Things I learned while riding in the rain

[worldbound4now]

I just returned from a four day weekend where I left last Thursday headed from TX to IA and returned yesterday. Thursday's ride was one of the worst that I've ever endured. It was either chilly out was constantly switching between fog and rain in TX/AR and rained throughout MO. I had plenty of time to ponder things.

1. All suits, whether expensive or cheap, will leak water. They have five big holes and zippers to let the cold wet nastiness seep in late at night when it's 38 degrees out.

2. Walmart sells cheap rain suits that are a great addition to the 'stitch roadcrafter when riding for 14+ hours in non-stop rain.

3. Michelin PR2s are the cat's *** of tires. I was repeatedly surprised at how well they cornered when wet, and were able to clear a path in standing water without hydroplaning. VERY predictable tires.

4. No matter how many layers of clothing you have on, you're not warm if you're wet and it's cold outside.

5. Cotton belongs nowhere on the human body when riding in the rain. Not only will it retain water, but the capillary action of the fibers will draw the water throughout a large area of the fabric into places that were presumed well protected. Heavy fleece with a microfleece layer, two coolmax shirts, and a moisture wicking t-shirt worked extremely well when the rain stopped, but the temperatures were in the low 20's.

6. Gloves with a large gauntlet are a must have. They keep wind and rain from blowing up your sleeves.

7. It may be safer to stay behind a vehicle and ride in the track that they just squeegeed (sp) off, but riding in front is so much drier and visibility is so much better. Vision and warmpth are much more important than a water-cleared tire track.

8. Grip warmers are a gift from heaven. Having functional, limber hands helped me maintain a great amount of comfort and confidence in my abilities in the cold/wet situations.

9. A neoprene nose/chin/neck cover is a tremendous asset to keeping the otherwise exposed area between your helmet and suit covered and warm. Neoprene will stay warm even when wet.

10. Better planning will help reduce time in the rain in the future and maintain the best margin of safety.

BTW, this trip was my first time in AR. I must return. It was beautiful.

 

[LDRydr]

6. Gloves with a large gauntlet are a must have. They keep wind and rain from blowing up your sleeves.

Don't forget, however, that in heavy rain water will run DOWN your arm, past your glove gauntlet, and into your waterproof gloves. Sometimes it's better to have your glove tucked into your jacket sleeve then snug up the sleeve opening to keep the wind and rain out. Personally I've just added handguards for the first time and am looking forward to seeing how they'll improve things in the cold and wet season.

 

[BwanaDik]

2. Walmart sells cheap rain suits that are a great addition to the 'stitch roadcrafter when riding for 14+ hours in non-stop rain.

+1 I buy the yellow "Sterns" models from Academy for $12/suit. Zero leakage and warmer too (no wind). Way better than spending $$$$ on something to go over my 'Stitch (which only leaks in a torrential downpour)

3. Michelin PR2s are the cat's *** of tires. I was repeatedly surprised at how well they cornered when wet, and were able to clear a path in standing water without hydroplaning. VERY predictable tires.

+1

4. No matter how many layers of clothing you have on, you're not warm if you're wet and it's cold outside.

Nope, you need to invest in electrics. Vest+grips=warm and comfy

 

[Bungie]

+1 on the vest.

Suzuki Handgaurds + 10

I went for a ride on Saturday and when I left the temps were 3C (37F). I don't have heated grips. 250km later the temps had risen to a blistering 7C (uh.. about 43F) but the sun had disappeared and strong North wind was blowing. If your core is warm, and you keep your hands out of a direct breeze, very tolerable. BTW, the Suzuki gaurds to an amazing job of keeping your hands dry as well. I've worn mesh gloves on the highway and been caught in the rain (about a 100 ******* times this year!) and my gloves stayed dry.

Agreed with the first poster though Cold + rain = wet wooly monkey ****.

 

[worldbound4now]

... in heavy rain water will run DOWN your arm, past your glove gauntlet, and into your waterproof gloves...

Fortunately the sleeve/glove phenomena did not happen. My arms were consistently dry. It was my chest that became wet because of the neck leakage.

 

[twistedcricket]

BTW, this trip was my first time in AR. I must return. It was beautiful.

SFO in May --- just sayin

 

[user 6393]

rain, and water being throw up by other vehicles, makes a bike way less visible to everyone else on the road, so ride with that in mind as well.

 

[wheatonFJR]

BTW, this trip was my first time in AR. I must return. It was beautiful.

SFO in May --- just sayin

Yes, you must return...

Arkansas All Day...ride some of the best roads in AR...clicky

in 2 1/2 weeks...jes sayin'

 

[etepjavelin]

hmmmmmmm, may sound dumb to you guys but when it is really cold or wet or both why not try a 2 milimetre wet suit (under your gear), toasty as and no water ever got through mine, just a thought from a "kiwi" :evilsmiley03:

 

[FJRBluesman]

Great advice, thanks.

 

[Khunajawdge]

Interesting, I have a 4 mil. I think I will throw it on the bike and take t with me next time I head out into the humidity, like maybe this coming weekend?

Thanks for the idea from down unda !

 

[TruWrecks]

I have an Olympic Motorsport Phantom suit that I've used in a severe storm. Over three hours of riding and only got a damp collar out of the deal.

 

[bikerskier]

rain, and water being throw up by other vehicles, makes a bike way less visible to everyone else on the road, so ride with that in mind as well.

Excellent point, Barb

Very good time to be wearing something Hi Viz, like a lime green safety vest or sumpin...

 

[etepjavelin]

Knunajawdge, not sure how 4 mil wet suit would be, if it is a tight fitting one it could cause a restriction behind your knees when riding, 2 mil was the max for me, tried 3mil, too restrictive as it tries to fold over it self behind the knees, so """be aware of that""".

i cut a small diamond shape out the back of the kness then had it rejoined so as to stop the problem arising again,

 

[Bokerfork]

Sometimes being a California Wimp is its own reward. :yahoo:

 

[08FJR4ME]

3. Michelin PR2s are the cat's *** of tires. I was repeatedly surprised at how well they cornered when wet, and were able to clear a path in standing water without hydroplaning. VERY predictable tires.[SIZE=12pt]Keep it under 80 mph, they will hydroplane at 85 mph. Don't ask me how i know this!! h34r: [/SIZE]

7. It may be safer to stay behind a vehicle and ride in the track that they just squeegeed (sp) off, but riding in front is so much drier and visibility is so much better. Vision and warmpth are much more important than a water-cleared tire track.

[SIZE=12pt]+1 i definately agree with this one! [/SIZE]

 

[Geezer]

7. It may be safer to stay behind a vehicle and ride in the track that they just squeegeed (sp) off, but riding in front is so much drier and visibility is so much better. Vision and warmpth are much more important than a water-cleared tire track.

I would have to say that it depends. In the daylight I prefer to be in front, but after dark I feel safer following because the cage provides taillights to show you where the road is, can clear critters for you, and will warn you of other obstacles by swerving. Just stay back far enough so you have time to react to the cager's behavior.

 

[BwanaDik]

7. It may be safer to stay behind a vehicle and ride in the track that they just squeegeed (sp) off, but riding in front is so much drier and visibility is so much better. Vision and warmpth are much more important than a water-cleared tire track.

I would have to say that it depends. In the daylight I prefer to be in front, but after dark I feel safer following because the cage provides taillights to show you where the road is, can clear critters for you, and will warn you of other obstacles by swerving. Just stay back far enough so you have time to react to the cager's behavior.

+1 And may also give you the millisecond of reaction time needed to slow down when you see the cager hydroplane on unseen water flowing across the road. The feeder roads and off/on ramps in Houston are famous for putting people in the ditch because the road ahead looks "clear", the wet ramp looks the same as the 8"-20" deep pond across it.

 

[worldbound4now]

Knunajawdge, not sure how 4 mil wet suit would be, if it is a tight fitting one it could cause a restriction behind your knees when riding, 2 mil was the max for me, tried 3mil, too restrictive as it tries to fold over it self behind the knees, so """be aware of that""".i cut a small diamond shape out the back of the kness then had it rejoined so as to stop the problem arising again,

The chin/face/neck guard I used reminded me of a wet suit and had me pondering the idea. I'm not a diver nor open water swimmer, so I'd have no other use for the suit. Great info though!

Yes, you must return...
Arkansas All Day...ride some of the best roads in AR...clicky

in 2 1/2 weeks...jes sayin'

Sorry.... running a half-marathon on Nov. 1st. Looks like a fun time though!