So this week I completed my Niner build and have been looking forward to a good ride in the San Gabs. Sunday is the only day I have to ride and it is supposed to rain. Since I know the trails hold together well, I plan to still give it a go. Planning to go up LSM to inspiration point than down Idlehour tr to the toll road. Normally I would ride to Mt Wilson but snow may be problematic. So who else doesn't let the weather curb their riding?
I try not to start in the rain but definitely get caught in it. Never let the forecast sway me. Just be prepared. I do hate cleaning up the aftermath though.....
Most people and their bikes are not prepared to ride in the rain AND face the aftermath even if you find trails that hold up and drain well enough to ride while it's raining. Just prep well, use a chain lube suitable for wet conditions, and clean your bike as soon as you can. You need a tertiary plan for bad weather survival too. It could take longer to be rescued if you are lost our injured. I've seen nominal injuries (like a broken clavicle) turn life threatening when it was cold, wet, dark, and no one could find the victim despite having cell phone contact.... Amici, diem perdidi.
Riding in the rain is like camping in the snow. Most people seem to think it sounds like fun-but if you are not properly prepared, you can become miserable real quick. I have no doubts Hattrick will have a blast-but a brand new drivetrain in that silica infused bike wash? Follow Ron Jeremy's advice and use lots of lube! I have also noticed that disc brake pads like to "melt" in super wet conditions so keep an eye on that.
Having spent time in the NW, I grew accustomed to riding in the rain, but that being said... I had a dedicated winter bike that was ridden about 70% of the time. I agree with Ross that a brand new drivetrain should be well lubed... If the rain looks imminent and considerable, I'd wait to ride a brand new rig. Come ride in the desert instead.
I don't go out of the way to do it but have been caught numerous times and finished rides in the ran. Now snow rides I will go out of my way to do.
Worst time I ever had in rain from the outset looked fairly inocuous down in Moro. Metro-mountaineering, I know but still.... Got caught in about 3 miles, on Slow-N-Easy. Rain just burst out in buckets. The clay/sand mix stuck to wheels like concrete. No way to ride but, no way to push either - the wheels caked up about 3 inches worth and the bike weighed about 80 pds. The clay doesn't fall off when you bounce the bike so I tried a stick to keep knocking if off but it was slow going. Bike slung over shoulder, HAB ensued which worked me - the uphill sections on wet, greasy clay were too slippery to walk on so I had to edge off to the side in the ruts/bush to make progress. Looking back I can't believe a 3 mile HAB could be a big deal but when it's dumping, you got no rain gear. bike slung over your shoulder and you can't move 5 feet w/o slipping and falling - it was bigtime suck.
I hate the rain. One of the reasons i live in SoCal. I know we need it, but, hate it every time it shows up. Gonna try to ride prerain. Hope it holds off till the afternoon.
I've been caught in afternoon summer T-storms in Big Bear and in Mammoth--was clear when we started then clouds built quickly. Kind of scary riding what is basically a lightning rod, lol. Hid in dense tree groves (never use a freestanding tree) or just hurried back down the hill.
I do not ride in the rain but have been caught in it a few times, thankfully I was near or at the end of the ride but a few months ago I took a friend out for their first time on a mtn bike and they used my second bike and we got caught mid ride we took a few shortcuts back to the car but both bikes were covered in clay soil mud . I was too tired to clean them when I got home so did the next day after work. Well, 5 hours later both bikes were free of mud so that put the nail in the coffin for me riding in the rain or even if there is a threat of rain again.
we did winter creek today it was in perfect shape, some one has done some major trail work, very little activity on this trail. get out early you should be fine, enjoy
