Horrid weather ! !

[Nigelnaturist]

Hmmmmmm........... I've been keeping at it for over 50 years now, and if anything, the wind and rain gets to me even more as I get older! Outdoor activities of any kind are just so much more pleasant when the sun is shining and the weather is calm.
Cycling on scenic routes on a nice warm sunny day; or battling into a gale being soaked by the rain (and there is no such thing as waterproof clothing, it always finds a way in after a few miles) and not being able to see because of rain stinging your eyes? I know which one I prefer!
It's also more dangerous as you are less visible to blind car drivers in steamed up cars, and there is more risk of skidding on diesel and other slippery surfaces. Then there is the extra wear on bike components caused by the dirt and sludge picked up on your transmission, and wheel rims..... Arghhhhhhh!!
Possibly most importantly for some, cake/beer stops are restricted to places that don't mind you sitting on their furniture with the water running out of you.
What's to like about cycling in the rain?

It's my opinion, and I didn't say it's not nicer, what you have to remember this is the U.K. and we have the weather whatever it, so stop moaning about it all the time, it's windy, it's rainy, so what, yea I hate setting of in the rain, but if it's got to be done, it's got to be done, the current dislike of the weather is more about the wind than the rain, I believe, and the point I was trying to make and you underlined it quite well, is that it doesn't bother you as much, when I came back to cycling last year I rode in some what seemed to me horrendous winds, but it was more likely my lack of fitness and experience, those same winds at my current level of fitness (which isn't great by any means) don't bother me as much, I just accept am going to be slower, but then I am not that fast anyway.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I thought about a turbo trainer but spent the money on a decent jacket and sealskin gloves instead. I got out for 25 miles today. Started into the wind so the return was great. I got wet but my jacket kept me warm and it will be dry and ready for me to wear again in the morning.

This is it, if you are warm it really doesn't matter if your wet.

 

[gavroche]

my mileage so far this month is very low, mostly due to bad weather but also work commitments. I am gutted really cos I expected the weather to improve greatly.I have a lot of catching up to do.

 

[MaxInc]

it's windy, it's rainy, so what, yea I hate setting of in the rain, but if it's got to be done, it's got to be done

That's a very big if I'm lucky enough to not having to do it at all costs ... besides ... it's F1 weekend and Hamilton's on the front line ...

 

[Ern1e]

Having given up a car my choice of not going out in the rain etc is limited ok sunshine is miles better but just as per nigel said THIS IS THE UK and not a lot we can do to stop our climate except maybe move !

 

[Brandane]

It's my opinion, and I didn't say it's not nicer, what you have to remember this is the U.K. and we have the weather whatever it, so stop moaning about it all the time, it's windy, it's rainy, so what, yea I hate setting of in the rain, but if it's got to be done, it's got to be done, the current dislike of the weather is more about the wind than the rain, I believe, and the point I was trying to make and you underlined it quite well, is that it doesn't bother you as much, when I came back to cycling last year I rode in some what seemed to me horrendous winds, but it was more likely my lack of fitness and experience, those same winds at my current level of fitness (which isn't great by any means) don't bother me as much, I just except I am going to be slower, but then I am not that fast anyway.

Fair comment, and I take my hat off to the more hard-core amongst us. However cycling to me is a leisure pursuit which I enjoy, on condition that it doesn't involve getting too wet or cold . I want it to remain enjoyable, so that means the bikes stay put when the weather is on the inclement side. I don't mind showers and light winds, but going out and getting soaked in constant rain just isn't my idea of fun.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

That's a very big if I'm lucky enough to not having to do it at all costs ... besides ... it's F1 weekend and Hamilton's on the front line ...

I was more referring to commutes, I have to do two a week, one is about 9 miles there, but I usually take a longer route home the other about 5 miles, on public transport it would cost me £4 (£8 for both), I am quicker to both, it is 40 mins or so to the first and just touching on 20 mins for the second, to me £8 a wk in transport costs, is 1/3 of the money I have every week so I save the price of a chain and cassette every four weeks.

 

[MaxInc]

I know you were refering to comuting, I work from home hence my comment regarding how lucky I am for not having to surrender to the weather system

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well it is HORRID today - cold, breezy and drizzling away out there. Not interested in going out in this in the slightest.

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Training plan said 90 minute ride today, so took the opportunity of trying a hill that was recommended to me.
Luckily I made it out and back before the rain, but oh my goodness, the wind! I felt like I was battling my way through a twister. I suppose its a slight disadvantage that my routes follow country lanes with hardly any hedges or building to block the gales. Hey ho, I did it, more miles under the wheels, and I didn't get wet

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Horrid day, drizzling breezy, went out to test gears had to come back, will have another look and test again, saw three other road bikes.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Training plan said 90 minute ride today, so took the opportunity of trying a hill that was recommended to me.
Luckily I made it out and back before the rain, but oh my goodness, the wind! I felt like I was battling my way through a twister. I suppose its a slight disadvantage that my routes follow country lanes with hardly any hedges or building to block the gales. Hey ho, I did it, more miles under the wheels, and I didn't get wet

That is one thing I do dislike flat open fields and STRONG winds, at least with hills even in the wind you can generally get some respite going down, and you may also be in the lee of the hill.

 

[Ladytrucker]

Set off today with light grey sky and it was looking pretty good until about 4 or 5 mile when the rain came on. I eventually after 9 miles had to cut the ride short and take the quick way home due to the headwind and rain together. It makes it such hard work on the hills. It certainly was not as pleasant as last Tuesday night's ride out with only my Tshirt, but I felt great having been out anyway..

I didn't want to spend another night on the exercise bike I can only manage 20km on that then my rear hurts.

It is like an addiction I've just got to get out there.

 

[i hate hills]

Set off today with light grey sky and it was looking pretty good until about 4 or 5 mile when the rain came on. I eventually after 9 miles had to cut the ride short and take the quick way home due to the headwind and rain together. It makes it such hard work on the hills. It certainly was not as pleasant as last Tuesday night's ride out with only my Tshirt, but I felt great having been out anyway..

I didn't want to spend another night on the exercise bike I can only manage 20km on that then my rear hurts.

It is like an addiction I've just got to get out there.

I think Tuesday was our summer. Don't think the weather is supposed to be much better for the week ahead. I agree with you the exercise bike is just not the same.

 

[eevvee]

I think you are just trying to convince us Nigel Afraid it really gets to me too and I think it always will. Not so much the rain but definitely the wind. I just get totally demoralised pushing into a headwind and feeling like I am getting nowhere, plus the fact that it seems to hurt my back, so going to have to disagree and say I will never get used to it.

Just like you Mo, I do not enjoy a head wind ...although I have now come up with a route that typically gives me the wind at my back for the last 7 miles and than can be a lot of fun, the unexpected gusts can be unnerving though. I only started cycling at the start of the year and it seems like there has hardly been a wind free day this year, and if there has been one I have been working. Still, I look forward to a wind free day when it does come, although living on the North Sea coast they might be few and far between.