Do you bike in bad weather?

[sid]

Poorer braking in the rain is a concern. Rain on my glasses is also a big concern. But my biggest concern is lightning, which is extremely common here. I once witnessed lightning hit a power pole about 100 feet from the gas station where I took refuge from the rain. I also had a direct hit to the biggest tree in my yard last year, which was 36 feet from where I was sitting in the house.

[MetroMPG]

I'd be worried - it's getting closer! (What did you do to anger the gods?)

[1.9SDI]

How about the option:
I don't mind the rain as long as it's not windy?
I hate wind!

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by 1.9SDI

How about the option:
I don't mind the rain as long as it's not windy?
I hate wind!

Plus one on the wind. I really dislike the Wind! Panniers catch the wind like parachutes

[Piwoslaw]

I love riding in the wind!
SIKE! The above is true as long as it's blowing from behind

OK, I was hoping this wouldn't come up. I love uphills, though. My favorite part of a bike trip in Arizona/Utah was a 60-mile climb. I loved that more than coming back down the next day. In fact, downhills are always shorter than the climbs. Has anyone else noticed that?

So, I love uphills. But I loath riding in the wind. Maybe it's because I can see the grade of an uphill, but not how fast the wind is blowing, or how it will change in a second or two.

Wind is my archenemy, my nemesis. The prevailing wind here is supposed to be from the west. This was true when I lived west of Warsaw: in the windless morning I commuted east, but the afternoon return always had a headwind. Now I live southeast of the city's center and I've never had a tailwind on my way home. Ever.

I knew some people from Montana or one of the Dakotas and they didn't mind riding in the wind. They said they've probably never gone riding without a headwind so they just got used to it.

Well, I'm a spoiled brat and don't want no more wind!!

[bdesj]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

[SIZE="5"]
So, I love uphills. But I loath riding in the wind. Maybe it's because I can see the grade of an uphill, but not how fast the wind is blowing, or how it will change in a second or two.

I`ve given it a lot of thought over the years, and come to the conclusion that hills are fair and wind is not- that`s why hills are so much better to deal with than wind. Any elevation you pick up you`re guaranteed to get back on the way home, and if you start out with an elevation loss you already know you have to pay it back to finish the ride. Where there`s a grade one day, the same grade will be there, just the same, EVERY day. Wind? Well, you know how that goes. One hill I frequently deal with (up or down, depending on which way I travel) seems to have a built in headwind. I could swear that two riders passing each other in opposite directions will both have headwinds! Maybe the wind there is English and keeps to the left side?

As for the wind/grade combination, I think it`s almost better to deal with a headwind while climbing than when descending because I already expect to work hard while climbing and it`s just so dang demoralizing having to battle my way DOWN a hill in the little ring!

That said, I have enjoyed some truly delicous tailwinds here and there- they`re just few and far between compared to headwinds and croswinds. Murphy at work.

[arcosine]

I stopped riding to work yesterday.

[MetroMPG]

I got beeped at by a car driver today for the first time in ages (residential road) .

The recent snow has the roads much narrower than usual, so no room for him to get past me. Didn't seem to notice we were coming to a stop sign together, where he could get by me afterward. I guess he figured I shouldn't have been on his road!

[kamesama980]

I ride when it's above freezing. two classes I can are 1 mile away and ~1.5 away (other class is 14 miles and I only have an hour to get there including lunch.

I avoid snow/ice because I have skinny street (IE near zero tread) tires. light rain I'll do but I don't like being soaked and cold trying to take tests. IME bike braking issues are 90% rain on the brakes rather than traction. when it is raining I'll tap the brakes every minute till they start to grab just to keep them somewhat clean.

just picked up a cheap mountain bike at a garage sale. few adjustments and some lubing and it oughta be fine. It was cold and damp the day I got it and the rear (normal) brake didn't bite but the front disk brake bit great.

When the weathers nice enough (and longer trips) to I compromise with the motorbike :-D air cooled with carbs doesn't run for crap till it's warmed up tho. ~30 seconds is enough when it's 70+ but lower temps result in standing holding the throttle till it runs on it's own.

[arcosine]

I have been biking to work now every day. Mt last tank of gas, 9.8 gallons, lasted 4 weeks!