Cycling in the Rain – Rain has fallen over our beloved island again──it’s the rainy season! Cycling during a cloudy day might be a pleasant experience since we can avoid the blazing sun. However, when it comes to rain, not everyone finds riding exciting anymore because we have to pay attention to certain things. What are the things that we need to deal with this season? Here we got you covered!
1. Prepare Your Tire For A Better Grip
The slippery road becomes one of the things that you need to be careful of when you’re cycling in the rain. You have to prepare your tire to have a better grip. Simply let the air out of the tires, just reduce as much as 15-20 psi. This will help to provide a larger contact patch on the road, therefore more rubber in contact with the tarmac at all times, even on rough road surfaces.
Using tires with slick tread can also be a good choice since they allow more rubber in contact with the road. Furthermore, you can convert your tires to tubeless tires that are easy to maintain and enable you to lower more pressure than conventional clinchers.
2. Be Seen and Keep the Splash Off with Fenders
Another obstacle that you might encounter when it’s rainy is limited visibility. You sure don’t want to be unseen and be at risk when there’s another vehicle passing by. Make yourself seen by using front and rear lights. Having the bike lights in one set is also useful if you want to ride at night.
Moreover, when crossing the wet roads, there is a bigger chance for you to be splashed with filthy water. Whether it’s on your feet, lower leg, or even your back. Fenders become essential for this matter. Even though sometimes they might not look great, Fenders are must-haves to make riding in the rain enjoyable.
Fenders themselves are available in various types: traditional, clip-on, and MTB style. The traditional fenders are typically found on touring bikes, commuters, and city bikes. They offer great protection but aren’t intended for quick removal. Meanwhile, the clip-on one is suitable for riders who want to equip fenders more simply. Then, as their name suggests, the MTB-style fenders are designed to accommodate off-road bikes.
3. Use Your Brakes Wisely
When it’s not raining, you might be getting used to using the front brake to stop the bike. Try to avoid this during the rain. You can attempt to feather brakes to slow down gradually and use the rear brakes to minimize slip. Another tip, do braking before you start turning so you can be more steady in the corners. Also, don’t do it on the painted lines on the road, because generally they are slick and make it more dangerous in bad weather.
4. Don’t Forget Your Post-Ride Maintenance
After going through terrain full of dirt, you need to clean the bike straight away. Cleaning the full bike is great because it can make your bike lifetime longer. We can’t stress enough how important it is to degrease and lubricate your bike chain. Turn this into a habit so you can maintain your bike in good condition. Also, don’t forget to wipe down your wheel rims and inspect the brake blocks for any embedded grit.
While cycling in the rain is good for solitude and boosting your confidence, remember to stay safe always! We hope that these tips will help you to do that. Happy cycling, riders!