Rain!

[Dannosarusrex]

What advice do you have for a newbie who hasn't risen in the rain. I rode a gravel rode the other day. Went slow and all I could think was, get me offa this stupid gravel road! Is a normal road in the rain anything like gravel? What about if it snows or sleets? Ever ridden in that? Ever since I got the bike it's been crap weather when I go to work, so I've taken the car. Maybe Gods trying to tell me something.


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[dernp]

Riding in the rain requires slower speeds. Riding in snow or sleet not recommended.

[highcountry]

For me, gravel is more difficult than wet pavement especially on a heavy bike like my Valk. Fresh rain on pavement can be really slick because the oil and chemicals haven't wash off yet. Just take your time and keep your distance from cars. I don't ride in icy or snowy conditions.

[hbark]

Agreed that riding in gravel is much worse (for me) then riding in the rain. Skip the ice and snow! But rain is do-able, make sure you get good rain gear, jacket and pants both. The boots I ofetn wear are waterproof too. Use your common sense, ride slower than usual, longer stopping distances, and all that. I ride with a FF helmet, as long as I can see in the rain I'm OK. I bought one of those pin-lock visors, not cheap but 100% fog free, and the helmet I use (Shoei) has a good seal around the visor.

[-AJ]

just take it slow and easy. don't get in a rush.

[vandinroth]

living in a rural area with tons of gravel roads, i kinda alter my riding depending on the road. If they just put down fresh gravel or just graded the road, i avoid it. If it's normal condition road, i ride in the tire tracks where the cars have pushed away the gravel and it's basically packed dirt. If it's that gravel that's big huge rocks, i avoid it and go another route.

Freshly graded gravel roads are the worst, they even suck in cars.

There's a few steel grid deck bridges around here too. Those will put your butt in a pucker, at least they do for me. Worse than gravel and rain put together.

WHen the mayflies get really thick and cover the roads that's sucky too lol. Riding in the rain isn't bad if you got gear. If you get caught in the rain with no gear it blows. The first 20 mins or so are the worst, road is like ice after that it just takes some extra caution and be aware of the fact it takes longer to stop.

[woodboats]

[QUOTE=vandinroth;1294111]living in a rural area with tons of gravel roads, i kinda alter my riding depending on the road. If they just put down fresh gravel or just graded the road, i avoid it. If it's normal condition road, i ride in the tire tracks where the cars have pushed away the gravel and it's basically packed dirt. If it's that gravel that's big huge rocks, i avoid it and go another route.

Freshly graded gravel roads are the worst, they even suck in cars.

This for gravel..
Remember your front wheel is going to shake in loose gravel and there is nothing you can do about it. Just relax the death grip on your bars and go with it. Don't give up on gravel roads..they lead to the most amazing places.
Plus if you encounter a long stretch of road works, having gravel riding skills will make it much more pleasant for you.

[JVince]

I took my riding course in a pouring rainstorm. They weren't kidding about "rain or shine". We all got soaked but it was a good way to learn I suppose. Then again we never went over 25 or 30 so turning in the rain was probably all I really took from that.

[vzshadow]

The key question is how good are your tires? They're designed to push water out of the way. If your tires are great with lots of tread, you shouldn't have any problem if you slow down a little and allow for a little more stopping distance. If your tires need replacing, don't go out in the rain.

[Coop]

Please read the below thread of my first ride in the rain. It will show you some pointers I had as well as many others that commented. Riding in the rain sucks, cause you get wet...ish, but you can safely do it and not die

My First Ride in the rain, what I learned!
Coop