All cyclists find themselves cycling in the rain at some point. Whether you encounter a downpour on your commute, experience a heavy shower during your weekend ride or get caught in an unexpected drizzle whilst training, the wet conditions are unavoidable if you’re wanting to continue cycling throughout the winter.
Although rainy rides might not be quite as enjoyable as rides in the warm sunshine, there are ways you can make them more pleasant. In this blog, the team here at Tru-Tension explain our top tips for cycling in the rain to help keep you safe and comfortable.
Wear Suitable Waterproof Clothing
It’s absolutely crucial that you wear appropriate clothing for cycling in the rain. From jackets and gloves to glasses and caps, below is a list of some must-have clothing for wet riding –
Lightweight Rain Jacket
A lightweight waterproof jacket should be an essential part of your winter cycling kit. Of course, it needs to be waterproof, but we recommend wearing a material that is breathable too as this will help to prevent you from overheating. Fabric technology has improved significantly over the past years and has become really effective at both keeping the rain out whilst also preventing you from getting soaked on the inside from your own sweat.
Tights
Cycling in the cold and wet makes it more difficult for your muscles to perform to their optimum levels so it’s important to wrap your legs up too. Water repellent tights are great at keeping your legs warm and dry, and their tight fit ensures they don’t flap in the wind or get caught in the drive chain.
Overshoes
Though it may be impossible to keep your feet perfectly dry when cycling in the rain (they are right in the firing line of spray from the front wheel after all), a good pair of overshoes will help to keep your feet partially dry. A wide choice is available to suit all budgets and types of shoe, but we advise investing in a pair made from neoprene. This is the same material used to make wetsuits and thus will help to prevent your feet from getting cold even when they are wet.
Gloves
Wet hands get cold and numb very quick – which makes for a very unpleasant ride – so you need to have a good pair of gloves. If you don’t already own a pair, buy some neoprene gloves as these are great for keeping rain out and retaining warmth. They’re also not as thick as other gloves so don’t hinder your bike control.
Glasses
Your vision can quickly become impaired when it’s raining heavily, especially when water is being sprayed up from the road. A pair of cycling glasses can shield your eyes from water as well as mud and grit. If riding in low light, we advise wearing lenses with a yellow tint as this boosts contrast.
Cycling Cap
Air vents in helmets are great for keeping you cool but they don’t offer much protection when it comes to keeping the rain out. A good idea to combat this and keep your head dry is to wear a cycling cap underneath your helmet. Your cap’s peak provides extra protection as it will deflect the rain away from your eyes.
Purchase Mudguards
Although mudguards might not be liked by all cyclists, they are extremely effective at protecting you from road spray. They help to keep filthy water from the road away from your feet, legs and back, preventing you from getting a soaking.
Remember that even if it’s not actually raining when going out on your ride, the roads may still be wet. Mudguards will stop water flicking up from your wheels, helping you to stay dry and warm.
Avoid Puddles & Standing Water
Puddles and standing water can pose a serious hazard to you and your bike. You can never be sure of what’s underneath – perhaps a deep pothole or a large rock, for example – so it’s best to steer clear of them unless you can clearly see what’s underneath.
Go Careful When Cornering
Cornering can be a tricky challenge when it’s raining as the wet conditions can considerably reduce your grip. Any loose materials on the road can also limit your control.
Make sure you brake before you start turning and stay away from the edge of the road as this is where most of the debris can be found. Painted road markings can also be slippery when wet so look out for these too.
Lube Your Chain After Every Ride
Your bike’s chain is perhaps the most vulnerable component when cycling in wet conditions. This is because the rain will wash off most of the lubricant you’ve applied, putting your chain at an increased risk of becoming rusty.
After every ride, re-apply your lube to help maintain its condition and ensure a smoother ride. Lube specifically designed for the wet and muddy conditions, such as the BananaSlip Wet Lube, is recommended as this sticks to the surface of the chain for continued lubrication in even the harshest of environments. It helps cyclists to prolong their bike’s cassette and chain life as well as improve performance.
Keep Your Bike Clean
Whilst lubricating your chain, it’s also beneficial to give your whole bike a clean. Your bike will probably have picked up a whole host of dirt and grime while out and about, so it’s a good idea to give it a thorough wash after every ride to help protect parts from wear and tear as well as prevent corrosion and rust.
The Monkey Juice Gel Bike Cleaner is a specifically formulated degreaser used by cyclists all over the world. It clings to the surface of the bike and penetrates microscopic holes within the dirt, quickly lifting particles away from the surface. It also leaves a dirt repellent finish, which helps to slow future grime build up.
Check Your Tyres
Punctures are much more common in wet conditions. Not only is this because the rain washes debris from the gutter into the road, but also because water acts as a lubricant, meaning sharp objects like glass can cut through the tyres far more easily.
After each ride inspect your tyres for anything that shouldn’t be there, like flints, glass and any other debris.
Something to consider is investing in winter-specific tyres. These tend to comprise of extra puncture protection and a thick tread, helping to provide extra grip on wet roads.
Remember Your Lights
Rain is often accompanied by dark clouds and low light levels, therefore causing limited visibility. Water on the wing mirrors of cars and steamed-up windscreens can also restrict the visibility of drivers on the road, so even when cycling in the day, make sure you’re visible to other road users.
Equip the front and rear of your bike with good quality and reliable LED lights to give others the best chance of seeing you.
Bicycle Maintenance Tools & Products with Tru-Tension
Here at Tru-Tension, we specialise in designing and manufacturing a wide range of high-quality bicycle maintenance tools and products. If you’re looking to get more out of your bike and ensure it is ready for riding in the rain, be sure to browse our product range today.