Spring brings with it wet roads and riding home in the rain. At Pete's Cycle I come across plenty of beginner and intermediate riders who fear the rain. I can’t blame them. For starters, on a bike you’re absolutely exposed to the elements, and a machine on two wheels just won’t respond as well to puddles and slick roads as a car would. But Tim Dickson at VisorDown says it best when he observes that for many “riding in the rain is such a fearful prospect that they simply don't bother…That's the wrong approach.” In other words, while most will not go out for a “rain ride,” it is absolutely crucial—for safety and practical purposes—to learn to ride in the rain. Sometimes you just can’t wait for the rain to stop. Here are some professional tips, courtesy of Tim Dickson:
· Loosen up: don’t grip too tight. Slump down and don’t sit too erect. If the bike does wobble, the movement will be amplified if you are too tight. Relax as normal.
· Squeeze, don’t grab the brakes: You can brake surprisingly well in the rain, as long as you do so progressively. Also, the most important part here is the initial squeeze. Don’t squeeze too tight right off the bat as that may cause the tire to lock up. Tim also advises the following: “Practicing rear brake skids is a handy skill to learn too, and again will give you more chance of dealing with a panic lock-up, wet or dry, should it occur.”
· Turning: don’t turn too gingerly. The more force is put onto the pavement, the more traction. Don’t accelerate into turns, but don’t slow down too much either. Not using the throttle at all is the worst option.
· Miscellaneous: White stripes, manhole covers, cat’s eyes and many other types of objects in or on the road can be hazardous. If by chance you are heading into something slippery, don’t let the throttle go; if you do, the front tire is more likely to lose control.
Click here to read Tim’s full article, which contains many other tips.
Naturally, all riders need a jacket, and especially so in the rain. We have plenty of options for gear and clothing. Icon, Tourmaster, Yoshimura, Alpinestars, Icon, Thor, Joe Rocket, among many others. With our three locations, there’s no excuse to not have the best gear. Click here for Pete’s Cycle GEAR page.
