Road Cycling in the Rain

Cycling in the rain: how to ride rain ready

You look outside. Grey skies, wet roads and the first drops hitting the window. Not exactly the kind of weather that makes you automatically reach for your cycling shoes. Still, a bit of rain does not have to cancel your ride. Especially in autumn, wet roads are simply part of the season. And to be fair, getting home after a rainy ride can feel pretty satisfying. With the right preparation, you stay comfortable, keep more control on the road and can focus on the reason you got on the bike in the first place: enjoying the ride.

Always take an extra layer

Autumn weather can change quickly. You leave under dry skies and an hour later a shower rolls across your route. A lightweight, packable rain jacket is therefore a useful layer to carry as standard. Look for something that keeps out wind and rain, but still packs down small enough to fit into a rear pocket when you do not need it. Ventilation matters too. Keeping rain out is great, but if you end up completely soaked from the inside, it rather misses the point. In short: better to carry it for nothing than leave it at home on the one day you really need it.

Keep your feet happy

Anyone who has ridden the final 40 kilometres home with soaking wet socks knows that rain can make a ride feel especially long around your feet. Shoe covers help protect your cycling shoes and feet from rain, road spray and cold wind. As the temperature drops, that extra protection can make a big difference to your comfort. Gloves can help for the same reason on colder, wetter rides. Warmer hands also help you keep a better grip and feel on the bars. You do not need to wrap yourself head to toe in waterproof gear. Protect the areas where rain tends to take the fun out of the ride first.

Wet roads? Brake a little earlier

Rain does not only change what you wear. It changes how your bike feels too. Wet roads offer less grip. Road markings, drain covers and wet leaves can also become surprisingly slippery. Brake a little earlier, apply the brakes smoothly and take corners with slightly less enthusiasm than you would on a dry summer day. Puddles are worth treating with some caution too. They can be deeper than they look, and whatever is underneath is usually best left as a mystery. So, no need to ride nervously. Just look a little further ahead. Brake a little earlier. Take the corner a little easier. Then get back to enjoying the ride.

Look beyond the rain icon in your weather app

Rain at 15°C feels very different from rain at 6°C with a headwind. Before you set off, check the temperature and wind as well. On a mild autumn day, a thin rain layer may be enough. When it gets colder, you may want a warmer layer underneath, while gloves and overshoes suddenly become much more appealing. And if your ride starts dry? Put that extra layer in your back pocket anyway. Because almost every cyclist has thought: I think it’s going to stay dry. Usually just before it doesn’t.

Give your bike five minutes when you get home

After a wet ride, you probably want a shower and something warm to drink. Fair enough. But before you put your bike away, give it a few minutes of attention. Water, grit and dirt can stick to the frame, chain and drivetrain. Wipe away the worst of it, dry the bike where needed and check whether the chain needs some fresh lubricant. It does not have to turn into a full cleaning session. Five minutes now mainly means you can simply get on and ride again next time. Then you have definitely earned that warm shower.

Rain changes the ride. Not why you ride.

Let’s be realistic. If we could choose between blue skies and pouring rain, most of us would probably make the same choice. But not every good ride starts with perfect weather. Sometimes the rides you nearly skipped at the front door are the ones you remember. Empty roads, fresh air, mud splashes on your legs and that extra feeling of satisfaction when you get home. So if rain is in the forecast, dress for the conditions, put an extra layer in your pocket and give yourself a little more room on the road. You do not have to love the rain, but you can still have a great ride.