Training for a triathlon during the rainy season? Whether you live somewhere where rain is a year-round thing or just happen to be going through the rainy season and want to get some quality bike miles in, being prepared is the most important component for a successful rainy ride. After all, if you’re in the middle of triathlon training, you want to continue to move forward in your training, despite the wet weather.
While a soaking wet bike ride is inevitably going to be less comfortable than a dry ride, there are some things you can do to prepare for a most comfortable bike ride in the rain.
Take a look at these 4 helpful tips for riding your bike in the rain:
1. Invest in Rain Gear
Being physically prepared for biking in the rain is perhaps the first and more important step for riding your bike in the rain. Purchasing a high quality and weather resistant rain jacket is one of the best investments you can make as a triathlete needing to train in outdoor elements. If rain is even a slight possibility when you’re heading out for your ride, toss your rain jacket in your jersey pocket and hit the road. Protecting your shoes from becoming wet is extremely important. Along with protecting your feet, investing in a pair of waterproof bike gloves will save your hands from becoming too wet to maintain a solid grip during your ride. While getting wet and a little muddy are inevitable during a rainy ride, installing splash guards on your bike will keep the majority of the water and rain from splashing up behind you. This will save your backside from becoming a soaking muddy mess and also help keep the water and mess from spraying up into any riders behind you. Protecting your head and face from the rain is another important component of successfully riding in the rain. As rain drops from the sky, your helmet is inevitably going to become wet. Once your helmet becomes too wet, the rain is going to make its way onto your head, creating an uncomfortable biking situation with a soaking wet head. A cycling cap is a great way to deflect the rain from soaking into your helmet. To protect your eyes, invest in a larger style of sunglasses or cycling glasses that will keep rain and mud flying into your eyes throughout your ride.
2. Use a Bike Light
Safety always comes first when training outdoors. Being seen during your rainy bike ride is super important in terms of safety. Drivers often become distracted on the road and there are certainly times during rainy weather where visibility is limited. Other than wearing brighter and reflective clothing pieces, using a bike light both on the front and back of your bike can be an excellent way for drivers to see you.
3. Avoid Painted Lines, Sewers and Manhole Covers
All the above items are extremely slippery during wet conditions. If you do find yourself having to cross over a sewer or manhole cover or even railroad tracks, be sure to cross them perpendicularly and hold your handle bars firmly. The last thing you want to happen while cycling outdoors in the rain is wiping out on your bike and getting injured, preventing you from continuing your triathlon training.
4. Lower Your Tire Pressure
When roads are wet, your tires lose the ability to grip as well as they can in dry conditions. In order to help your tires grip the pavement better, lower the tire pressure to about 100 psi.
Though rainy miles aren’t something triathletes look forward to, doing your best to be proactive and prepared can make your wet ride much more enjoyable.
These 4 helpful tips will help you stay dry, stay safe, and importantly keep your training on track, even if it is raining outdoors. Riding in the rain can take some getting used to but the more physically prepared you are to cycle in the rain, the better experience you will have riding.
Looking for more tips for training outdoors? Contact me today to customize an outdoor training program to prepare you for your upcoming race!
Train Right, Tri Right,
Coach MJ
