Do you ride in the rain? At night?

[billk7457]

I was set to ride to work this evening, and a banner splayed across the top of the TV screen that warned of "severe thunderstorms." I decided to take the truck instead. When I headed home, it was raining, and I began to think about the rain. I recently got a set of Frogg Toggs so I might not get soaked when I ride in the rain. Now, want to get one of those wiper things to squeegee the water of my helmet visor. At any rate, I was wondering if you ride in the rain, if you ride in the rain at night, and what advice you might share about any of this.

[Wrider]

I've ridden in rain, at night, in snow, etc.

My best advice is to know your own limits. If you're not ok with it, you're going to be tight, which is bad for you and your safety.

Overall? Stay loose. Remember that you're gonna have to take corners a bit slower and don't override your headlight.

[montanalifter]

I have pushed the limits and ridden in snowstorms that would scare you in a car, rain, and night riding. Try not to get in those situations anymore, it increases the danger level exponentially. Still nite ride but slow waaay down. Ride with the headlight on highbean almost exclusively don't care if someone flashes me, too bad. On a two lane no problem will turn it down, but on the interstate where there is 50 or 100 yards between traffic, really? Nite riding in rural areas is tough, already made it through a deer encounter last september but my triumph did not.

[Thumper]

I'm night blind, so I neither ride nor drive at night; I ride for fun, and rain is no fun, so unless I get caught by surprise rain, I don't ride in it, either. Same thing with really high winds...I *can* but I don't enjoy it, and if I'm not going to enjoy it, I might as well take the car.

[BRUMBEAR]

I actually enjoy riding in the rain sometimes it is so refreshing but night is tough for me I can't see so good at night even with the HID headlights.

[billk7457]

I work a split shift-- 8:30 to 11:30 and then again 5:30 to 8:30. So, except for a few months when the light is longer, I am riding in the dark in the morning and the evening. I don't mind the dark, and I don't really mind the rain either. But when it is dark and rainy, I prefer to be in a covered vehicle. Unfortunately, my other vehicle is a truck getting 13.5 miles/gallon, whereas, the bike gets 45 mpg. So, it kinda becomes an economic issue.

[ceemes]

When I was a motorcycle courier back in the early 90's, I round year round no matter what the weather. I would still be out there making my pick ups and deliveries while more than a few of the boys with trucks and cars would be sitting warm at home instead of braving the snow and ice covered streets. Back then, Vancouver was pretty much guaranteed to get two to three heavy dumpings of snow each winter, now we are lucky to get the odd light dusting.

These days however, I only ride 9 months of the year and put the bike away at the first sign of ice on the road, that first hint is usually when I lightly apply the brakes and my rear wheel locks up as I slide thru an intersection, which at 4 in morning is scary, but generally fairly safe as long as you lean on your horn and keep her upright.

My riding season usually starts in mid February at the latest until mid November. I ride come rain or shine and actually rather enjoy riding in the rain when it is dark out more then when its daylight for some reason. Riding in the rain can be challenging, especially when you ride into a micro burst and you think you are swimming in a river instead of riding on the road. Snow and ice are dodgy but can be dealt with if you are very careful. The only thing that i do fear most of all weather wise is hail. I will not ride in hail, first it hurts like hell when it hits you at speed and secondly, its like riding frozen frictionless ball barings.

[blues2cruise]

I'll ride in the rain in the daylight or in the dark if it's dry.

[Grey Thumper]

I actually enjoy riding in the rain during the daytime. But rain + night freaks me out. The drops on my face shield refract light so visibility ends up going to hell.

[jstark47]

I'll ride in the rain in the daylight or in the dark if it's dry.

This.

I ride in the rain. I ride at night. I don't do both together.

[blues2cruise]

I'll ride in the rain in the daylight or in the dark if it's dry.

This.

I ride in the rain. I ride at night. I don't do both together.

That's what I meant to say.

[ceemes]

I actually enjoy riding in the rain during the daytime. But rain + night freaks me out. The drops on my face shield refract light so visibility ends up going to hell.

Weird, I find the opposite to be true. Rain on visor during daylight hours caused my vision to be more buggered up then at night. Nice thing about the Connie is at speed, rain is force down off the visor even tho my head is well above the windshield. On the Sabre, it was a horror show no matter what time of day, rain just splattered my visor and sat there.

[a_hippie]

Yes and yes. I don't really mind the rain--drizzle on the other hand is a bugger! I love riding at night when the weather is good. No traffic and rarely see wild life on the road. I am getting older now, the peeps aren't as good, so I slow it back. Hard rain is dangerous and YES, your bike can and will hydroplane and it is not enjoyable--you have to keep speed down and mind your cornering like you had turned into a church nun! Visibility is always a challenge--I have both a wind screen and visor. Take it easy and enjoy the ride!

Regards,

[gsJack]

I did both for many years, went anywhere anytime back when I was a kid of 70. Would go out in heavy rain just to do it. Now I don't ride after dark anymore and only ride in the rain to get home when I get caught. Time marches on and now I'm happy just to be still riding.

[jstark47]

Time marches on and now I'm happy just to be still riding.

Jack, you're an inspiration to me. I hope to be even half as active as you when I'm the age you're at now. My hat is off to you!

[roscowgo]

About the only thing I won't venture out on is ice and snow.

And that's not because I don't want to. I'm just too lazy to pick my big fat cruiser up off of the ground 7-8 times.

[abrahambeckers]

Riding a bike in the rain is really an amazing thing and you have to tried it at several times. Some times you have to take care about some thing in the rain because many accidents are happen in the night because of slippery roads and all.

[MmeMagpie]

Ain't nothing like riding in bad weather. Bring our your best profanity and have a ball! I'll ride in anything that won't stick to the road and turn into ice. Been through some pretty vicious microbursts - hail, wind shear, lightning so close I could taste it, the works. I don't seek these things out, but I sometimes can't avoid them. I never stop when I find myself in the middle of something nasty, just ride through to the other side.

[jstark47]

I never stop when I find myself in the middle of something nasty, just ride through to the other side.

I stop when it's raining so hard I can't see where the road is going.
(But that normally only lasts a couple minutes)

[MmeMagpie]

I just slow down until I can see enough of where the road goes. Beats pulling off onto a soft shoulder and dumping into a cactus