My Weather forecast for the next three days. (except the wind is closer to 30mph at the moment(
When your cycling for pleasure, there’s not much incentive to go out in a forecast like this. At least the rain is not cold, the worst is a combination of rain and 3 C.
When the forecast is very bad, I often go out and do some intervals. These sessions can be quite short; in one hour you can do alot of hard efforts. During one hour you can’t get too wet and if you’re sprinting up a hill, rain seems only a minor inconvenience.
The main drawback to riding in the rain is that it is very difficult to get any suitable waterproof clothing. A truly waterproof jacket inevitably starts to sweat inside (at least when you are cycling hard). Waterproof trousers are fine for a 2 mile commute into town, but useless for proper cycling.
Generally, if it is raining, I don’t go out. But, there have been many occassions where it is started to rain in the middle of cycling.
Racing in the Wet
My first 50 mile time trial was a very testing experience. – It rained for the whole 2 hours. Luckily I had the foresight to wear alot more clothes than usual, this was just about enough to prevent me getting too cold. Although, I have never been so glad to see the finish line.
Turbo Training?
Admittedly, the alternative to training in the wet is getting on your turbo trainer and riding for a couple of hours. Generally, I prefer the rain.
I concur; I cycle 350 days a year and rainwear for cyclists is almost useless. I have had failed Goretex jackets by Berghaus, Goretex gloves and Roubaix Goretex cycling trousers; also a ’100% waterproof non-breathable jacket from Lidl! All let most rain straight through and it is NOT ‘condensation’ as they claim. Manufacturers will not accept design input from users as they all have ‘not invented here’ syndrome. All products have design issues in the implementation of membranes. The ONLY hope is to reject ALL current manufacturers and to adopt whatever becomes available in the new flourine-treated fabrics being currently tested by the British Army. They actually WORK!!! I am a professional designer and a VERY wet cyclist! I hope this will shortly change even if I have to go ‘full camo’ on rainy rides!