10 Mistakes Cyclists Make When Riding In The Rain

[@gcn]

What mistakes have you made when riding in the rain? Let us know in the comments 👇

[@gabrielham6018]

Poncho link www.vaude.com/en-INT/Equipment/Eco-Fair/Green-Shape/40/Covero-II-Rain-Poncho

[@gabrielham6018]

a little pricey but good

[@apm9507]

I forgot to put on my rain bonnet over my helmet yesterday when it was a mix of freezing rain and sleet on my velomobile ride. I need to get a baseball cap visor to keep the freezing rain off my glasses.

[@dominicstokes4424]

where do u guys film this is beautiful

[@apm9507]

Freezing fog is the worst. Suddenly you can't see, the cars can't see, and the previously bone dry road becomes an Olympic ice rink. It just looks like fog but at 5K feet it becomes freezing fog. Lots of cars in the ditch. The best plan I have is to get off the road and into the dirt by the side of the road if I am on my fat tire bike. On my velomobile I get over too but wait 20 minutes and watch a GCN+ show while I drink coffee and blow hot coffee breath over my phone so it doesn't ice up and obscure my GCN+ show.

[@upelayov]

I'm a car driver and a cyclist and you don't only need lights when cycling during rainy days. It really makes you much more visible always, no matter the weather conditions.

[@cilldaracyclist2822]

Yep would have to agree, anytime I get on my bike no matter the weather or time of day the lights go on, extra visibility can't hurt

[@SLOPPEWALL]

Yes, I use a strobe front and tail light in the day no matter what the weather conditions are. Nighttime... enough lights that I probably near the level of obnoxious, but it is better than being a dead cyclist story on the local six o'clock news.

[@cilldaracyclist2822]

@@SLOPPEWALL yeah I'm the exact same, during the day I usually use smaller flashing lights, something like 60 lumen on the front and 15 on the back but at night......I have them plus a few others, a 1000 lumen headlight, and a 260 lumen rear, usually at night I'll have up to 8 lights on the bike front and back, may seem like overkill to some but I don't wanna be on the news either, ironically enough drivers don't always see me even with all the lights...

[@jimihenrik11]

I second that. That why my commuter has a hub dynamo and lights. I just never turn them off.

[@armadillito]

@@SLOPPEWALL just be wary of setting your front lights up to look like a larger vehicle further away in poor conditions. Two similar large white lights side by side can have that effect apparently.

[@davidsullivan7290]

I run front and rear blinking lights all the time. Even on sunny rides; often cars don't see you when you go in and out of sun and shadow (trees on the side of the road).

[@rafaelmalho9353]

I ride with the rear light all year, to increase safety

[@HiopX]

road markings are especially slippery when wet.

[@h2obubbli]

had a massive fall once because of this, my hip didnt enjoy that at all :(

[@iann23]

And the tram tracks in Geneva city centre.

[@HiopX]

@@iann23 Shouldn't you avoid tram tracks regardless of weather?

[@iann23]

@@HiopX need to cross them somewhere, same with cattle grids

[@KermitFrogThe]

That joyous mix of glass and paint we 2 wheelers all love. Same as the nice grippy metal manhole covers that are always in the ideal riding line on bends. That's more for motorbikes unless roads are clear enough but still annoying.

[@Gabepedaler]

Mistake number one when riding out in cold rain: trying to talk and film a GCN video.

[@TimIrwin26]

My last really wet ride was an 85 mile ride, 37* F (3* C) at the start. I was the only one in the group with fenders. Fenders are great for keeping mud of off yourself, but also _much_ nicer to ride behind in a group. Of course now that I have a bunch of nice cold / wet weather gear, I end up on Zwift on most of the days where I might use it.

[@SC-kq7yj]

being dressed black completely and not adding extra reflectivity, next to a blinkyblinky back light.

[@arsaeterna4285]

3:50 I thought I was peak down and then the wind was like oh dude, let me fix that for you, it's actually peak up

[@iain_iain_iain]

Love that you cycled the Rhigos mountain when talking about rain 😂😍. Used to love cycling up that road, even in the rain!

[@davepratt9909]

I don't even like when it rains in Zwift!

[@bredemeijer9648]

I like the wet in Swift!

[@jedisdad2265]

Seems that GCN presenter HATE HiViz Colors. Black tends to blend into the murky dark of rain. Much better to have a HiViz color rain jacket.

[@JiKimbo]

Seems they hate lights too

[@nuttycommuter3718]

It doesn’t make any difference in terms of likelihood to have a collision with a car driver.

[@fellrunner1975]

Good vid. I’m an advocate for bike lights in all conditions and wearing hi viz since I was knocked off my bike last year and broke my elbow. I still don’t get why so many riders wear black. Surely the idea is to be visible and to be seen. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@frinkie]

Ninja Cyclists. I don't quite understand it either.

[@applejuice5297]

I would agree in dark conditions. Hi viz doesn’t make you any more visible in light conditions. The same could be said that all cars should be bright yellow.

[@artemisxo6734]

i'm a mountain biker, for me rainy days mean sticking to the gravel and switching my spds (if i'm using them) for flats, mostly to wear my ride concepts hellion shoes. they're incredible in rain and mud

[@richfox1255]

I ride in the rain for a good chunk of the year in Portland, Oregon. I prefer waterproof socks from Seal Skinz or Dexshell worn under my shoes. Much easier to deal with than booties and very effective at keeping me warm and dry. At the end of a ride, my cycling shoes, socks and gloves go on a boot dryer so they’re ready for tomorrow.

[@behanseck]

I know this an old post. I live just south of you. Are you wearing a normal sock under your waterproof ones? My feet get crazy cold.

[@richfox1255]

@@behanseck The waterproof socks I wear I both have a merino wool inner layer, so I don’t wear anything else under them. Between the wind blocking of the membrane and the merino, I’m pretty comfy for a few hours riding in Portland rain.

[@cavemanindustries5102]

I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to be comfy ish riding in Portland this winter. Thank you for the intel!

[@dundrumleith]

Make sure to dry a rechargeable light if it has been out in the rain, so as not to short out the port when you next recharge it.

[@vkzkv]

It would be great if GCN would make a video about what clothing to use in different temperatures/conditions or what to buy for a "starter pack" for a newbie road/gravel cyclist

[@simonr7097]

I bought dedicated rainproof cycling shoes with an integrated neoprene "sock", and while they are more expensive than overshoes, they are also much easier to put on, and therefore much more useful. Too often I used to find myself not bothering to put the overshoes on, thinking "it's not THAT wet" and arriving at my destination with soaked feet.

[@secretagent86]

as a young racer i loved a good rainy race. it cooled down my body temperature and i tended to give much better performances. now that i am in my 60s i don't START a ride in the rain, but if it does rain i just find it refreshing and know i will be home within one hour (i don't do three hour plus rides except in great weather) I use rear light always now.

[@muza-]

Great to hear you're still cycling in your 60s. How would you say it's kept your body healthy? Compared to those that didn't cycle consistently?

[@wibblemu9]

Riding without a mud guard, only took 2 rides before I went out to buy one

[@jamiewellbourn3609]

I picked up a nice pair that work great to keep me protected, but they don't hug the wheels and only stick out straight. Great for me, not so much for anyone directly behind Lol

[@fergusdenoon1255]

Puddles are good for finding puncture holes.

[@jamiewellbourn3609]

Puddles stress me out for this reason, it's impossible to know what's under them!

[@KermitFrogThe]

@@jamiewellbourn3609 I had a cage dweller stop and give me grief for riding around a puddle. I asked him to ride through it to find out if there was an open manhole cover,stone etc. in there. He declined in a huff. I think this is just not understanding how different things are a hazard to different vehicles. For instance I am not scared of traffic jams in the slightest.

[@rahulkarira]

You forgot an important one "not braking too aggressively, specially the front brakes, because of higher chances of slipping and crashing"

[@secretagent86]

excellent point

[@Jonas_Willems]

Mistake 1: going for a ride in the rain

[@sventice]

I live near the northwest coast of North America; if I didn't ride in the rain, I would hardly ride at all. Fenders, lights, and rain gear make it a very tolerable experience.

[@diviscadilek1764]

It's a bit of a different situation when you've got a training plan that basically forces you to get out and ride, no matter the weather. Also, usually a bad weather ride gets better once you warm up, provided you wear the right clothing.

[@andiimau1]

There’s the mistake of not avoiding painted lines or metal , especially if turning. Learnt that mistake the hard way.

[@clacclackerson3678]

I bought a belt-drive bike for riding in the rain. It has revolutionised how I view wet-weather cycling. No more endless drive-train maintenance!

[@PaulRiezebos]

Forget about the riding in the rain mistakes, Someone forgot the gcn-logo intro at 0:43 😯

[@mattburkey8393]

Crikey!

[@leanneearle3652]

I just invested in overshoes after suffering last winter with wet, freezing feet. I have to say my feet have never been happier on the bike!

[@ronaldgjosey1254]

There is another option that was missed. A Mirror, I only used to use a mirror while Touring on unfamiliar Roads, ETC. For the past 15 years I won't even ride without one on my Road Bike. When the vehicles are approaching from the rear you can see them most times before they see you.

[@MarkSmithSa]

I find they also see you looking at them in your mirror which gives them a moral choice to move out or not.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

couple entries in this vid about clothing, but completely depends on temps. summer rain is a totally different thing from winter rain. in the summer i'm already sweaty and being wet from rain vs being wet from sweat is not a big difference and i don't bring special clothes

[@tomstricklin3409]

I rode in a hot summer rain once, it felt like the moisture was coming from both directions, like being steamed.

[@jamesthecyclist597]

Yeah I made a rain mistake once. Super slippery tarmac. Locked up both brakes trying to avoid a crash with some runners, ended up falling and sliding 15 ft on my side with my bike on top of me.

[@rogersimmons8788]

Not checking the weather forecast when deciding whether to ride or not.

[@wallacewestmeath]

in ireland , the forecast means nothing .. 4 seasons in one day :)

[@tomstricklin3409]

HTFU

[@Av1Spitzer]

never seen anyone so excited by a rain jacket, its like Ollie wants it to rain just to wear his 'rain cape' btw, nice new oakleys

[@sventice]

I never ride anywhere without rain gear; it's just good sense.

[@mattmcgyver9244]

Sharing a puddle with an opposing van...wave from the 6" deep puddle displaced by the van went over my head. (also not a good idea to ride into a puddle you can't see the bottom of)

[@laszlozoltan5021]

is that a puddle or pothole? "pothole", def. noun, a smelly canadian cannabis smoker getting in an already occupied elevator on a wet day

[@Terrierized]

Yes I saw a friend being funny by charging a puddle, only to find it was a pothole Not funny

[@kskdtr]

I love the look the drivers give me when passing by under pouring rain....

[@jujuryan9632]

Oh yea, I do as well 😀

[@piptazo1]

What about allowing extra distance for braking? That is far more important than anything that you have mentioned.

[@KermitFrogThe]

Less of an issue with discs, but agreed. I spent years on rim brakes and love how comparitively consistant discs are.

[@JonFairhurst]

I’ve got one: don’t use carbon wheels and rim brakes in the rain (Ollie.) Not only does that grit wear down your drivetrain, but it wears down your wheels too. Plus they stop poorly, which almost killed me once.

[@jamesrosar3823]

Wool socks. Thin, high % wool dress socks can be layered, and can keep squishy feet from becoming life-threatening, while not becoming too hot for the rest of a ride. Water has a way of getting into even good winter boots, so you may as well expect it. And if you actually are “planning” to ride in the dark and/or rain, bring spare blinkies in case your primaries *ever* crap out. Even the tiniest blinky is far better than having nothing in the dark!

[@e3dave744]

Yeah,, some nice Marino wool socks👍👍

[@remitournier2526]

Mistake #11 : Riding a dura-ace 12k Pinarello in the rain! :p

[@thelesserzdoctor2345]

Ha!! EXACTLY my thoughts too!!! There’s a reason we have winter bikes!

[@glennnicholls8510]

Wearing glasses. If you go out with rain and spray pouring into your eyes it's not only really unpleasant but gives the impression the weather is much worse than it really is.

[@cornelbacauanu1544]

Great advice. Thank you.

[@leedorney]

Ive always took a little roady cap with me to put under the helmet (buy a few and cut slits in the one and you can vary the temperature) keeping the solid one for v.cold conditions, a light shell on top of your clothing tho they fail in a total downpour..then your down to keeping the blood moving and having a very good base layer on!

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

My rainy weather ensemble: hi-viz yellow jacket, Zefal Swan mudguards, front and back LED lights, goretex casquette under helmet, shoe covers. Be seen, be safe, cycle happy!

[@EdwinCCho]

Not having a dedicated rain bike with full length fenders/mudguards permanently mounted (n+1)

[@paddyotoole2058]

Agreed. This is the way to go.

[@Terrierized]

Good idea

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Check out *Zefal Swan* , they are good detachable mudguards.

[@omgahandlelol]

My mistake is always waiting to long to clean the drivetrain after wet/rainy rides.

[@urbanjungle9600]

Another tip - put your phone in a ziplock/drybag. You’ll thank me for it. 👍🏻

[@johansauser2661]

Fun fact : Day-time running lights are mandatory in Switzerland for cars :)

[@trevornorman7563]

biggest mistake i ever made was only taking a set of wheels with silk tubs on to ride a tt lovely and sunny in kent really tipping down in essex. really found out at the age of 15 that silks do not like wet weather, now 60 and never did that again

[@inspiredtotired8369]

Ollie, don't forget the first MOT is due on that car on the 23 November 2023 and the tax is due on the 1st December 2021😉

[@kevinhowardgraves]

I haven’t made any of those mistakes yet, I just started riding 😂 I have to take it slow as I have cerebral palsy but got my first ever road bike and am beyond thrilled. Slow and steady for me, but I have no doubts I’ll make these mistakes a few times lol.

[@kevinfrost1579]

Outstanding ! Wishing you many happy rides ..............about mistakes we all do it ...... I've made plenty :).

[@toddbrady7502]

Mistake when riding in the rain....is riding in the rain. Visor down....great video.

[@jascollinscork]

Great video..... good tips!!! Is the Vauxhall part of the product placement too.....🤔😀

[@tyronebrown9936]

Goretex socks will keep you drier than most over shoes. If you ride in hot Esther you’ll sweat in a jacket. If you ride in cotton socks without protection you’ll get blisters. I ride across the USA 3 times and learned the goretex socks lesson quite by accident. Bought them on a whim and they are 1000% the most important rain kit of all. $50- well spent.

[@paulbrookes6121]

That’s a sunny day over The Rhigos!

[@delkim3691]

Garmin Varia Radar all the time!!! Super bright tail light!

[@l3gaming27]

I enjoy rainy rides in the summer but it always feels like the bike gets trashed afterwards and bb30 bottom brackets love taking in all the grit after a rainy ride :(

[@xosece]

great tips. How about wax for wet conditions? I am planning on using it all year long, if it is good for wet it should work on any other kind of weather, right?

[@paulhopkins3815]

Not too sure about reducing tyre pressure when it rains. When I rode the 2019 prudential because the weather was abysmal The general advice was to reduce tyre pressure. Following continental’s advice I didn’t whereas many of my fellow riders did and some suffered several punctures. So, when riding in the wet perhaps you should follow the manufacturers advice.

[@willemrm4033]

Biggest mistake was to believe the gloves manufacturers that their gloves are waterproof. if one wears the gloves at wrist level on top of the jacket as in the video they will get wet inside pretty quickly. If needed I put plastic over gloves on, and plastic bags on my feet. It also helps (a bit) to put the trousers straps not around the feet but around the shoes/over shoes , so less water slips into them. As i only wear my older clothes in bad weather I don't really care for mudguards with slick tires, bike has to be cleaned anyway and clothes washed.. and a wet bum/legs don't really bother me unless it also gets really cold.

[@robertwiley7744]

Biggest mistake is letting the rain be an excuse for not riding my bike.

[@cathiek8028]

Have lights on my helmet, as well - just in case rider and bike get separated (heaven forbid) when a problem arises and because with any bike I ride, I have lights with me. I'm really surprised that more helmet makers don't offer versions with lights! Thanks for the info.

[@garynicholas4334]

I topped up my pressures yesterday. Went out and got caught in the rain. Thought it would be a good idea to pick up the pace to get home quicker.. lost both wheels on a bend at 20mph. Road rash, bruises, ruined a £70 jacket and my new Deore XT"s. If only I'd thought of letting a bit of air out of my tyres. Doh!

[@MrCyclist]

I rode in the rain and snow to work everyday for 10 years to retirement. Now I don't do it and ride everyday only when dry. I live where it hardly rains so if it does rain I take a rest day. It is that simple and enjoyable.

[@AndiChg]

That hand shaking holding the light, due to cold. Haha

[@nickw6175]

the biggest mistake is not stopping when it gets really bad. Thats what trees have evolved for over millions of years simply for riders to wait under until the rain eases.

[@monty2078]

works well in a thunderstorm of course

[@javaquickscope7300]

Nice to have the honor of being one of the first people to see this vid, Thanks

[@seniorcycling5352]

Ollie was perfect for this video, even the rain drops him

[@daviddoran1682]

Completely hopped myself on some road markings last in wet slippery conditions.

[@anthonyoleary224]

Filmed up the Rhondda/Rhigos, if I’m not mistaken.

[@blackcyclist]

GCN: what's your biggest Mistake riding in the rain? Me: riding in the rain!

[@declanfaughey8471]

Cycling in the rain just any Irish cyclist and we call it our day off.

[@williamaylmer2194]

The other reason to use mudguards is so as to not spray your mates trying to follow behind.

[@franmcgowan4068]

Rain is the perfect time to head into the hills on the single speed mtb, the heavier the betterer :)

[@michaelstewart2264]

Love riding in the rain....in Hawaii🤙.

[@meonabike]

What rear light is Ollie using? Looks handy ☺️

[@thenine83]

I'd love to know how a peak stops road spray getting in your eyes. It comes from the road, not the sky.

[@JacanaProductions]

Often said if I could tow that little island couple of thousand miles south it would be the perfect place to live as for me I’ll stick here in sunny CO :)

[@mgrant6607]

Gore makes a riding hat made out of the same material as its high end riding cap. Bring both.

[@stuart3901]

Also bring a couple dry towels and put at least one your carseat!

[@dervanige]

Wouldn‘t stuff my tights into the overshoes -> Rain pours in your “white kicks”

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

If anyone's wondering what cycling glasses brand and model those are, they are *Oakley Jawbreaker* .

[@clayeewing]

Using public roads means being a part of the traffic mix, and lights make perfect sense. All the time. As does a mirror (mine's on my eyewear, also worn all the time for protection and, well, to look cooler than I am). Racing is one thing since it's a "closed course", but using public roads to ride we need a measure of protection we don't have to think much about inside a car. Seeing and being seen (and following traffic laws) seems pretty basic.

[@Reedys_Digest]

There’s a saying in the West of England where you guys film that if you don’t like the weather wait a minute!

[@balazshruboczki746]

Where was this filmed? Seems an amazing location

[@lebowskii98_9]

It's definitely Wales as the road markings say Araf as well as Slow. Thought one of the shots looked like the Rhigos climb and another Aberdare to Maerdy. Couldn't say for sure though.

[@neilday1138]

It's the Rhigos mountain and he rode from the Rhondda side😁

[@EmmaLouUK]

Yes this is the Rhigos Mountain Road, this approach is from the village of Treherbert (South Wales) I saw my house in the background on some of the shots 🤣 currently hammering down with rain. The Dragon ride recently came over the Rhigos and went over the Bwlch both mountains have been used in GCN videos.

[@junerey6680]

I made all those mistakes in the past. Actually, I still do today.

[@jbratt]

Rain is ok. Cold is ok. Rain and cold, not so ok.

[@grad83]

for more speed!! does not reduce the pressure is great to drive on a clean and wet road

[@jujuryan9632]

I fell in love with Ollies car...

[@SioLazer]

tire pressure! I got a snake bite puncture from riding in the rainy dark over a sunken sewer cover. I had probably not put air in my tires for about a week at that point. Since then, I'd been religious about riding at full pressure year round. It wasn't until this past winter when I started rolling my 23s at 80 PSI! I'm a tiny lady so what the hell was I thinking 125 psi?! A pound of pressure for each pound I weigh?! NUTSSSSS! Also, peak down and lenses year round.

[@ericclaire-helenerfletcher9433]

also apply a wet lube to the chain did a grandfondo with dry lube start was wet light rain cleared up ended up with a dryed out lube with over half distance to go once arriving back at start my friend said he could hear the chain . it cost a chain and a cassette

[@aadamdavids8499]

Big Love From South Africa 🇿🇦 🙌🏻

[@cb6866]

Cool....Be safe . Wales , eh?

[@nuclearbanana1631]

great video!

[@becker517]

Don’t go cheap on rain gear that restricts your motion, which I did on day 1 of 7, attempting 1270 miles tour of Michigan Great Lakes. Cheap rain pants led to serious knee pain and only making it 4 of 7 days.

[@DonutEndurance]

Only someone in the UK would think not bringing a rain cape is a mistake.

[@Rover200Power]

I've never adjusted my tyre pressure once for rain, and I've not been even slightly killed.

[@dh7314]

Me neither, nobody does

[@garyboyle695]

@@dh7314 mountain bikers do.

[@dh7314]

@@garyboyle695 the video is specific to road bikes.

[@Terrierized]

Always check the radar, not so bad me copping a shower, but I dread so much as a splash on my machine lol

[@Phonamana]

5:35 An Ass saver. Brilliant! I have seen those before and I had no clue what they were. I thought the riders were carrying extra spokes. LOL Now I know what the thing is for.

[@GorgeGeorg]

The absolutely most important thing is that your rain cape is the wrong colour. It should be bright yellow (or some other bright colour). The rain typically gives automobile drivers 'tunnel vision' , and along with the rain on their windshields, that makes cyclists in dark colours practically invisible (thumbs down for the most important 'mistake'). Also, watch out for oil spots on the road. The water on the road will lift the oil up, and you've got a surface more slippery than black ice, and no matter how low the pressure in your tires (front especially) any turning action on such a surface will result in a wipeout.

[@Dimashoey]

Ollie got shaky hands 2:00-2:07..UK weather!

[@ftwdubstepftw]

Would be nice to have the link to that tire pressure chart.

[@kes_____]

My friends said it's common sense, but it wasn't for me. If you have any water left in your bidons spray your bike. Or at least dirties parts before putting the bike into a car or anywhere you don't won't want too much dirt. Obviously, wash it properly once you have a chance