Does anybody like cycling in the rain?

I love summer rain. You know the kind... comes straight down and you could ride in baselayer  if you wanted to. It's the wind I don't like. I'll have a look out the window before a ride and if it's blustery I'll go for a quick run instead. Cycling in high winds on the road isn't my idea of a good time

I can't believe that many people actually like/prefer riding in the rain to a nice sunny day!

We all do it of course, but actually like it???

I find riding in the rain is fine, provided I can be sure that I don't get cold.  If the weather is warm, with the right clothes, I don't really mind being wet through (although I'll wear shoe covers and probably waterproof socks to keep the worst of the water out).  If a bit mixed, I'll use a waterproof jacket (although risk then ending up a bit too warm).  I do use my mudguard equipped winter bike in wet weather though.

The one other consideration, especially if weather is wet + wind is to ensure the route I ride / pace I aim for is not too ambitious.  A route/pace that leaves me totally exhausted at the end on a warm, sunny day will be too much on a wet and windy day.

As for the muck on the bike - I wouldn't take my summer bike out in this weather, but a little bit of hosing off (carefully) / cleaning immediately at the end of a wet ride will often get the worst of the gunk off it before it welds itself to the bike.

I actually enjoy riding in the rain but I avoid it if I can for one simple reason. I hate to clean the bike afterwards, especially the ugly grime from the brakes and rims - this disgusting grey/black slime:)

I cheated a bit yesterday morning and drove a bit of the way (to get off the top of the hill upon which I live) as it was a bit wild up here.  Thereafter, a new pair of neoprene overshoes kept my kfeet dry (which is a first) and I was just damp after wearing full waterproofs for 14 miles.

There were a fraction of the usual number of cyclists out.  THe ride bacvk home into the gale was a result - followed some very helpful chap on an electric bike for miles :o)

Eye protection in the rain? - a pair of clear Bolle Contour safety glasses off ebay for about £8, coated in RainEx from Halfords and a cap underneath your helmet to deflect the worst away from your glasses.  No problems.  The tinted Bolle Contour glasses are very good too - I wear those for commuting most of the time, although I am currently experimenting with a pair of gold mirror Oakleys - there seems to be a correlation between Public Enemy No 1 sunglasses and drivers not being as stupid - still under test, but it looks as though the OTT eye contact is effective..................

Yes, I do enjoy cycling in the rain.

I find that having the right clothing and equipment is a must, though.

My two-bike fleet is set up for all-weather riding...at least all the weather encountered in a tropical country. Full-length mudguards and mudflaps are a huge help, as is a quality windproof rain jacket, a suite of lights, and yellow-tinted shades.

That said, I'd really rather take my disc-braked TCX rather than my V-braked Dahon folder in the wet simply because I've had trouble coming to a stop in the rain with the latter.

Next time I should try waterproof socks - quite a number of people recommending them here.

As long as my arse (PDW mudguards) and feet (waterproof socks, taped at the top) are dry, and I'm not cold, I don't mind it at all. I'd prefer it to be dry though, and will usually schedule a ride around the rain.

For those who hate damp feet, I'd highly recommend waterproof socks/tape if you can't dry your shoes off. You'll hear your shoes squelching, but not feel it. I usually wear thin liners under the socks.

One word of advice though: do not buy the socks with the security tag pins anywhere but through the highest part of the cuffs! If you find water getting in, you haven't either taped them properly, or the socks are faulty, and this is mostly due to the above. I had to return my first pair (SealSkinz) to Evans as the shop idiots had stuck the pin through the toes - my first wet ride and I had identical damp spots.

Most annoying is not being able to wear eye protection though, especially when you're following someone else's wheel. I've ended up with painful grit obscuring my vision.

The wind this morning gave me a QOM, and I was cackling with laughter trying to wheel a straight line. 

No newspapers at work.  Grr.  Last place of employment, loads, home, loads, not at this place.  Tried awful paper towels, but very little effect.  Newspapered as soon as I got home.

Cycled in to work this morning, pouring rain and a headwind. Would have been perfect except I forgot to wear gloves. No problem if you have the right outfit.

When I started cycling to work a friend said, 'now if you're really going to do it, you have to do it in any weather', so that's what I've done since.

I spent £60 on PDW full metal fenders: every ride in the rain makes reduces the cost per wet ride!

Really extreme rain is actually quite fun. I did RideLondon in 2014 when it was absolutely torrential and the actual riding part was fun - so long as you kept moving it was warm enough and you can accept it as an experience.

Actually start out in rain is really demotivating though.

While I'm not a fan of cycling in the wind and rain, it's better than not being able to cycle at all - so bring it on!

Bits of me were soaking wet less than 5 minutes into my 45-50 min ride to work this morning, (GoreTex jacket doing the Biz) nothing could wipe the grin off my face, splashing through the puddles and controlling her through the mud.  Difficult not to laugh at the motorists, fuming away whilst dry in the massive tailbacks.

My clothes were dryish for the ride home, shoes still soaking wet mind.

Better now that it's not freezing cold.

I don't mind riding home in the rain, but there are few things more unpleasant than pulling on clothes that got a soaking in the morning when it's time to head home.

As a Scotsman living in Ireland (and having spent considerable time in Oregon)....

Rain Schmain....part of life

I don't mind the weather all that much. It can even be enjoyable if the tarmac is dry and the cars aren't spraying up all kinds of grime on your face. But it's the thought of cleaning up afterwards that really spoils it for me.

I enjoy mountain biking whatever the weather; come rain, sleet or snow. Starting a road ride in the rain instills about as much inspiration as an Eastenders omnibus. However, pedalling along on a crisp winter morning, with blue skies and a temperature needle hovering around zero is almost as enjoyable as a warm summer ride. 

Had a beautiful ride this morning in pouring rain: 4 empty laps of Hyde Park and home for breakfast.   Okay, you have to clean and re-lube the bike afterwards, but you have to do that once in a while anyway.... Get a decent jacket and get out there!

I agree with cyclesteffer and guywood. All weathers no matter what. After all you can only get wet, once wet your wet. So I'm out regardless, come hail, rain, sleet, snow and blow. It's like a right of passage. Perphaps I'm just a little mad but there you have it. 

I don't mind getting caught out in rain, but I hate starting off in it.

I was in two minds about riding to work today and, in the end, I got the car keys out, because it was pissing down and blowing a gale and, in the end, I was running a bit late anyway.

It does, however, mean I can do a couple of errands on the way home that would be hard on the bike.

I'm with you cyclesteffer. Cycling in the pouring rain in summer when it's not cold is awesome fun. It's sort of like swimming combined with cycling. You know you're wet through but you're not cold at the same time. Ok, maybe I'm weird...

Yes, it's fun going out in horrendous weather! It's kind of like "is that the best you can do?" Fun!

No.

Rain=OK; Wind=OK; Rain+Wind=Grrr...