helmet so that the peak of the cap can deflect some rain.
Agree. I have started riding on 30+ degree weather and ended up riding in 10 degree weather during a thunderstorm. Rain does bring the temperature down FAST. You can end up hypothermic in a matter of minutes. Recommend that you seek and get under cover as quickly as possible.
Good advice here! I ride in the rain quite often, and totally agree that mudguards (fenders) are absolutely crucial. I would never even consider not having them on any road bike in winter. I also agree with the advice about overshoes; wet feet can be pretty miserable. This probably isn't necessary to mention since everyone has them on their road bikes now anyway, but disc brakes work a LOT better in the wet than rim brakes, especially if you have carbon wheels.
I ride an mtb, so I am used to muddy wet conditions. My tip. Wet or dry. I turn my front light on strobe every time I get to a road. Every little helps the car driver to see you.
Riding in the rain also means CLEAN YOUR BIKE when the ride is over. Leaving muck on wheels/drivetrain/frame will mean more costly maintenance later on. 😮
Love the video!! I find the thought of rain much worse than the reality. Had some great wet rides. Biggest thing for me is having a really breathable water-resistant jersey/jacket for changeable/damp/light rain, and a highly breathable packable rain jacket if it gets heavy. Much better than cheap jackets that don’t breathe!!
I just like cycling in the rain. It's harder to go out when it's already raining but if it starts later then it's more bearable. But I'm a bad example I also like to run in the rain.
Really useful video Manon and no excuses for not riding in all weather now. You covered them but neoprene boot covers and mudguards are my essentials. Wet feet and arse are miserable.
"Get yourself an Ass Saver, maybe even a GCN one...this will protect the spray from your backside." Sounds like sound advice to Discovery+, right there. Maybe get a GCN addition to add to your lineup to protect your backside from the negative spray you'll be getting coming December 19. Watching until the very end.
My two tips for wet weather riding supplemental to what Manon said: 1 never ride through a puddle where you can't see the road below the water surface. It can easily be hiding a pothole, especially if the water is murky. And of course if you do see a pothole, avoid it. 2. watch out for road repairs where there is exposed tar at the join (overbanding as it is called). That stuff is slippier than white lines. Bonus tip: Ass-Savers are, in my experience, a waste of time. They have to be very well aligned to protect you, which means they mustn't move, and they don't protect riders behind you.
Rode my Trek Domane SL6 w/Schwalbe Pro One All Around tires (700X35mm) on Nov. 2nd of this year in snowy and 25 degrees f in Yellowstone Nat. Pk. Wore a Castelli Marino LS base layer, a med weight Pearl Izumi jacket and a water proof rain jacket over all those. Also a packable REI rain pants and Fizik Gore Tex boots w/PI water proof over boot covers. Stayed nice and dry with no inter-jacket condensation the whole 40+ miles that we rode that day. Winter riding .
I have no issue wet weather riding when I am fully prepared. As long as the wind isn't too strong, they can be enjoyable. I also wear a casquette peak down over my glasses which helps keep the worst of the rain from blocking my view.
Ass savers are great. Nice and light and very easy to take on and off. Also much lighter than full on mud guards. Portland Design Works makes a nice clip on guard for the down tube. Again easy to take on and off and much lighter. I actually cut my PDW front guard down to be a bit narrower. Both of these are made of thin but durable plastic, and can easily slip in to a small frame bag. Shoe covers do work, but I rode many very long wet days in Scotland with Endura's waterproof socks (Showers Pass make some too). They actually work and are nice and warm for really cold rainy days. Light neoprene kayaking gloves for long, wet cold days are a Godsend. Get the ones with the fingers already pre-curved. They also work for kayaking - of course.
I use an ass-saver on the down tube of my gravel bike, to keep some dirt and dust off my water bottle. You may need a hole punch and zip ties to modify/fasten it.
I love riding in the rain! As long as it's a warmish rain. Rain jacket, cycling cap, quick-drying shorts, and sandals that won't get waterlogged (I ride with pedal straps rather than clipless), and I'm good to go. Cold rain isn't as fun, but, you know, I've still gotta get groceries. The only weather I don't have a solution for is hail... Luckily hail usually passes in 15 minutes or so.
Since I commute by bike, I've often GOT to ride in the rain. I've got a good waterproof rain jacket from Chrome Industries. I also wear waterproof shoe covers and thick, winter cycling gloves.
Such a helpful & delightfully entertaining video Manon! Love this content! The CanBike safety instructor is screaming "YES, YES, YES!" to avoiding hidden puddle/ pothole dangers, grates, white lines (road snakes too, those tar repair lines), and LIGHTS for daytime use too. I have totally converted to fenders/ mudguards for my adventures and I love 'partypace' so rain rides are chill too. Speaking of which, the only bit I would add is good (unfortunately expensive, but worth it) rain kit. Jacket/pants for commuting. Love the humour in your videos and love that I now know the Welsh for rainbow! I had to chuckle when you used 'eh?' Did Maghalie have an influence? We'll make you an honourary Canadian yet! Although I don't usually watch the Tech channel, I'll head on over and see if Alex has any fender tips. Please keep making these awesome videos!
Thanks Manon, some good tips. Let me add a few from recent experience. In the autumn, trees shead leaves and also their fruit/seeds. Recently I came on a sharp bend under a beech tree. Fresh beech mast is like marbles. Wet white line have nothing on fresh beech mast. Also in autumn the wind blows. In a strong cross wind, passing a gap in the hedge can tend to throw you across the road, particularly with those nice deep section rims. Also the wind brings down bits of tree and, of course, all those leaves. Bits of branch, say an inch in diameter, can hide in those leaves and act like mini and mobile train lines and easily have you over. Cross over the grass in the middle of the little lane and fall on the ridge just to avoid that pot hole (I nearly did that in summer to avoid the brambles). As a point of information, those steel plates you call drains are actually access hole covers (manhole covers). The drains have slots in them to let the water down and they, the drain covers that is, can have even more issues depending on the orientation of the slits. Connected to this issue is a wet cattle grid, ride across at your peril because they have all the aforementioned problems and come with a broken ankle if you have to put your foot down suddenly. The by-pass route for horses/ walkers is to be preferred. Call me a "Karren" if you like but unnecessary injuries can really ruin your ride programme so better safe than sorry. Nice video, Manon, and good to see that you have got over your prejudice against useful "Gubbins".
Just rode through France during Chestnut season. Chestnuts are probably worse than beech. They always seem to fall preferentially on sharp corners on descents too.
I love going out in the rain, cold or snow for a run, ride or hike, maybe not as much as a sunny day but I love it nonetheless. Life is about experiences and if you're prepared for the weather, you can get some incredible experiences you'd have not if you'd stayed home and been in your phone.
I'm quite picky as for the weather so on my rides it rarely rains and when it does it is usually showers. If there's a place to hide I hide and wait. When it's warm there's a high chance that I just ride through it without putting any rain protection on. I rode maybe over 6000 km in high mountains and it rained only about 5x and it was nearly always a shower (soaking wet only 2x). As for winter rides, conditions are often humid. Clothing with basic water protection is a must. Temperatures are lower and keeping your hands and feet dry and warm is absolutely essential. So my number one rule is try to keep your hands and feet dry and warm especially when it's cold.
I am one of those mad creatures who love riding in the rain, I enjoy the challenge on slippery surfaces and I am sure do it increases your bike handing and reaction times.
Replacement dry suit rubber cuffs upside down on your ankles and over the tops of your boots. Stops the water getting in there. About a tenner off ebay
Just happy I invested in an indoor smart trainer for winter times. Happily sipping coffee in a warm and cozy room while I let others convince themselves riding outside in the cold makes them stronger.
Hard pass for me. I'm firmly in the fair weather camp. All the gear and the bike, even though they are waterproof, just costs too much for the accelerated wear and tear from foul weather riding. Plus those painted lines on the road have already left their mark on my left hip and elbow... LOL!! Great video though and best of luck to all of you hard-core riders out there!!
Not sure if anyone will read my question on a 1 yr old post, but I will give it a shot: what do you recommend for a rain visor/hat for either over or under a helmet? I wear glasses. They get spotty in rain. The visor I have on my bike hat helps a bit. Wondering if there is a better solution
Got a Dutch bike recently, all bolts and bare metal covered by plastic. Best thing is drum brakes tho, I remember trying steel rim brakes and having 0 stopping power.
I got caught in a 1h rain last weekend @55*F, I did have a helmet cover and cape that did wonders but my full fingered gloves and aero shoe covers failed after @20 minutes. Water seems to go down my calf into the shoe so I will use a tighter neoprene shoe cover next time....still not sure on gloves for rain proofness. I find if I could keep head/torso, feet and hands comfortable, the lower body is fine with cold & wet.
@@t.w.5282 I made a trip to REI & did some shopping. So, in the kayak section I picked up some 0.5mm neoprene socks that go about as high as my booties. Cold dry ride in 40’s today & first time I can say my feet have EVER been hot. No other socks just wore these in my Castilli booties. Second, I bought GoreTex over mitts which I’ll use next cold rain. Those neoprene socks work so well by themselves I’m going to get a couple more pairs!
Never been a fan of riding in the rain. On bike tours, I am prepared for wet weather (helmet cover, rain jacket, layers, tights, gloves, put my glasses in my handlebar bag, rain covers for the HB bag and panniers), and continue riding but will sometimes hide out, under an available canopy if available, for a while. Or find lodging earlier than planned. Since I need to wear glasses, rain is a hassle with those.
Cycling in the rain sucks when it's less then 15 °c. Did a cyclo ride 200K starting off with about 30 others last month, it rained almost constantly (mild to intense) and only 5 to 10 °c. Had three pair of gloves with me, covered with thin plastic ones (as used by veterinarians to check up cows) , an extra t shirt, thin sweater and socks. Halfway through changed upper clothes, totally wet even with a rather thick rain jacket with a fixed cap on it. Gloves also got totally wet inside, as my shoes even with water proof over shoes. The new socks remained dry for quite a long time as i had plastic bags to put my feet in. So made it in 9 hours. And if one has a gravel bike it's better to take that one as having a puncture when it's wet and cold is really annoying.
A point about phones -- touchscreens (at least on my Samsung A33) are prone to ghost calling or dialling 999 if they get "moist" from rain or bumping about in a sweaty jersey pocket. They'll also lock up due to "too many unlock attempts." Sandwich bags don't eliminate that problem. And as far as I can find, Samsung doesn''t allow you to turn off the emergency call setting due to legal reasons. (Apple iPhones may be different) My solution was to buy a Rapha Essentials Pouch (other pouches are available), which is waterproof enough to stop the screen from activating. If you ride in the rain or hot and humid conditions (Southeast Asia), a phone pouch makes a big difference. And you've got somewhere safe to put your keys, money and/or cards. Cheers
I can't fit mudguards on my bike - but found by accident that installing a pannier rack on the back does exactly the same job - in fact - I can't remember last time I had a wet bum!!
"It hasn't been that bad because it's for work." Haha. All joking aside. Thank you for making a video on this topic, and sharing tips and knowledge with everyone about riding in the rain.
My tip would be to always carry a plastic bag tucked in a corner somewhere that's big enough to cover your saddle. That's to avoid a wet bum when, for some reason, your bike gets rained on without you. Yes, it makes your seat more slippery, but that can be a good thing when you need, for some reason, to put your feet down if you start sliding on the wet surface or come up to a rain-related obstacle and have to stop suddenly. Just be sure to take it off once you get home to let your saddle dry. No one likes a squishy seat!
Get a decent city/commuter bike with proper mudguard that you can also use for a short training ride. That will also likely have a bit grippier tires and you don't care so much about dirt in the drivetrain. Get a water proof cell phone. I did greenland roll training in the kayak (with lots of exits unter water), having forgotten my cell phone: No problem.
Great advice there and all good stuff. Can someone though, please explain why so many cyclists prefer to wear black when cycling. Is it because they are desperate to be 'ninja invisible', or is it because they think dayglo or bright colours are not cool? A light is great, but a light AND a dayglo jacket are even better! I personally prefer the motto "Be seen and be avoided" to the less desirable "Black is good for funerals!"
I slipped under the rain a week ago, been struggling with an infected rash in my thigh and some sore muscles but finally managed to get up and ride again. Rain sucks but what sucks more is slipping when it is raining. Always use proper rain tyres and don't ride in a rush.
I would add….bright clothing and old or cheapish audax bike with full fitted mudguards and either slime tubes and fairly puncture resistant tyres or really both. I got a kinesis frame with 15 year old campag groupset and wheels. Out on it today and went past a farmer trimming hedgerow. Held my breath as i rode over the thorns and sticks in the road but lived to fight another day. Rim brakes…. Not ideal, just need to brake earlier
I hate the feeling (and noise!) of rain pants and shoe covers, but if you're biking for more than an hour they'll keep your lower half nice and dry. For the top half, its touch and go with waterproofed items, they can be super plasticky and staticky, so sometimes its better to just get rained on. For safety reasons and comfort reasons, a decent pair of waterproofed gloves will keep your hands comfortable and capable on the handlebars--otherwise make sure your bar tape is . One of the biggest things when riding in the wet is to remember to wipe your bike down when you're finally home.
Since a ride in the rain resulted in a broken collar-bone I avoid rain, as the risk of a crash and the currently constant fear reduces the joy of a ride I avoid riding in the rain. Low temperatures are no problem to me, as I have the right equipement/clothes, but a wet surface i currently a no-go.
Wear a cap under your helmet. It prevents rain (and with rain hairgel and sweat) from getting in your eyes and on your glasses. For me it makes all the difference. And wear something visible. Compared to cars we are a bit fragile.
I'm broadly like the Wicked Witch of the West with my aversion to riding in the rain, however if I have to, I've found the gravel bike is a lot less sketchy on Australian roads in the wet. Because I'm Australian, I don't have mud guards 🤣 Because most of our wet weather is in the summer, it's quite hard to layer properly, as you'll be as wet with a gillet or rain jacket, as if you hadn't put one on. And of course, the post ride clean is a bit miserable.
It's a funny one but I've been caught out in some horrible storms in Summer and you have to get home so you suck it up, in Winter you look out, see drizzle and it's "nope, not today". Also, similar to keeping your phone dry, ensure your home alarm key fob keeps dry. £100 for a replacement the time I didn't. How Mrs S laughed (not).
The last time I intentionally rode in the rain, in March, I got showered by hail, which packed in my helmet, and I got a bad case of hypothermia. No thanks. Although, by all means, keep up these masters of the obvious video tips!
I find my gravel bike collects a lot less water than my road bike off the tyres so can stay much drier. And slow down, avoid puddles and go the longer way home to avoid any busy roads
To dry your shoes for the next ride, stuff them with crumpled up newspaper. It'll get them dry by morning and you won't risk hurting them with heaters.
Phones are waterproof but not vapor/air proof. The worst thing is to have your phone in a pocket in the wet. Your body heat makes it all steamy in the pocket and that water filled air gets into the phone and ruins it. And your warranty won't cover it. Ask me how I know...
This is what I love most about riding a velomobile. I stay warm In the cold and dry in the rain. No need for mudguards or fancy raincoats. None of my gear gets dirty. I ride year-round in all weather. I don’t even use my bike trainer anymore because I just ride outside every day.
@@gcn already watched it twice. Hardly a fair race though, with the moped limited to 30mph. Would have been fun to see speed and power data from the Streamliner riders. A streamliner May not be very practical for daily riding like a velomobile, but it sure is fast.
I got caught out lol. No problem.took a coffe break lol. Dried up in 17 degrees weather after it stopped. Pretty cool 100km ride . The hardning of a cyclist 🍺🚲🍺❤
Mud guards are brilliant and if your bike has mounts for full length mud guards you, and more or less all of your bike, will benefit enormously by not getting covered in road spray, mud, muck and road kill.
"Raining cats and donkeys"? What, not cats and dogs? 😮 Special rain in Bath, maybe! 😊 Nice vid- my solution is to move to gravel/mtb/cx over winter, then you're moving slower on a grippier (?!! 🤔) surface- certainly softer when you deck it! 😜
My tip - Ride on small ring only. Keeps speed down and cadence high, and more importantly, you’ll be riding slower over the slippy slidey roads that UK is proud of.
What are your tips for riding in the rain? ☔
Use mudguard make sure the non waterproof items do not get wet!!!
Ride with mates on a Audax to cheer you up
take the car
I put the clear lenses into my cycling glasses as they keep the rain out of my eyes so I have clear vision.
Wear enough clothes+some sort of rain coat. If it's really bad go for a run instead.
I cycle regularly in rain. The first thing I'll say is to get a visored helmet or some good eye wear to keep the rain out of your eyes. The second is mudguards/fenders. Then it's just about a decent jacket and boots/socks. I find I don't even need to bother with rainproof pants.
Can't say it's preferable to dry, but it's certainly not an inconvenience if you're prepared for it.
Would say this covers for 99% of the rides, even for commutes, provided you can change clothing at work - and keep moving/short pauses to prevent cooling down too much, when wet conditions also make it cold.
I used to commute to for 22 miles a day, before Covid. All year round. This prepares you for all weathers, for sure! Mudguards, puncture resistant tyres, overshoes and a waterproof pannier bag to store a change of clothes was essential
Breathable waterproofs too,
I can't abide a bike without mudguards
And maybe front and rear lights as it tends to get dark when it rains.
I literally am about to do this length a day at the end of the month. I am new to cycling. How often do punctures happen? Am I expecting it monthly, 6 monthly?
I've got no idea what to expect in this regard
@@damo_cbe careful what you ride over. It’s just best to keep a repair kit on or have puncture resistant tires to be prepared
@@damo_c slime tubes if you don't want to go fully tubeless 👍
My tip for riding in the rain is to wait for it to stop before riding and let the roads dry out.
Scientists call this „NOT riding in the rain“
@@martindirkzimmer😂
In the UK that would be the same as not riding all winter. We haven't had rain for days now but the roads are still wet from very high humidity in the air, dew/condensation, and poor drainage.
Indoor training? 👀
I took up cycling recently and was beautifully naive that the cost of an entry level bike would be my only major spend. So sweet.
Riding in the rain isn’t ideal but my best memories riding in a group are in rain/freak hailstorm. It makes it fun on a long, >50 miles, rides. Just adds to the “story” of long rides. Thanks!
Yes, happened with us few years ago. It was around 80 plus kilometer ride, started with a beautiful sunny afternoon near the Canadian Rockies and ended up with a nice thunderstorm and everyone of us were wet and shivering, looking for going back to the parking lot ASAP. Luckily we all had change of clothes and a coffee shop nearby. ✌🏾
Hahahaha each to their own... we prefer out long rides nice and dry 😂 You're right though, it's all part of the journey 🙌
@@gcn has Manon broken a lot of hearts in her time?
Riding in Ireland, so learning to read the local rainfall radar has been a huge benefit. Don't trust the weather symbols! just look at the radar, look at the wind direction and you're golden.
Interesting! What a great skill to have 🙌
Yes. Even as an amateur, I am more attuned to reading the radar and understanding the likely rainfall in my local area, than the verbiage that AI spits out. When I travel, not-so-much.
How do you do it, im from Ireland too
Agreed! I use the weather app “Windy” for the radar updates. It helps a lot for me.
This also works well in The Netherlands 😃!
I actually enjoying walking in winter but cycling moves to indoors. Respect to those of you who brave it
I feel the same most of the time, walking in the bad weather doesn't feel as bad as ploughing through it at 20km/h+
Indoor cycling a blessing! 🙌 Systems like Zwift just make it that bit more enjoyable
Studded tires are the reason I can ride in winter. Without those it's miserable. They are kinda expensive but worth every penny.
@@gcn shamefully I have a peleton, I'm going to covert it to swift!
@@cruachan1191 100%, it's easy to wrap up, I do 10 miles a day with my dog out in the hills, and never feel cold or wet!
I actually like riding in the rain... there's something really nice about that fresh clean air and also wet nature looks really nice. What you do need is a good weather resistant clothing.
I moved from Seattle to Phoenix, that helped a lot
- Bung up the unused cleat-screw slots/holes in your shoe-soles with silicone.
- Put a rain cover over your plastic hat. Maybe get a helmet with a magnetic visor that'll go on over it.
- If you have to ride over a level crossing or anything else slippery make sure the bike is upright and stay in a straight line.
- Don't use such piddling little lights, motorists have to see them through mucky, steamed-up windscreens so get something really in-your-face they can't miss.
- And wear something easily visible, none of that head-to-toe black stuff even if your bike does look like a prawn cocktail on a bid for freedom. Why wear your own mourning?
- If you use traditional brakes, check the rims for wear or use rims with tell-tales. Clean brake-blocks/pads after every ride.
- Look after your chain.
they arent great role models wearing this full black gear with a dim light
My main issue with riding in the rain is that it gets sand and mud from the road very easily in all the gears, bearings and chain. That then is hard to remove for the next dry ride. That's what I hate most about it.
Wax your chain, dirt will barely stick to it. After a wet ride, suspend the chain in hot wax (I DIY-ed a frying basket of sorts). Dirt will just fall off.
A high quality set of mudguards (eg. Berthoud, Velo Orange, Honjo) and a mud flap eliminates this but not all bikes are suitable and fitting is a faff.
Properly rinse and dry your bike after every such ride. In late fall, winter and early spring, I advise against "drying" your bike in a damp cold shed (because there's no such thing), so I place mine inside on a simple stand at room temperature for at least 24 hrs so I'm sure there's no more water between the chain links
I recommend bringing a second neck gaiter in a bag to keep it dry. Makes a big difference putting on a warm, dry gaiter half way through your ride. And I also highly recommend riding in the rain, my favorite, give it a try!
I’ve only been watching GCN for the past few years, but as a resident of the arid Southern California, but winter always bring a series of content that is unrelatable 😅 - but it is eye opening on how passionate other cyclist around the world are.
I moved from Pacific Northwest to SoCal.
I legitimately miss the rain and want more of it. Perhaps not downpours, but 20-40min rides in sprinkles is very pleasant.
Minnesotan here, I regularly see people riding in 0 to -30 degree temps in the winter. I might have to join that group soon for a 4mi commute.
If you have to ride through a puddle that may be hiding a pot hole, I tend to try and pick a line that car wheels don't regularly drive. Less likely to have a deep hole there. Slowing down helps too!
A good, breathable rain jacket helps soooo much.
A low heat shoe dryer. If you put the shoes on before your ride, you start with toasty feet, and use it to dry them thoroughly after the ride of course.
All very good advice. One thing not mentioned is wheel and tire width. I moved over from a late 2000s Shimano Ultegra wheelset to HED Ardennes LT+ (since rebranded as the HED Ardennes RA Pro) and this meant internal rim width going up from just over 13mm to just over 21mm. On my late aughts rim brake Cannondale bike this required me to get new long reach brake calipers to fit the wheels (Shimano 105 5800 to replace the original Cannondale own brand part), but it was worth it because the cornering in two specific conditions -- wet, and dry/dusty -- improved so much. The generally more stable handling, better ride and reduction in tire pressure from 120psi to 80 were all nice too; with a 32-35mm set of tires you might be able to get it below 70psi though my Cannondale won't fit such wide tires; I pretty much have to keep things to a 25 in Michelin and 28 in other brands though I could possibly see sneaking a 30mm Continental in there. This will obviously not be a problem on newer bikes but it shows what's possible even on a fairly traditional rim brake bike.
My tip is to wear a plastic cover over your helmet, it will keep your head warmer and drier, it stops the cold wind and the rain going through the air vents in your helmet. I have a lumious yellow plastic cover over my helmet which also helps with visiblity.
Also wear a cycling cap under your helmet so that the peak of the cap can deflect some rain.
Rain is never really an issue. It's the cold (which will also be amplified if it happens to also be raining)
Agree. I have started riding on 30+ degree weather and ended up riding in 10 degree weather during a thunderstorm. Rain does bring the temperature down FAST. You can end up hypothermic in a matter of minutes. Recommend that you seek and get under cover as quickly as possible.
Cold and wet... no thankyou! 👀
@@gcnthat special “damp cold” we get in the UK winter, that is so much worse than any Canadian winter 😅
Hi Viz clothing is something you should be promoting. Bright yellow with reflective stripes. Even in the summer but especially on dull days.
Good advice here! I ride in the rain quite often, and totally agree that mudguards (fenders) are absolutely crucial. I would never even consider not having them on any road bike in winter. I also agree with the advice about overshoes; wet feet can be pretty miserable.
This probably isn't necessary to mention since everyone has them on their road bikes now anyway, but disc brakes work a LOT better in the wet than rim brakes, especially if you have carbon wheels.
If you're a real cyclist, a crash means, "how's my bike?" Rain storm means, "oh no, my bike."
Yeah.. living in California means you almost always have good days throughout the week to ride. Not worth gumming up your bike on a rain day.
Well in the poor weather I opted to buy a gravel bike . Absolutely love it . Very comfortable .
My road bike is race ready lol.
If you ride fixed gear you will look forward to riding in the rain. The loss of traction on the rear wheel makes for more fun in the wet.
I ride an mtb, so I am used to muddy wet conditions. My tip. Wet or dry. I turn my front light on strobe every time I get to a road. Every little helps the car driver to see you.
I have enjoyed this in summer months, when its colder though, its a sufferfest and that's why I set up indoor training stuff! :)
Rain and cold is a pretty horrible mix 👀
She forgot to mention decent-length 'mudflaps' should be attached to muguards.😊
Riding in the rain also means CLEAN YOUR BIKE when the ride is over. Leaving muck on wheels/drivetrain/frame will mean more costly maintenance later on. 😮
Love the video!!
I find the thought of rain much worse than the reality. Had some great wet rides.
Biggest thing for me is having a really breathable water-resistant jersey/jacket for changeable/damp/light rain, and a highly breathable packable rain jacket if it gets heavy.
Much better than cheap jackets that don’t breathe!!
It's always worse than you initially think - getting out in in osme good waterproofing should do the job nicely
I just like cycling in the rain. It's harder to go out when it's already raining but if it starts later then it's more bearable. But I'm a bad example I also like to run in the rain.
Really useful video Manon and no excuses for not riding in all weather now. You covered them but neoprene boot covers and mudguards are my essentials. Wet feet and arse are miserable.
Speak for yourself. Some of us don't have disposable income to spend on extra gear.
Neoprene for cold days, rubber for wet days.
@@johndoiron9615 wiggle’s boot covers were cheap and mudguards are super cheap.
@@bikeman123Money
"Get yourself an Ass Saver, maybe even a GCN one...this will protect the spray from your backside."
Sounds like sound advice to Discovery+, right there. Maybe get a GCN addition to add to your lineup to protect your backside from the negative spray you'll be getting coming December 19. Watching until the very end.
My two tips for wet weather riding supplemental to what Manon said:
1 never ride through a puddle where you can't see the road below the water surface. It can easily be hiding a pothole, especially if the water is murky. And of course if you do see a pothole, avoid it.
2. watch out for road repairs where there is exposed tar at the join (overbanding as it is called). That stuff is slippier than white lines.
Bonus tip: Ass-Savers are, in my experience, a waste of time. They have to be very well aligned to protect you, which means they mustn't move, and they don't protect riders behind you.
Loved the tips O Queen of the Welsh Dragons. All of a sudden mudguards are cool??? Felix's vid is quite good btw.
Rode my Trek Domane SL6 w/Schwalbe Pro One All Around tires (700X35mm) on Nov. 2nd of this year in snowy and 25 degrees f in Yellowstone Nat. Pk. Wore a Castelli Marino LS base layer, a med weight Pearl Izumi jacket and a water proof rain jacket over all those. Also a packable REI rain pants and Fizik Gore Tex boots w/PI water proof over boot covers. Stayed nice and dry with no inter-jacket condensation the whole 40+ miles that we rode that day. Winter riding .
I have no issue wet weather riding when I am fully prepared. As long as the wind isn't too strong, they can be enjoyable. I also wear a casquette peak down over my glasses which helps keep the worst of the rain from blocking my view.
Ass savers are great. Nice and light and very easy to take on and off. Also much lighter than full on mud guards. Portland Design Works makes a nice clip on guard for the down tube. Again easy to take on and off and much lighter. I actually cut my PDW front guard down to be a bit narrower. Both of these are made of thin but durable plastic, and can easily slip in to a small frame bag. Shoe covers do work, but I rode many very long wet days in Scotland with Endura's waterproof socks (Showers Pass make some too). They actually work and are nice and warm for really cold rainy days. Light neoprene kayaking gloves for long, wet cold days are a Godsend. Get the ones with the fingers already pre-curved. They also work for kayaking - of course.
I use an ass-saver on the down tube of my gravel bike, to keep some dirt and dust off my water bottle. You may need a hole punch and zip ties to modify/fasten it.
I love riding in the rain! As long as it's a warmish rain. Rain jacket, cycling cap, quick-drying shorts, and sandals that won't get waterlogged (I ride with pedal straps rather than clipless), and I'm good to go. Cold rain isn't as fun, but, you know, I've still gotta get groceries. The only weather I don't have a solution for is hail... Luckily hail usually passes in 15 minutes or so.
Since I commute by bike, I've often GOT to ride in the rain. I've got a good waterproof rain jacket from Chrome Industries. I also wear waterproof shoe covers and thick, winter cycling gloves.
Such a helpful & delightfully entertaining video Manon! Love this content! The CanBike safety instructor is screaming "YES, YES, YES!" to avoiding hidden puddle/ pothole dangers, grates, white lines (road snakes too, those tar repair lines), and LIGHTS for daytime use too. I have totally converted to fenders/ mudguards for my adventures and I love 'partypace' so rain rides are chill too. Speaking of which, the only bit I would add is good (unfortunately expensive, but worth it) rain kit. Jacket/pants for commuting. Love the humour in your videos and love that I now know the Welsh for rainbow! I had to chuckle when you used 'eh?' Did Maghalie have an influence? We'll make you an honourary Canadian yet! Although I don't usually watch the Tech channel, I'll head on over and see if Alex has any fender tips. Please keep making these awesome videos!
Thanks Manon, some good tips.
Let me add a few from recent experience. In the autumn, trees shead leaves and also their fruit/seeds. Recently I came on a sharp bend under a beech tree. Fresh beech mast is like marbles. Wet white line have nothing on fresh beech mast. Also in autumn the wind blows. In a strong cross wind, passing a gap in the hedge can tend to throw you across the road, particularly with those nice deep section rims. Also the wind brings down bits of tree and, of course, all those leaves. Bits of branch, say an inch in diameter, can hide in those leaves and act like mini and mobile train lines and easily have you over.
Cross over the grass in the middle of the little lane and fall on the ridge just to avoid that pot hole (I nearly did that in summer to avoid the brambles).
As a point of information, those steel plates you call drains are actually access hole covers (manhole covers). The drains have slots in them to let the water down and they, the drain covers that is, can have even more issues depending on the orientation of the slits. Connected to this issue is a wet cattle grid, ride across at your peril because they have all the aforementioned problems and come with a broken ankle if you have to put your foot down suddenly. The by-pass route for horses/ walkers is to be preferred.
Call me a "Karren" if you like but unnecessary injuries can really ruin your ride programme so better safe than sorry.
Nice video, Manon, and good to see that you have got over your prejudice against useful "Gubbins".
Just rode through France during Chestnut season. Chestnuts are probably worse than beech. They always seem to fall preferentially on sharp corners on descents too.
I love going out in the rain, cold or snow for a run, ride or hike, maybe not as much as a sunny day but I love it nonetheless. Life is about experiences and if you're prepared for the weather, you can get some incredible experiences you'd have not if you'd stayed home and been in your phone.
I'm quite picky as for the weather so on my rides it rarely rains and when it does it is usually showers. If there's a place to hide I hide and wait. When it's warm there's a high chance that I just ride through it without putting any rain protection on. I rode maybe over 6000 km in high mountains and it rained only about 5x and it was nearly always a shower (soaking wet only 2x). As for winter rides, conditions are often humid. Clothing with basic water protection is a must. Temperatures are lower and keeping your hands and feet dry and warm is absolutely essential. So my number one rule is try to keep your hands and feet dry and warm especially when it's cold.
For the shoes part, I just wear Crocs in wet days. Easy washable after you got home.
Very useful info. I must get out on my road bike more this winter instead of being too scared to get it dirty!
Go for it! What sort of distance will you be riding?
I am one of those mad creatures who love riding in the rain, I enjoy the challenge on slippery surfaces and I am sure do it increases your bike handing and reaction times.
That's quite a dangerous challenge 😬, not sure we'd put a beginner rider up to that challenge!
Replacement dry suit rubber cuffs upside down on your ankles and over the tops of your boots. Stops the water getting in there. About a tenner off ebay
Everything's better with Manon.
Love to ride when it's wet 💯👍
Just happy I invested in an indoor smart trainer for winter times. Happily sipping coffee in a warm and cozy room while I let others convince themselves riding outside in the cold makes them stronger.
Indoor trainers are a great alternative, will you be doing Zwift academy?
Thanks Manon, awesome video.
Hard pass for me. I'm firmly in the fair weather camp. All the gear and the bike, even though they are waterproof, just costs too much for the accelerated wear and tear from foul weather riding. Plus those painted lines on the road have already left their mark on my left hip and elbow... LOL!! Great video though and best of luck to all of you hard-core riders out there!!
Winter rain riding is a headset distroyer good full front mudguard essential protecting you & your bike from dirt/grit & salt
Not sure if anyone will read my question on a 1 yr old post, but I will give it a shot: what do you recommend for a rain visor/hat for either over or under a helmet? I wear glasses. They get spotty in rain. The visor I have on my bike hat helps a bit. Wondering if there is a better solution
Nice green screen rainbow. Really subtle.
Got a Dutch bike recently, all bolts and bare metal covered by plastic. Best thing is drum brakes tho, I remember trying steel rim brakes and having 0 stopping power.
I got caught in a 1h rain last weekend @55*F, I did have a helmet cover and cape that did wonders but my full fingered gloves and aero shoe covers failed after @20 minutes. Water seems to go down my calf into the shoe so I will use a tighter neoprene shoe cover next time....still not sure on gloves for rain proofness. I find if I could keep head/torso, feet and hands comfortable, the lower body is fine with cold & wet.
Maybe some medical gloves can be useful. (Under the wet ones.)
@@t.w.5282 I think some SCUBA gloves might work too.
@@t.w.5282 I made a trip to REI & did some shopping. So, in the kayak section I picked up some 0.5mm neoprene socks that go about as high as my booties. Cold dry ride in 40’s today & first time I can say my feet have EVER been hot. No other socks just wore these in my Castilli booties. Second, I bought GoreTex over mitts which I’ll use next cold rain. Those neoprene socks work so well by themselves I’m going to get a couple more pairs!
That rainjacket looks really good on Manon.
Never been a fan of riding in the rain. On bike tours, I am prepared for wet weather (helmet cover, rain jacket, layers, tights, gloves, put my glasses in my handlebar bag, rain covers for the HB bag and panniers), and continue riding but will sometimes hide out, under an available canopy if available, for a while. Or find lodging earlier than planned. Since I need to wear glasses, rain is a hassle with those.
Cycling in the rain sucks when it's less then 15 °c.
Did a cyclo ride 200K starting off with about 30 others last month, it rained almost constantly (mild to intense) and only 5 to 10 °c.
Had three pair of gloves with me, covered with thin plastic ones (as used by veterinarians to check up cows) , an extra t shirt, thin sweater and socks.
Halfway through changed upper clothes, totally wet even with a rather thick rain jacket with a fixed cap on it. Gloves also got totally wet inside, as my shoes
even with water proof over shoes. The new socks remained dry for quite a long time as i had plastic bags to put my feet in. So made it in 9 hours.
And if one has a gravel bike it's better to take that one as having a puncture when it's wet and cold is really annoying.
A point about phones -- touchscreens (at least on my Samsung A33) are prone to ghost calling or dialling 999 if they get "moist" from rain or bumping about in a sweaty jersey pocket. They'll also lock up due to "too many unlock attempts."
Sandwich bags don't eliminate that problem. And as far as I can find, Samsung doesn''t allow you to turn off the emergency call setting due to legal reasons. (Apple iPhones may be different)
My solution was to buy a Rapha Essentials Pouch (other pouches are available), which is waterproof enough to stop the screen from activating.
If you ride in the rain or hot and humid conditions (Southeast Asia), a phone pouch makes a big difference. And you've got somewhere safe to put your keys, money and/or cards.
Cheers
I can't fit mudguards on my bike - but found by accident that installing a pannier rack on the back does exactly the same job - in fact - I can't remember last time I had a wet bum!!
"It hasn't been that bad because it's for work." Haha.
All joking aside. Thank you for making a video on this topic, and sharing tips and knowledge with everyone about riding in the rain.
Riding in the rain can be a good experience but you have to be kitted out. Great advice and tips in the video, thanks a lot and keep safe 😊
enjoying rain is easy - just ride at -13° with 20cm snow around and as soon as its warm enough to rain you´ll love it :p
My tip would be to always carry a plastic bag tucked in a corner somewhere that's big enough to cover your saddle. That's to avoid a wet bum when, for some reason, your bike gets rained on without you. Yes, it makes your seat more slippery, but that can be a good thing when you need, for some reason, to put your feet down if you start sliding on the wet surface or come up to a rain-related obstacle and have to stop suddenly. Just be sure to take it off once you get home to let your saddle dry. No one likes a squishy seat!
Here in Cornwall our potholes occasionally have some road in between
Get a decent city/commuter bike with proper mudguard that you can also use for a short training ride. That will also likely have a bit grippier tires and you don't care so much about dirt in the drivetrain. Get a water proof cell phone. I did greenland roll training in the kayak (with lots of exits unter water), having forgotten my cell phone: No problem.
Love when you say ride in the summer in the glorious sun rain all the time uk lol😅
Oh! An 'Arse Saver' !! I was googling 'Ar Sabre' until I rewound !
Hmm sounds like I need some mudguards for Christmas, hopefully I'm on Santa's good list? 😂
Manon in a wet top, yes please. 😊
Great advice there and all good stuff.
Can someone though, please explain why so many cyclists prefer to wear black when cycling.
Is it because they are desperate to be 'ninja invisible', or is it because they think dayglo or bright colours are not cool?
A light is great, but a light AND a dayglo jacket are even better!
I personally prefer the motto "Be seen and be avoided" to the less desirable "Black is good for funerals!"
I slipped under the rain a week ago, been struggling with an infected rash in my thigh and some sore muscles but finally managed to get up and ride again. Rain sucks but what sucks more is slipping when it is raining. Always use proper rain tyres and don't ride in a rush.
I'm over here doing 45 kmh with no hands in the rain 😂
If you wear glasses, and can't wear contact lenses. Cycling in the rain really isn't an option.
YES!
It can be a real struggle 👀 Have you tried using a cap to keep the spray away ?
Visored helmet makes it work - not too pricey to get a polycarbonate one
@@luciustarquiniuspriscus1408 they do not, but I've found i can wipe the rain away easily enough at stoplights.
Your advice on rust protection please. Steel Frames of course!
I would add….bright clothing and old or cheapish audax bike with full fitted mudguards and either slime tubes and fairly puncture resistant tyres or really both. I got a kinesis frame with 15 year old campag groupset and wheels. Out on it today and went past a farmer trimming hedgerow. Held my breath as i rode over the thorns and sticks in the road but lived to fight another day. Rim brakes…. Not ideal, just need to brake earlier
I hate the feeling (and noise!) of rain pants and shoe covers, but if you're biking for more than an hour they'll keep your lower half nice and dry. For the top half, its touch and go with waterproofed items, they can be super plasticky and staticky, so sometimes its better to just get rained on. For safety reasons and comfort reasons, a decent pair of waterproofed gloves will keep your hands comfortable and capable on the handlebars--otherwise make sure your bar tape is . One of the biggest things when riding in the wet is to remember to wipe your bike down when you're finally home.
the pacific north west is in the non-stop downpour season. Everyone is on Zwift!
Since a ride in the rain resulted in a broken collar-bone I avoid rain, as the risk of a crash and the currently constant fear reduces the joy of a ride I avoid riding in the rain. Low temperatures are no problem to me, as I have the right equipement/clothes, but a wet surface i currently a no-go.
Rain builds character.
Wear a cap under your helmet. It prevents rain (and with rain hairgel and sweat) from getting in your eyes and on your glasses. For me it makes all the difference. And wear something visible. Compared to cars we are a bit fragile.
I'm broadly like the Wicked Witch of the West with my aversion to riding in the rain, however if I have to, I've found the gravel bike is a lot less sketchy on Australian roads in the wet. Because I'm Australian, I don't have mud guards 🤣
Because most of our wet weather is in the summer, it's quite hard to layer properly, as you'll be as wet with a gillet or rain jacket, as if you hadn't put one on.
And of course, the post ride clean is a bit miserable.
I love riding in a light rain
Move to Tucson Arizona, 350 days of sunshine on average.
Seems to me that the Steve Jones footwear solution for riding in wet is still the best one. Flat pedals and Wellies.
It's a funny one but I've been caught out in some horrible storms in Summer and you have to get home so you suck it up, in Winter you look out, see drizzle and it's "nope, not today".
Also, similar to keeping your phone dry, ensure your home alarm key fob keeps dry. £100 for a replacement the time I didn't. How Mrs S laughed (not).
You should do a video like this for commuting when wet
Once you're soaked,you're water proof.
Thanks DS Manon and crew....ok , cats and donkeys ?? That's awesome !
The last time I intentionally rode in the rain, in March, I got showered by hail, which packed in my helmet, and I got a bad case of hypothermia. No thanks. Although, by all means, keep up these masters of the obvious video tips!
Been using my city bike comuter in rhe rain .only zone 2 . Lol leaving my road bike for the nice day lol.
I find my gravel bike collects a lot less water than my road bike off the tyres so can stay much drier. And slow down, avoid puddles and go the longer way home to avoid any busy roads
To dry your shoes for the next ride, stuff them with crumpled up newspaper. It'll get them dry by morning and you won't risk hurting them with heaters.
That's what I always do 👍🚴
Phones are waterproof but not vapor/air proof. The worst thing is to have your phone in a pocket in the wet. Your body heat makes it all steamy in the pocket and that water filled air gets into the phone and ruins it. And your warranty won't cover it. Ask me how I know...
Eeek! Good to know, another point for bar bags 😉
Sandwich bag works fine
This is what I love most about riding a velomobile. I stay warm
In the cold and dry in the rain. No need for mudguards or fancy raincoats. None of my gear gets dirty. I ride year-round in all weather. I don’t even use my bike trainer anymore because I just ride outside every day.
what about racing a moped with your velomobile?👉th-cam.com/video/st57tiKsstk/w-d-xo.html
@@gcn already watched it twice. Hardly a fair race though, with the moped limited to 30mph. Would have been fun to see speed and power data from the Streamliner riders. A streamliner May not be very practical for daily riding like a velomobile, but it sure is fast.
or,, maybe just go with what life throws at you... youll find the best memories there.
Tip for drying shoes, stuff them with cheap microfibre cloths or tea towels from the supermarket.
Effective and reusable.
Brilliant idea! Nothing worse than wet shoes when riding🥶
I got caught out lol. No problem.took a coffe break lol. Dried up in 17 degrees weather after it stopped. Pretty cool 100km ride . The hardning of a cyclist 🍺🚲🍺❤
Mud guards are brilliant and if your bike has mounts for full length mud guards you, and more or less all of your bike, will benefit enormously by not getting covered in road spray, mud, muck and road kill.
Say it louder for those at the back! 📣
"Raining cats and donkeys"? What, not cats and dogs? 😮 Special rain in Bath, maybe! 😊 Nice vid- my solution is to move to gravel/mtb/cx over winter, then you're moving slower on a grippier (?!! 🤔) surface- certainly softer when you deck it! 😜
My tip - Ride on small ring only. Keeps speed down and cadence high, and more importantly, you’ll be riding slower over the slippy slidey roads that UK is proud of.
Great point! Do you enjoy riding in the winter weather?🥶