How to BIKE COMMUTE in the RAIN

[@damianhla]

First thing to do after a wet ride is to rinse your bike with tap water and a brush to remove all the salt and sand. Water alone doesn't cause too much corrosion, but add in some salt in sand, it will only takes hours before your chain starts to rust. Leave it to air dry then before your next dry, add a few drops of ceramic lubricant and you will be good. I have been commuting on my eMTB to work for many years, each day covering 60km. I ride in hot 45C summer as well as winter crazy wind and rain. I service my own bike and has pretty much has encountered and repaired everything that can possibly go wrong with a bike 😅

[@BroadwayBiker]

yes, salt is such a villain for bike commuters! Winter salt and sand always kills me, no matter how careful I am. Maybe one day I'll get a belt drive and see how that fares.

[@damianhla]

@@BroadwayBiker yes belt drive is the way to go and also internal gear hub. Too bad the Shimano version is not very reliable and Rohloff is very expensive. A good indicator for the salt issue is, if the standard 304 Stainless steel hardware starts rusting just after a week or two exposure to the rain, it is an indication that the wind and rain in your area contains sufficient salt content to accelerate the corrosion. In the area i live in, it only takes 2 weeks before 304 stainless starts to develop rust on surfaces. For me 316 marine grade stainless is a must. Titanium excels in resisting salt corrosion. So i swapped out all the screws and bolts that has shown signs of rusting with either Titanium or 316 Stainless screws. If the area the screw secures undergoes repeated stress cycles and vibrations, do not use titanium as overtime metal fatigue is likely to occur and the screw will break like butter as you unscrew them. Use 316 stainless instead.

[@BroadwayBiker]

@@damianhla thanks for sharing this great advice! I hope others see this comment and can use it!

[@Bramfly]

Just use a Dutch traditional bike, chain guard, mud guards and coat guards. Hardly any maintenance needed, once a year maybe.

[@Deallen1989]

This is a badass video! All positive, budget inclusive, practical tips for all of us who want to bike to wherever we're going in whatever weather is happening!

[@BroadwayBiker]

Wow thanks for the great feedback!

[@joesragman8717]

Great vid. Took me a couple of rain seasons to learn what you taught in a few mins. The trash bag to protect from biker butt is new one for me, and will always carry one from now on. Thanks

[@BroadwayBiker]

If you don't have waterproof shoes you can wear sandals, or try one of the plastic bag methods.1) bring an extra pair of shoes and put your socked-feet inside the bags, and then the bag inside your shoes 2) Put your feet, shoes and all inside the plastic bags and tie secure!

[@shaneraine8081]

That's what I do.

[@BroadwayBiker]

@@shaneraine8081 works pretty darn good!

[@limeallens6160]

Just put the covering over your whole shoe

[@BroadwayBiker]

@@limeallens6160 true! I've seen both used successfully :)

[@FrederickPride-uy1lq]

888u

[@shelleyshell1150]

Ha! They’re calling for rain tomorrow where I live! And yep, I also have an old school raincoat from the thrift store that works wonders 🙂👍🏽! Thanks for the encouraging video.

[@BroadwayBiker]

They really are the best! Happy rain riding tomorrow!

[@JacopoNicolini-v4r]

You deserve so many more subs! Inspiring!

[@BroadwayBiker]

Maybe if I had a regular posting schedule...😅 Glad you enjoyed though!

[@michaelinserra5163]

thanks for the great info!...I always look forward to your videos!

[@BroadwayBiker]

Hey I'm so glad to hear that! Just trying to spread some bicycle joy in the ways that I can.

[@DerbyRojo]

Thank you!, great advices!

[@rexskitchen4544]

Inspirational and informative! Thanks :)

[@BroadwayBiker]

anytime!

[@borrebdl]

Hi Joni, i really want to thank you for making this video! It really inspired me to start bike commuting to work every day. If you ever travel to the Netherlands, please feel free to contact me to do a small bike tour together that would be great!

[@BroadwayBiker]

I am so happy to hear that! Some day I would love to do some bike travel in Europe, so who knows, it may happen... In the mean time, happy biking 🙂

[@Naomi_TaylorsVersion07]

What type of biking shorts do you recommend for beginning cyclists?

[@BroadwayBiker]

Hi Naomi! Great question. First I'd ask what kind of biking are you interested in, and how long do you think you'll be riding (either time or miles). Here are some generic answers, but feel free to reply with your specific situation! 🔹I want to casually ride around my neighborhood or local bike trails: You might not even need to spend money on bike shorts! If you have a comfy seat (sometimes called a saddle) wearing breathable undergarments (cotton is good) that don't chafe should be just fine. I've found that boxers are actually pretty comfy personally (worn underneath a skirt or other outer layer)! 🔹I want to go on longer rides of an hour of more: I'd recommend finding a pair of cycling specific shorts at a price point that fits your needs. the website www.competitivecyclist.com often has some great deals to help reduce the price. Some brands I've had good luck with in the past: Endura, Terry, sometimes Pearl Izumi. For someone just starting out, I'd recommend looking for any well fitting cycling short that is in your size and in your budget - just make sure it has a seat pad! As you start to see what kind of riding you enjoy, you can always get another pair later. If later on you REALLY into biking and bike long distances, or race competitively, I'd recommend looking into what are called bib-shorts. They are harder to take off, but they won't ever slip down, or move around on your body as much as normal shorts will. Happy riding! Also keep violin-ing 😊

[@Naomi_TaylorsVersion07]

@@BroadwayBiker I’m not really sure yet. I normally bike for about 30 minutes a day (4 miles) I have just been wearing leggings or my moms old biking shorts (they are about 20 years old and are falling apart. 😅 ) thank you so much for the tip! Your videos are awesome!

[@BroadwayBiker]

@@Naomi_TaylorsVersion07 I started out super similar to you! My first pair was from my best friends mom and the pad inside was made from some kind of mole skin/soft leather! I'd definitely recommend getting yourself a pair that are not super expensive, but have good reviews - they can definitely make biking way more comfy! Maybe a gift idea if you have a birthday coming up...

[@Naomi_TaylorsVersion07]

@@BroadwayBiker the pad inside mine is made out of leather too🤣 My birthday is not till November so I’ll probably just save up and buy one.

[@BroadwayBiker]

No way! Yeah, I have to say the modern shorts are way comfier so major respect to all the cyclists of the past. Hope you find a pair that fit and work great for you. If there's a bike store near you they will normally let you try on sizes to makes sure you've got a good fit.

[@maribel8647]

Thank You so much🙌

[@BroadwayBiker]

You're so welcome! Happy rain riding!

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

Never commute in your work clothes or work in your commute clothes. Change clothes completely and hang your wet clothes up somewhere discrete. That involves having dry clothes and towel at work. It's pretty easy to do. The tough part is actually doing it.

[@BroadwayBiker]

Respectfully disagree! Everyone's situation is different - some people don't have the ability to have a discrete location to do so, or don't require formal attire or a uniform. Maybe they work a job that requires clothes that work perfectly for light commuting. Ride times and elevations are different, bikes are different, fitness levels are different, jobs are different. An art model and a financial advisor have very different clothing requirements. I wouldn't pin down a hard and fast rule of "never commute in your work clothes.." because so many of our lives and rides look so different. Happy biking!

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

@@BroadwayBiker Respectfully, I started cycle commuting in 1987 and did it 4 seasons for over 30 years including 6 2 month cycle tours. I've done the TransAmerica and Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville to Natchez, MS. At one point my rt commute was 42 mi rt for 6 years. With a 550 ft elevation difference. So, I believe I speak with alot of authority on this subject. No matter what one's employment situation the adage remains consistent. If one's commute is 2 miles or under? Walk. There are ALWAYS options for changing, storage, etc. in one's employment area. It's a matter of how committed one is to cycle commuting. That's why I qualified everything with my last sentence. Each individual will develope their own approach that works for them in their unique situation. But, never commute in your working clothes or work in your commuting clothes. Everything else is subjective.

[@BroadwayBiker]

@@MeneerHerculePoirot No worries, everyone has their own thing. For you it's long commutes, and making a point to always change. For other people, riding two miles to work is a really approachable way to get into commuting while seriously cutting down on their travel time compared to walking. Cheers!

[@kippyjohnson]

​@@MeneerHerculePoirot so because you started "commuting" during the cold war and decided to live 40 miles away from your job that gives you authority? Ok then.

[@sugonmaballs]

I've been commuting 6.5 miles/10k one way (25 mins at ~15 MPH too) to work and back for 3 years now on my bike in my work clothes. No issues. I wear a rain coat and pants that cover my shoes when it rains to stay dry. I carry a bag with two sets of clothes already so I can go to the gym after work and have another set to change into after a sauna/shower at the gym, so I don't have room for a 3rd pair of clothes and I don't want to waste time changing clothes when I get to work.

[@super.brunch]

I like your vibes bike lady

[@jakeleak]

I have been eyeing one of the cycling specific ponchos. Not sure yet tho. The worst is wet sneakers, and putting them back on in the afternoon to go home. Worse if its cold out :(

[@BroadwayBiker]

Those ponchos look so cool, keep me updated on how you like it! Have you tried the plastic bag method for your shoes? Looks absurd but it works. Just wrap your whole shoe up good so the bag doesn't get caught anywhere. I've also looked into those silicone slip on booties that go over your whole shoe. When in doubt - find a pair of old rain boots, they'll serve you well for years.

[@jakeleak]

​@@BroadwayBiker I used to have the covers for clipless pedals - they only last a season or so, was thinking about picking up some of those duck shoes (low cut rubber boots) have to wait for a sales on all this stuff tho - prices are insane these days

[@BroadwayBiker]

Too true! I’m a big fan f thrift stores for rain gear. Duck boots in particular seem to turn up all the time in the ones I go to. Of course it’s always a gamble what’s in store, but cheaper than buying new! Hope you find what you need soon :)

[@jakeleak]

@@BroadwayBiker great suggestion! with what has been going on the past couple years, haven't been shopping in general. almost forgot about thrifting. tks

[@krob9145]

Poncho's work great. Some cover the bike handles but I just use a regular one. I use hiking boots or leather trainers/sneakers since they are mostly waterproof. I find waterproof mittens most helpful over waterproof gloves.

[@saranbhatia8809]

Way to go 👍

[@yukonrasputon8314]

You are so awesome..

[@moshdeenotabot]

"How to commute by bike on a rainy day" - narrated by a therapist

[@limeallens6160]

if you like walking in the rain you'll love biking in the rain just cover up

[@galactic904]

The big problem is that today, in 2023, in so many cities around the world, we can't move to apartments that are closer to our jobs anymore. The rents are too expensive and so are the crazy Condos, $500,000 canadian, minimum.

[@BroadwayBiker]

TRUE! Especially in Canada it seems. I know someone who bikes like 10 miles and then takes the train for another 10 or so just to get to Victoria. And it's such a horrible situation, because cars are so inefficient in many large sized cities.

[@galactic904]

To many SUV’s. Even many guys should ditch there p/up trucks cause they don’t really need it. So the new E-V’s are kind of cool , however the new E-Utility cars sold today should be called In-Utility cars because what if your stuck at the cottage or in a provincial park.

[@BroadwayBiker]

@@galactic904 "in-utility" 😅

[@eilis5341]

ooooo i'd cook in vinyl

[@BroadwayBiker]

it's definitely more of a spring/fall material for sure! ponchos or more high tech waterproof fabric will be much more breathable!

[@mashedpotato3]

smart girl

[@BroadwayBiker]

doing my best

[@waktosha7378]

I'll just use my truck on those rainy days!

[@BroadwayBiker]

No shame there - use it if you've got it!

[@agfagaevart]

no cycling with earbuds in please too dangerous.

[@BroadwayBiker]

Definitely something to be very cautious with. That's why I only advocate for using ONE on low volume if you're going to use them at all (the one not on the traffic side) so you can still hear all the road noises to your left.

[@silpheedTandy]

0:30 sigh. i am always so unhappy when youtubers put percussive background music, especially when the music is a little too loud. it makes it so draining to try to watch the rest of the video -- it takes so much energy for me to hear your important narration, because i'm fighting to try to hear it from underneath the music. i'm too exhausted from the day to try to fight to hear your narration, so i stopped watching it. i hope you consider making the background music much quieter and less distracting for future videos.

[@BroadwayBiker]

Thanks for your suggestion, the music made me feel comforted but good to know for future that others react differently :)

[@JacopoNicolini-v4r]

You deserve so many more subs! Inspiring!