If you want to use a bike for transportation a substantial part of the year, you need to learn how to bike in the rain happily. Here are some tips we compiled!
GEAR UP
Nice rain poncho with brim, but with no fenders, this rider will get soaked from below!
Get fenders for your front and back tires. They will prevent you from being sprayed continuously by water and mud from your tires.
Use lights, even in the day. Rainy weather make you less visible, and being really visible is really important to safety.
Keep the rain out of your eyes and off your glasses. Common solutions are (1) slipping a cap or hood with a visor under your helmet so the visor shields some of the raindrops, and (2) goggles.
Keep your upper and lower body dry, but don’t overheat. Common solutions are (1) breathable rain jacket and rain pants, (2) a rain poncho that drapes over your front handlebars, which can also keep your hands dry and warm, and (3) an improvised rain poncho made from a trash bag!
Keep your stuff dry. Use a waterproof carrier — or just pop your stuff into a trash bag.
Keep your chain and derailleur lubricated. This helps protect it water and grit that can corrode it.
RIDE CAUTIOUSLY
One type of rim brakes, which make contact with the wheel rim to stop the bike.
Allow extra time to stop in case of slippery road surfaces or brakes that take longer when wet (which can be true of “rim brakes”).
Avoid standing puddles not only because they’ll splash you but because there could be a dangerous chunk of missing pavement under them!
We’ll say it again: Use lights! Be extra visible!
CLEAN UP AFTER
If your bike is just wet, use a rag to wipe it down. If it’s dirty or sandy, rinse it off with a watering can or nonpressurized hose, and then dry it.