Now that heat is dispelling, and rainy season is more present, is indispensable to explore some tips to ride a bike in the rain. Believe us, take certain measures, as small they are, they can save your life in these climate conditions.
The answer to avoid bike accidents during rainy season is logic: don’t ride a bike in the rain. However, whether you want to or you have to, many times we’ll be prey of the storm. From those who ride for pleasure and enjoy the rain drops, to those that the torrential rain takes them by surprise in their way to home or work.
All the cyclists, we’ve been through this situation, that’s why you should take notes of the following…
Tips to ride a bike in the rain
Dazzles from the front and back
Maybe the most important rule of this list; sometimes we can be so cautious when riding in the rain, unfortunately our safety won’t depend of us, but motorists. The truth is that in these conditions, visibility is pretty hard to see another car, and imagine a cyclist. That’s why, you should use light at the front and back, this will help to be more visible on streets. Before going out, charge the battery of these devices and use them when raining during day or night.
Keep dry and again, stand out!
Is never enough to repeat it: during night and rainy conditions is important to make your presence visible to motorists. Bike lights are an element but also the impermeable, transpirable and reflective clothing. If it is more visible, it is better. A reflective raincoat or jacket will work. The important thing is to reflect the vehicle light and being protected from rain and water. An extra point if these is impermeable and breathable clothing, so you won’t sweat, and will be little use that you’re not soaked by rain if you will be soaked by sweat.
Deflate tires, not flat tires
One of the biggest fears of cyclist is to have a flat tire and don’t have the necessary tools to change them, or worst don’t be nearby a bicycle workshop. Now imagine what this means when riding in rain. Ironically, the best thing to avoid this dilemma in stormy days, is to reduce the tire pressure. It will be enough to deflate tires to 10 PSI the front and back wheel. If you’re asking why, is because when deflating tires, allow them to have a better grasp to contact surfaces, as the floor. And will be less probable to slide or slip and then fall.
Brake in Advance!
When talking about slips and skidding is obvious that you shouldn’t ride to high speed with rainy climate. Even though you can get more wet, is better to ride slower. You will have time to dry and take a hot bath. If you’re driving too fast, is very possible that you will skid or your brakes won’t work as they should. That’s why, when raining, is better to have a slow brake in advance. Is vital that you brake progressively, first very slow to delete the water excess in brake pads and then with greater pressure. Increase the distance of braking, by contrast, if you want to stop at the moment and at high speed, it doesn’t matter how strong you tighten the breaks, without the necessary friction when wet, won’t work and answer properly.
Be careful with puddles
If you’re one of those who love to jump and pass on puddles, it would be better you could contain yourself when riding by bike. Other great tip when riding by bike in rain and that would save your life: don’t pass on puddles. These small water formations are extremely tricky. The puddle you pass on can have 1 cm or less of depth, maybe is a bump or a very deep hole that in the best of cases, it will ruin your tire, rim and bike dampers, but in the worst of cases, can cause you a fall if you’re not using the correct equipment, causing you a fracture or injury. If possible, transit on bike ways.
As we mentioned, the use of safety helmet is a live or death matter. Explanations aren’t required, simply and easily, with and without rain, use your helmet and the correct equipment is vital to ride in bike to avoid minimum damages in different accidents.
In addition to all these tips to ride by bike when raining, it isn’t bad to take other measures. Before going out, check in advance the weather forecast. To know the rain probabilities of the day, can be a key factor for you to decide if you can go by bike or is possible for this occasion to go by public transport or walking.
