Rain Storm!!!

[ejsaenz]

I went to meet some friends for lunch in Hesperia, CA today. The weather didn't mention rain or maybe just 20%, the skies were blue and it was a tepid 100 degrees or so.

I left the fine, all you can eat buffet, dining establishment and had to get gas as I was past 100 miles on my tank. I went to the local gas station. I can't believe I waited 10 minutes before I rode off to another station closer to home.

As I'm riding the 15 north, I see dark angry clouds in the distance. I think to myself, they look far away, no problem. I continue riding to the gas station and get gas. It declines my card so I scan it again. Oh oh... as I fuel up I see little tiny drops of water on the asphalt, I can smell the wet ground.

I get back on the bike and hope for the best. I'd never ridden in the rain. To be honest, it scared me to think that I would have to ride in the rain. I avoided riding on days where the weatherman dude said it was more than 40% chance of rain. In the high desert, that usually means it would rain in Barstow and nowhere else... I was at 20% here... I get two block and someone let the floodgates open. A drizzle would be nice. It POURED like crazy! I was freaking out. Nowhere to stop and wait it out so I had to ride. It started hailing a bit and lighting was striking everywhere, about one flash every 5-10 seconds. The drops were huge. I can't believe rain could hurt that much. I was going about 40 or so in a 50 area, in traffic.

I was glad the full face kept the drops off of my face and let me see. My mesh jacket worked! It let all the water in!!! I finally made it to a low traffic street near my house and calmed a bit down. I then started to laugh out loud to myself and thanked God that he had me go thru this test so to speak to prove my fears unfounded. As long as I followed my training I was able to make it home safely.

I do want to thank everyone here for posting tips for riding in inclement weather. I learned that if I slow down and think each movement ahead of time and plan ahead, things should be ok. I don't know who here posted that the painted lines are VERY slippery, but THANK YOU! I avoided them and didn't have to experience that first hand. I planned all my stops and avoided street s with many stops so I wouldn't have to deal with the stripes and letters they paint on the street.

Those informative posts are WAY better for us noobs to learn the fine art of riding from those who have experience than you could even imagine. Thank you all!

Ernie

[bluedad]

Congrats! now that you know the rain won't kill you, you won't totally freak out next time you get caught.

[93gc40]

Something I learned about weather reports and riding. A 10% chance of rain, means 10 miles of the 100 mile ride will be wet.

[oblivion_twister]

yep, 10-20% chance and I'm on the bike = guaranteed rain.

[Big B]

Great story Ernie, glad you made it through OK. I'm like you, I hate getting stuck in the rain.

[Officer friendly]

Good Job! Also it's a good Idea when it first starts to rain, to WAIT 15-20 mins if you can ,,,to let all the oils and other crap cagers leak onto & into the pavement..come up to the surface and run off...in most cases the first 10-15 mins of rain is really the slickest ,,,yes avoid ALL painted lines & markings and what we back east call "road snakes" thats the thin black tar crap the state fills in the cracks with...I myself just got caught in the rain while on a dinner ride tonight ,,,those first 15 mins gave me a good excuse to get an Ice Coffee at D&D ....

[Floyd Dolin]

Sometimes rain is just part of the journey. Not fun, but an experience to remember and reflect on. As always and above all...ride safe.

[mornut]

I carry frog toggs and good quality rain boots in my saddlebag all the time. Got caught in a down pour like that a couple weeks ago while I was on the slab, pulled on the gear in a minute, and rode fine until it came down so hard that visibility was nearly zero. Pulled off at the next exit and hung out at a gas station. Met up with three bikers heading to Sturgis. Kinda cool to swap stories with them

[Mongrel]

You done good man! No excuses now...just get rain gear and save the aggravation of looking for weather reports!

Nowadays the only thing I fear on rainy days is the look on my wife's face when I pull in the yard...a combination of relief and "you simple sob, I can't believe you rode in that"!

[jpr1968]

You didn't know when they said 10 or 20% that it meant that you were going to get 20% wet! First times always weird and tense. Second time you flip your finger to it and ride on.