Training in the Rain

what difference does it make be it on the road or off-road if its raining?

dont look for excuses not to go out in the rain, clean the bike when you get back, dry it off, lube chain etc and you will be fine.

I'll train in all but the heaviest rain. I actualy like training in very light rain and will make a point of going out for a soaking.

Although training in the rain isn't always the most pleasant experience, I feel it's the most rewarding, expecially during the summer.
I've noticed that I ride better in the rain, especially when I was racing. Most people lose some of their ability when it's raining, for me it was just the opposite.

Maybe it's because there's more oxygen in the air when it's raining or because water is so efficient in cooling you down... anyway, I lose at least 10% of my abilities when it's over 25deg C

Anyone with similar experiences?

Niek

Redstorm,

Who said training is meant to be, well, fun. It is what is it.

Training/Racing in adverse conditions, which is what we have been doing in the East of the US for most of 2003, is part of the game.

The most beneficial part of training in the rain, snow, sleet, hail, whatever, is that it trains your mind (focus) as well as your body.

Better yet, you really get some people looking at you like you are out-of-your-mind determined. It was raining so hard once (all day) that a police car actually gave me an escort for a while as if to pay his respects for my efforts.

Get the right gear, make sure to oil and vasoline your legs for cold and rainy days, saddle up and ride.

CatSpin

PS - True, best to wipe the bike down and lube when it is all over.

nferyn , I agree with you. I feel and ride a lot better when it's raining. A heavy downpour might not be so good for the performance but in light rain I always manage a better avv.
Another thing I noticed is that I don't need to drink half as much fluids as when it is slightly warmer.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nferyn
Although training in the rain isn't always the most pleasant experience, I feel it's the most rewarding, expecially during the summer.
I've noticed that I ride better in the rain, especially when I was racing. Most people lose some of their ability when it's raining, for me it was just the opposite.

Maybe it's because there's more oxygen in the air when it's raining or because water is so efficient in cooling you down... anyway, I lose at least 10% of my abilities when it's over 25deg C

Anyone with similar experiences?

Niek

In 'normal' air (i.e., not raining) there's already plenty of oxygen -- in fact your body takes in more than it needs -- it just can't utilise all the O2. O2 utilisation being the limiting factor in endurance cycling.

the reasons that you go faster in the rain, are probably related to (a slightly) reduced rolling resistance between the tyres and the road and i'm pretty sure the air density decreases, reducing air drag. also, in my case, i ride harder so i don't get so wet -- it's good motivation!!

Ric

No chance. If it looks like rain I go back to bed. Can't always pick it though, and occasionally get caught in a downpour miles from home.

I commute in the rain though..beats walking through it.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nferyn
Although training in the rain isn't always the most pleasant experience, I feel it's the most rewarding, expecially during the summer.
I've noticed that I ride better in the rain, especially when I was racing. Most people lose some of their ability when it's raining, for me it was just the opposite.

Maybe it's because there's more oxygen in the air when it's raining or because water is so efficient in cooling you down... anyway, I lose at least 10% of my abilities when it's over 25deg C

Anyone with similar experiences?

Niek

I feel the same Niek, but I am sure as Ric stated its not the oxygen, as there should be more then you need in your loungs. Oxygen transport by blood and transfer from blood to muscles are the key area's. Availability in lunghs should be ok wathever the temperature is(unless you are climbing K2 or have a serious ilness maybe)

If you want I can look up and example with some data to prove its not the lunghs or availability in air whats the problem. 5if you want the example just ask)

OK, this strikes me as weird. To me, and I am a noob so I could very well be wrong, the rolling resistance would increase in wet conditions because of the suction of the water/tires/pavement. Additionally the humidity would increase the air density as a larger quantity of moisture would be in the air, and it is harder to push through moist air than it is dry air.

Add to all that the increased weight of the water on the bike and you and I think it would be harder to ride in those conditions than in nice dry conditions.

Personally I dont ride in wet conditions because I am still new enough that I am afraid of wiping out, but with time I hope to overcome that fear.

Allan

i love training in the rain.......

oh...then again....

i do live in england.....

cac......

is it next year yet???

Here is my two cents....

If it is raining light at the start I ride.

If it is raining a lot I sleep or wait to see if it is clear later.

If during the ride it starts raining I ride... I may cut it shorter if I get too soaked or it starts turning colder... Don't risk catching a cold... That would suck.

If I hear thunder or see lightning and I can't ride away/around it I head for shelter. Never ride in a thunderstorm!

Your road bike can take the weather.

Probably the only difference is how you ride...

Be very careful in corners.
Watch out for pavement markers... While and yellow lines, esp new ones, can be very slick. I've seen many people fall just crossing with the line.

Watch out about power strokes. I've had the rear end get loose when I was powering up from a stop light and rolled over a puddle.

Watch out for draw-bridges. Esp ones with metal grates. Those can be very tretourous when wet. Never accelerate on them. Get your speed up to like 10-15mph and then lightly motor across them.

Watch out for train tracks. These too can be esp. slick when wet. Never cross them at any angle other than 90degrees when they are wet (probably even when dry). Also some tracks will have metal plates BETWEEN the rails and these are just DANGEROUS. Be extremely careful crossing them.

ALso some road construction will use large metal plates to hide work-pits on the road. These too are very dangerous in the rain/when wet.

The reason to be more careful about the above, not the bike, is that you will probably be going faster than you would in the mud with your ATB and also if you fall you will fall hard on the pavement or under a moving car.

Other than that... Have fun in the rain!!! :p

JBP

Most the of reply have been from riders in the UK, I can understand why they would ride in the rain. 🙁
I live in Australia and as such don't ride in the rain out of preference, cleaning the bike is such a hasle 😠
I find my preformance increases when the temperature is +35deg C, but that could be something I'm accustomed to. :p

Brian

I'm in South Florida and when it rains it pours. But the good thing is it rains in bursts so you may get soaked in a downpour but soon the sun will be out and soon it will be dry again! 🙂

Quoted post said:

OK, this strikes me as weird. To me, and I am a noob so I could very well be wrong, the rolling resistance would increase in wet conditions because of the suction of the water/tires/pavement. Additionally the humidity would increase the air density as a larger quantity of moisture would be in the air, and it is harder to push through moist air than it is dry air.

I am not sure about the humidity/air density issue, as for the wet roads, it sure makes a difference. THere is so much less resistance on a road slowing you down. WHen riding in a crit., where the floor is much smoother, riders are averaging much higher than in the road races. The rain has a simmilar effect, creating less friction. ITs like hwne you rde on ice, where the friction of the ground is nominal...I wouldn't think the tire actually absorbs enough to water to make a difference, and besides, friction is much more important then weight (think road tires versus mtb tires)

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nferyn
Maybe it's because there's more oxygen in the air when it's raining...

Ya, but unfortunately it's chemically bonded to pairs of hydrogen.

Where the heck did ya ever hear that a saturated atmosphere has more free O2? Perhaps because it lowers temps?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by coolworx
Ya, but unfortunately it's chemically bonded to pairs of hydrogen.

Where the heck did ya ever hear that a saturated atmosphere has more free O2? Perhaps because it lowers temps?

Haven't really hear that anywhere, I guess.
It's probably because I feel that breathing is easier after a rain shower or while it's raining that I came up with it. Could also be because the rain 'washes' away polluted air or because there's less ozone in the air.

I certainly don't claim to have the answers. Anyone has?

Niek

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by maarten
I feel the same Niek, but I am sure as Ric stated its not the oxygen, as there should be more then you need in your loungs. Oxygen transport by blood and transfer from blood to muscles are the key area's. Availability in lunghs should be ok wathever the temperature is(unless you are climbing K2 or have a serious ilness maybe)

If you want I can look up and example with some data to prove its not the lunghs or availability in air whats the problem. 5if you want the example just ask)

Haven't been on the board lately due to family commitments... sorry for not replying in order of posting.

Anyway, is there any good data available on this, I was thinking about the effect of polluted air, ozone etc in hot weather

Niek

Quoted post said:

I was thinking about the effect of polluted air, ozone etc in hot weather

My speculation would be yes the air is probably better purified, uless it is acid rain 🙁 but also the temperature is lower and, as long as it is not too cold, the water is acting as an airconditioner and helping better regulate your body temp.

If its a light rain, I'll go out. Hard rains, forget it! If I'm out and it starts, I won't alter my ride.