Riding a Bike In The Rain: What You Need To Know

For a lot of people, if they see rain coming down outside they are not going to want to get their bike out and go for a ride. However, as long as you take the right precautions and ensure that you are being as safe as possible, it can actually be quite an exciting challenge for you to face.

If you regularly take a break from cycling , or you are choosing to use an indoor bike instead of facing the downpour every time it gets wet outside, you’re going to be interrupting your training, and potentially harming your chances of being successful.

It’s important that you start to prepare yourself for the possibility that you may need to ride in the rain. Today, we are going to be discussing what you need to know about cycling in the rain, and providing you with as much useful information as we can to ensure that you remain safe while you are doing so.

It’s important that you are wearing the right gear when you’re going cycling in the rain, and some of these pieces include:

• A waterproof jacket

• A brimmed cap

• Waterproof bike backpack

• Waterproof pannier

• A wool layer underneath

A high quality waterproof jacket will have a high collar that stops the rain from seeping in, keeping you dry underneath. Do your research into the best waterproof jackets for cycling to make sure that you are getting the absolute best.

When it comes to a brimmed cap, this will keep the raindrops from getting into your eyes when worn correctly under your helmet. The brim will be low enough to avoid the water droplets getting into your eyes and obscuring your vision.

More often than not, with the rain comes the cold, and you need to be protecting yourself from this. Wearing a wool layer underneath your waterproof will help to keep the heat in, so that’s something you don’t want to forget.

Having some kind of waterproof storage on your bike is also going to be massively important. Both panniers and  two wheel gears backpacks are waterproof options, ensuring that you can safely transport your items in the resin without them getting damaged.

Panniers are a fantastic option as they attach to your bike, and won’t impact your balance at all. Waterproof backpacks are also good for storage as they may offer you slightly more room than other options, but this will impact your balance slightly, and you may need to take precautions for this. If you have no idea what a pannier is, read our guide on what panniers are here .

Cycling in the rain can be slightly more dangerous than if you were cycling in normal weather conditions. 

Even if you are confident in your bike, every cyclist still needs to take the correct precautions when they are riding in adverse weather.

Visibility in poor weather conditions can be obscured for both you and for the car drivers on the road. It’s imperative that you are taking extra precautions to remain seen at all times. 

Cars need to know where you are, and if the visibility is only a short distance in front of them, bright and reflective colors just might save your life. Drivers will be a lot more cautious with their driving if they know that there is a cyclist near, especially with the slippery conditions.

It will not impact your training if you cycle slower when the rain is coming down. It doesn’t matter how much experience any given cyclist has, the rain still needs to be accounted for and this means slower speeds. 

This is especially true on any kind of unpaved surface, and we actively encourage you to take a different route if this is the case due to the change in the surface due to the rain.

Staying safe means ensuring that all of your safety measures are in working order, including your brakes. Check them before the journey stars, and throughout the journey by gently pressing them to ensure that the water isn’t causing problems.

‘Water can damage brakes without much effort, or they can become stuck when they are not being used often. Don’t push them too harshly either, as in these conditions it can easily cause a loss of control, skidding across the surface.

Perhaps it sounds impossible to avoid slippery surfaces when you are in the rain, but there are some that are more dangerous than others. 

For example, wood surfaces become excessively slippy when they are wet, and can make your journey extremely difficult.

It’s best to avoid any surface like this if you can, sticking to areas where there is paving.

However, due to the oils on the road, you may still end up having to compensate for the slippery surface.

It may be entertaining to splash through puddles, and it might not seem like a big deal, but cycling through puddles can be extremely dangerous. 

There is no way to know how deep that puddle is, there is no way to know what the surface of that puddle is like or if there is anything untoward in there. It’s very easy to lose control of the bike if you fall into a puddle that is deeper than it looks, throwing you off and causing an injury in the process. 

It’s best to just go around puddles to avoid this potentially becoming an issue, especially if it’s a rainbow oil puddle.

Pros:

• Teaches you to handle your bike well

• Keeps you cool on a hot day

• You don’t have to stop because it’s wet

• Makes you work a little harder

• It’s exciting

Cons

• You may get wet and risk a cold

• It can be dangerous in severe conditions

• Extra riding hear will be needed

• Extra preparation time is necessary

• Your vision could be impacted

•  Proper Attire:  Wearing waterproof clothing, including a jacket, brimmed cap, and wool layer, is crucial for staying dry and comfortable.

•  Storage Solutions:  Waterproof storage options like panniers and backpacks are essential for protecting belongings.

•  Safety Measures:  Visibility, slower cycling, brake checks, and avoiding slippery surfaces are vital safety precautions.

•  Pros and Cons:  Cycling in the rain teaches bike handling, keeps you cool, and adds excitement but also poses risks such as getting wet, danger in severe conditions, and impaired vision.

•  Avoid Puddles:  Cycling through puddles can be hazardous due to unknown depths and surfaces, so it's best to steer clear of them for safety.

Cycling in the rain presents challenges but with proper precautions, it can be an exciting experience. This article discussed the essential tips for safe and enjoyable cycling during wet weather, covering clothing, storage, safety measures, and pros and cons of cycling in the rain.