Cycling in the rain, do you know it all?

While we certainly try to avoid riding in the rain—both for safety and comfort reasons and due to the adverse effects of water on our bike components—sooner or later, everyone will be caught in a light drizzle. Beyond our discomfort and soaked clothes, we also need to consider how this might impact our road safety and the condition of our equipment.

Cycling in the rain without getting wet

A cyclist gets wet twice during a ride: from above and below. While the upper source of water is clear, the bottom is drenched by water splashed by the wheels. The lack of mudguards in such situations guarantees a wet and probably dirty back and legs. For this reason, full mudguards are highly recommended, especially for city riding, where puddles and mud are inevitable. Bike shops typically offer plastic and plastic-aluminum mudguards. Both options are lightweight and durable (provided you're staying in urban areas). Some models have mudflaps, which additionally protect your shoes when riding through puddles. If you don't find one in your purchased model, you can build your own using a cut-up old inner tube. A compromise, but effective solution is the so-called ass saver. This short plastic mudguard mounts without tools under the saddle and can be carried in a bag or backpack, taking up no more space than an A4 sheet of paper. However, it only protects as much as its name suggests. This way, we can protect ourselves from getting wet underneath. It's also a good idea to always carry a plastic raincoat (poncho), rain shoe covers, and a helmet cover, for example, in your bag. It's always good to have them just in case, and folded, they don't take up much space. If we're leaving our bike on the street, it's worth considering in advance to prevent the saddle from getting wet. For this purpose, we can simply wrap it in a plastic bag or buy a special rain cover.

We test the equipment in the rain

If our bike doesn't have the best components, we'll definitely find out when riding in the rain. Contact with water will expose the flaws in many essential components, especially the brakes and dynamo. In some cases, they can stop working altogether. Therefore, if we plan to use our bike to commute to school, university, or work, regardless of the weather, it's worth investing in weather-resistant components. Which brakes will ensure safety in the rain? The most popular types, cantilever and V-brakes , exhibit a significant decrease in effectiveness when wet. Water and mud get trapped between the pads and the wheel rim, causing the brakes to slip. The coaster brake fares much better here, remaining effective in the rain. Besides coaster brakes, other coaster brakes used in internal derailleurs, as well as more expensive drum and roller brakes, are also weather-resistant. However , disc brakes, especially hydraulic ones , are the most reliable. Internal hub dynamos also operate regardless of weather conditions. Importantly, "internal" bicycle components, such as derailleurs and brakes, are more weather-resistant than externally mounted components. In addition to the quality of components, tires are also crucial in rainy conditions, especially on wet, and therefore slippery, surfaces. Narrower tires are more susceptible to skidding, but regardless of their width, sudden braking, which could lock the wheel, should be avoided. Cyclists using mechanical disc brakes are particularly susceptible to such situations; while effective, they are more difficult to modulate. Due to the risk of wheel lockup, we should also avoid sudden braking with the front wheel in rainy conditions. Tires without tread won't help either. It's also worth considering thicker chain oil for rain and snow. It will provide better ride quality and protect the chain from rust, as long as you top it up regularly.

Cycling in the rain requires proper technique!

It might seem obvious – when it rains, puddles form on the road. This seems like a trivial problem, as reducing your speed to limit splashes is enough to overcome such an "obstacle." Unfortunately, we can't predict what such a puddle hides. Water sometimes floods certain obstacles, from small ones like rocks, to potholes, to open sewer manholes. Therefore, it's best to avoid puddles whenever possible. Wet curbs, tram rails, and roots can also be dangerous. Even slightly wet, they become dangerously slippery. If you can't avoid them, drive over them at the right angle possible – preferably perpendicularly. It's also important to remember that visibility is limited in rainy weather. Heavy rain, splashing puddles, fog, the rapid onset of darkness, and the reflection of lights on wet roads make it harder for drivers to spot cyclists on the road. This is why it's so important to wear colorful clothing (preferably yellow or orange). It's also safest to have your lights on (even during the day). It's also worth wearing reflective armbands, legs, or the frame of your bike, which can be life-saving in bad weather. If the road seems unsafe in rain, you can refer to the relevant provision of the Road Traffic Act. It states that cyclists have the right to use the sidewalk or pedestrian path when "weather conditions threaten the cyclist's safety on the road (snow, strong wind, heavy rain, black ice, thick fog)." Cycling in the rain always carries a certain risk, so above all, ride smoothly and predictably.