How To Ride In Rain And Wet Weather

Cycling in the rain is almost inevitable, no matter where it is you ride. How can you make wet weather riding more tolerable? Here are our top tips.

Preparation is key to making sure that a wet ride isn't as bad as it could be. Making sure you've got the right clothing on, be that a soft shell or full on waterproof. Overshoes are also a very valuable investment, and we suggest layering them - as you would any other kit. A cycling cap can also help to keep water out of your eyes and your head warm.

Lowering tyre pressures can increase the contact patch of the tyre and therefore increase grip on the road. A thicker wet weather lubricant will help with keeping your chain moving and fitting mudguards, though maybe not "cool" certainly helps to keep you drier.

Where you ride can also have an impact on your enjoyment of riding in the wet, and avoiding big climbs where you may get cold on the descents is a good idea, as is doing a number of smaller loops nearer home. Psychologically knowing that getting home to a nice hot shower is easy can really help you with going further than you might do if you're out on a long ride and end up feeling cold, wet and 'stuck' miles from home.

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The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year.

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[beatroot]

One of my best times on the bike ever was riding through driving rain on the windy Dutch coast once...over the sand dunes ... and then as I was approaching Harlem and then Amsterdam the rain stopped, clouds broke and the sun poked through in a shaft of light, on my triumphant return home! Rain can be fun.

[gcn]

Thanks for the suggestion. There were a few days in the summer where we could have filmed winter/autumn riding how to's!

[basvredeling]

Avoid road paint / striping
Fit rain or winter tires
Don't ride in the spray behind someone
Keep your sadle and ass as dry as possible (don't stand on your pedals, keep seated)
Mind the sand and dirt on your bidons (spray out a little water before drinking)
Check your tires on breaks for sticking gravel to prevent possible flat tires

[amg]

I'm a super experienced rider and this is crazy spot on. Specifically doing loops close to home. It's a deep seeded mental thing that helps so much.

[kwacker]

great tip about staying closer to home when riding in bad to terrible weather. Riding in crappy weather is 90% in the mind so to have the comfort of being able to bail out if it gets really bad seems to spur you on and you end up staying out longer imo :-) :-) layering is your BEST friend:-) :-)

[gcn]

He's got a GCN winter jersey... We'll have the GCN kit on sale soon! And yes, it is very nice :)

[trishburgio]

Good vids on wet wx. I know this is generally laughable that I need these videos & live in Southern California, but being new to cycling, everything is helpful. Winter is rainy here in Dec or Jan. Most people stay in. More info = less anxiety. Thnx GCN.

[zulkeeper]

PERFECT VIDEO. It's rainy season in the East here. Glad this video came in time!

[Jstroman]

I alway notice his incredibly long pauses (deep breath in through the mouth) between words. Very good for annunciation and good for the viewer to hear and understand good job as usual Global Cycling Network.

[leedorney]

This is the best video you've ever done imo...! (due to the fact it rains ALOT in the UK, ok its been a banging summer, but, yer get me drift lol)

[ScottCervelo]

1:53
Pro Tip ;)
Lube the inside of the chain not the outside.

[gcn]

I asked Daniel about this earlier. Most pros only wear gloves in races it seems, and some don't even bother then.

[wibblemania]

Unless you are racing I would replace overshoes with some decent boots like Northwave fahrenheit. They work much better especially against the cold. Another vote for crud 2. Best mudguards I have used.

[mariankrejci]

Hi GCN, you' re doing amazing job, but please do some mountain biking, downhill, bmx:)

[peterbaskind]

I live in the American South where rain can be like going swimming. When that happens, I put lights on the bike. Keep visibility up in the muck AND give cars more time to brake.

[kennethkoh]

Nice ad useful tips! Now I can use this as an excuse to cycle while under the rain! Yes!

[josephbourne]

so... locking up my back wheel and drifting around corner because its wet is a no no ?

[bloodsord]

It's a personal preference. If you want to get really technical, then you omit everything that is not aero or adds weight. I wear them because my hands get sweaty and gloves help me have a grip on the handle bars, otherwise there is no point

[MrTrabyte]

THX !! for this nice videos! helps a lot for beginner :)! keep on riding;)

[leedorney]

And obviously having watched the utterley helpfull GCN videos you got through it unscathed ;p