Whether you live in a state 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 keep up on your logged miles to be
ready for your race.
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 7 helpful tips for biking in the rain:
1. Invest in a Compact and High Quality Rain Jacket
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.
2. Purchase Waterproof Over Shoes and Gloves
There’s truly nothing worse than having to exercise in soaking wet shoes. 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.
3. Install Splash Guards to Avoid a Wet and Muddy Mess
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.
4. Wear a Cycling Cap Over Helmet/Eyewear to Protect Eyes
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.
5. Use a Bike Light
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.
6. 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.
7. 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 5 helpful tips will help you stay dry, stay safe, and importantly keep your training on track.
Need more tips for training outdoors? Contact me today to customize an outdoor training program to prepare for you for your triathlon.
Train Right, Tri Right,
Coach MJ
