I used to be very anxious over bad weather when I first started cycling more and switched modes of transport at any chance of rain. These days I always have a tiny-pack-size rain jacket and pants with me and plan my commute around the weather radar… but above of all I’ve just got pretty indifferent to rain. Most of the time it’s just a little bit, the few instances it gets more I have the rain gear with me. Thunderstorms that entirely prevent cycling are extremely rare for me.
I ride a lot in my city and thunderstorms can happen several times a week where I live during certain parts of the year. Usually I can plan around them and if it’s really so stormy I don’t think I can bike then it’s usually better if I don’t drive anywhere either.
The main one that gets me is when I pick up my kid from school. Just rain and I’ll bike but if there’s lightning I occasionally need to take the car for safety.
i typically pull over and take shelter (gas station, retail store, etc.) for lightning. it’s pretty rare for it to last a long time, at least where i am. most folks have no problem letting you loiter until the storm passes.
Waterproof jacket and trousers that fits a pannier bag (preferably waterproof also) makes you basically 90% rainproof, especially if the trousers have shoe covers or your shoes are at least a little waterproof. Also, clear glasses avoid raindrops to go into your eyes while riding and allow you to see the road. Like this, only your hands are not covered.
In a drizzle or similar, I bike with a weatherproof jacket. I take the bus or tram if I have to get anywhere in bad weather, but more often I probably don’t leave my home if the weather is bad or there’s a storm brewing.
Disclaimer: I live alone in a major metropolitan area and mostly work from home.
@ansik@Flost888@shortwavesurfer Yeah, I used to cycle with a lightweight waterproof high-vis. I still do sometimes, but at that point I was able to commute by bike; today I WFH. All the insects from miles around would follow me like a cloud - I am not a flower, go pollinate someone else!
In really windy weather, or when I was particularly in need of a good hot chocolate, I’d walk to the train station and take the train (and the cafe) instead.
An e-bike might have made cycling in the wind more practical, though the real danger is gusts.
But … this was Cambridge, England. One of our most bike-friendly cities. And I carefully chose my home so there was a largely off-road cycle path to work.
If you can do that, the advantages are huge, notably for health; building exercise into your daily habits as a necessary part of getting to work is awesome. But it was only possible because I was 1) living alone and 2) could afford to live near enough to work.
I’ve never had a car. But then I’ve mostly worked from home, except for that period.
There are only a few days in the year where the weather is so bad, that you really can’t take the bike. In my region thats ~5 days where there’s really heavy snowfall. Rain should not be an issue, with clothing
For the really bad days I can gladly stay home in my job, but if I couldn’t I would take a cab
Think about how many times in the last year you had heavy rain hitting your windshield while driving a car. Certainly light rain in most places might be more common. I’ve been bike commuting for 1700 miles so far. I have only been caught out in heavy rain once, moderate rain once, and light rain twice. I live in a place with fairly average rainfall. It’s probably rained several dozen times during some other part of the day many of the times I’ve commuted, but the commute itself is 38 minutes (10 miles) and I have usually been lucky. I had a lot of apprehension about weather when I started, but I mostly barely think about it at this point. Just check the radar, and wear appropriate cloths. One thing I mean to get is waterproof rain pants, but it hasn’t really mattered that much so far. I have water “resistant” casual pants, and they work well enough for light rain.
Maybe you live in a place with immense heat or crippling cold. Me, I live outside london, and take my folding bike in the train in to cycle from train station to the office - takes about 30 minutes each way and it’s usually the high light of my day.
Since taking the bike, I think I’ve been caught in (proper) rain thrice. Then you put on some waterproofs and move on. Really not as bad as you think.
What do you do for thunderstorms and nasty weather? I think this is a fantastic idea but weather.
With the money you save it’s nothing to take a cab in truly bad conditions.
I used to be very anxious over bad weather when I first started cycling more and switched modes of transport at any chance of rain. These days I always have a tiny-pack-size rain jacket and pants with me and plan my commute around the weather radar… but above of all I’ve just got pretty indifferent to rain. Most of the time it’s just a little bit, the few instances it gets more I have the rain gear with me. Thunderstorms that entirely prevent cycling are extremely rare for me.
I ride a lot in my city and thunderstorms can happen several times a week where I live during certain parts of the year. Usually I can plan around them and if it’s really so stormy I don’t think I can bike then it’s usually better if I don’t drive anywhere either.
The main one that gets me is when I pick up my kid from school. Just rain and I’ll bike but if there’s lightning I occasionally need to take the car for safety.
Get wet. It sucks, but it’s not the end of the world. Especially if you dress appropriately.
Lightning isnt a concern?
i typically pull over and take shelter (gas station, retail store, etc.) for lightning. it’s pretty rare for it to last a long time, at least where i am. most folks have no problem letting you loiter until the storm passes.
Waterproof jacket and trousers that fits a pannier bag (preferably waterproof also) makes you basically 90% rainproof, especially if the trousers have shoe covers or your shoes are at least a little waterproof. Also, clear glasses avoid raindrops to go into your eyes while riding and allow you to see the road. Like this, only your hands are not covered.
This plus Vessi waterproof shoes. I am an amphibian.
In a drizzle or similar, I bike with a weatherproof jacket. I take the bus or tram if I have to get anywhere in bad weather, but more often I probably don’t leave my home if the weather is bad or there’s a storm brewing.
Disclaimer: I live alone in a major metropolitan area and mostly work from home.
@ansik @Flost888 @shortwavesurfer Yeah, I used to cycle with a lightweight waterproof high-vis. I still do sometimes, but at that point I was able to commute by bike; today I WFH. All the insects from miles around would follow me like a cloud - I am not a flower, go pollinate someone else!
In really windy weather, or when I was particularly in need of a good hot chocolate, I’d walk to the train station and take the train (and the cafe) instead.
An e-bike might have made cycling in the wind more practical, though the real danger is gusts.
But … this was Cambridge, England. One of our most bike-friendly cities. And I carefully chose my home so there was a largely off-road cycle path to work.
If you can do that, the advantages are huge, notably for health; building exercise into your daily habits as a necessary part of getting to work is awesome. But it was only possible because I was 1) living alone and 2) could afford to live near enough to work.
I’ve never had a car. But then I’ve mostly worked from home, except for that period.
I don’t drive my car in severe thunderstorms.
I’ve been caught in painful hail multiple times on my bike. Rain coat plus helmet gets me pretty far.
Good clothing and topnotch hikingshoes, that’s the most important part. My commute is 17min long, so it’s not to long.
Just go, it’s not that bad.
There are only a few days in the year where the weather is so bad, that you really can’t take the bike. In my region thats ~5 days where there’s really heavy snowfall. Rain should not be an issue, with clothing
For the really bad days I can gladly stay home in my job, but if I couldn’t I would take a cab
Think about how many times in the last year you had heavy rain hitting your windshield while driving a car. Certainly light rain in most places might be more common. I’ve been bike commuting for 1700 miles so far. I have only been caught out in heavy rain once, moderate rain once, and light rain twice. I live in a place with fairly average rainfall. It’s probably rained several dozen times during some other part of the day many of the times I’ve commuted, but the commute itself is 38 minutes (10 miles) and I have usually been lucky. I had a lot of apprehension about weather when I started, but I mostly barely think about it at this point. Just check the radar, and wear appropriate cloths. One thing I mean to get is waterproof rain pants, but it hasn’t really mattered that much so far. I have water “resistant” casual pants, and they work well enough for light rain.
Maybe you live in a place with immense heat or crippling cold. Me, I live outside london, and take my folding bike in the train in to cycle from train station to the office - takes about 30 minutes each way and it’s usually the high light of my day.
Since taking the bike, I think I’ve been caught in (proper) rain thrice. Then you put on some waterproofs and move on. Really not as bad as you think.
But cycling in 35+ C? No thanks.
Yeah, it can hit 37.5C without humidity factored in. It can feel as high as 46C with humidity. It rains a decent bit during summer.