Cycling as a Watersport

Riding in the rain is part of life on two wheels, no matter the time of year. Here's how to survive, and maybe even enjoy it as a fun watersport.

A variant of hiking is cycling. It doesn’t take a lot of preparation to enjoy a ride in wet weather, just a comfy bike, a few additional pieces of clothing and a dash of common sense.

Road Grip

When riding in the rain, understand that the road grip is still there, but you must adapt your riding style to find it. If you think of riding on dry roads on a warm day, you will carve through the corners, lean the bike over and take the abundance of grip for granted.

With wet roads you want to stay upright for as long as possible before turning, maximising the grip available to your tyres, particularly when braking. Your brakes are much less effective when wet, so stopping distances will be greatly increased.

You are less visible to other road users so lights in inclement weather are a must, the more the merrier and the brighter the better. A yellow cycling cape with reflective stripes makes you more visible.

When on public roads also consider that puddles tend to form on the inside of the road, where you normally ride. If you have to go around a puddle, make your intentions abundantly clear to all other traffic around you and don’t be afraid to wait until it is safe to do so.

Mudguards (Fenders)

If you're a hardcore all terrain mountain biker, you probably enjoy all the water spray your tyres throw up. It's all part of the wet fun experience, just like a jump into a lake. Unless you're completely soaked and dirty you haven't been on a proper ride.

Mudguards may not look cool but they make wet weather riding a lot more civilized. They also keep the bike cleaner than it would be without them. Some mudguards can be taken off quickly if you choose to ride on the wild side. Head to your local bike store, they will be happy to help you get your bike prepared.

Wet Weather Bike Care

After each rain ride give your faithful road bike a nice wipedown as an expression of gratitude for its reliability. Wash the bike after every wet ride, this will save you money in the long run.

That’s where your water bottle comes in. Grab it and give the spots with road grit a couple of quick bursts.

Remove from your bike all that dirt, mud, and grime that your tires and other components collected on your ride.

Pay close attention to the braking surfaces and drivetrain.

Wipe the chain dry and lubricate your drivetrain, it will last a lot longer. Give it a squirt of lube to keep it working smoothly and prolong its longevity. Use a wet oil based lubricant. Stay away from sprays as when they get wet they go everywhere and are quick to wash off.

And every once in a while, give your bike a deep clean. Check brake pads on a regular basis as they will wear quicker in wet conditions.

Then, make yourself a hot coffee, lay down in a bath, and relax.