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8 tips for biking in the rain

Biking in the rain

Biking in the rain, 8 tips that will help you have a more effective bike run in case of rain. We got these tips from our connections in Portland and Amsterdam. These guys and girls ride the in wet nearly 150 days per year, because of the prevailing weather conditions in their regions.

How does this help you? Even tough you happen to live somewhere where it rains a lot less, it does not hurt to know some tips and tricks, in case you do get caught up in a small shower. Believe me, using these advices you might just end up enjoying your ride.

1. Fenders keep you dry

Install fenders on your bike. This is one of the best advices we can give you. Not only it will keep you dry but fenders protect others as well from splashes or drops of water your bike might throw at them.

2.Keep your brake pads clean.

Wet weather will erode your brake pads faster than any other type of weather. Also consider the fact that when you brake, the wheel needs a full revolution in order to dissipate the water and derbies before the bike actually starts to brake. Plan ahead, ride slowly and brake earlier.

3. Make sure your lenses are clear. 

When riding in the rain it is crucial that you have a clear sight of everything in front of you. Wet roads are slippery so you need to be aware of everything, that is why you should have a pair of glasses designed for riding when wet. The best ones are the yellow ones and never consider to put sunglasses on. You will not see a thing.

4. Your clothes should keep you dry 

Riding while wet makes you feel cold and miserable, and people do tend to get sick after being wet, especially if it is windy. What you should wear is waterproof clothes, like vests or jackets. Underneath all of that the experts say that you should also consider wearing underlines made out of wool or polypropylene. You should also care for your shoes, that is why you should insulate them with neoprene booties. Also consider the fact that you will sweat so a bit of ventilated Gore-Tex fabrics are crucial when riding.

5. Watch out for puddles.

Avoid puddles and oil slips on the streets. These make the asphalt very slippery and you can get into big trouble if you happen to brake or try to corner. Also, you should watch out for traffic markings, leaves and manhole covers as they become verry slippery while wet.

The last thing is to avoid puddles of water as much as you can because you never know what lies beneath them. You never know if that is a small puddle of water or a manhole cover that has been flooded.

6. Cornering techniques

While on wet asphalt, because traction is low you should shift your weight on the outside pedal and try not to lean the bike as much. Speed is essential here, so try not to carry as much speed into the corners as you normally would. Be cautious, and all will be fine.

7. Lights are your friends

You should always have some sort of lighting equipment when riding in the wet. Other drivers or motorists sometimes have their vision impaired when it is raining and you should let them know that you are out there. An inexpensive way of doing this is by fitting your bike with LED strips or lights. Our advice is to set your light for its flashing mode, as it has been proven to be the easiest to spot by others

8. Specialized rain bikes

If you do end up riding in the wet for more than 3 months, we recommend you get a specialized rain bike. These ones are fitted with Led lights, fenders and everything designed to help you ride comfortable while raining.

Alex started biking when he was 5 and never let go of his passion. He first learned how to ride a bike in 3 days he has been mountain biking ever since. Believing that this is the best way to be fit and have a great mental state, he uses his bike everywhere. He is a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of 99bikereviews.com

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