Cycling UK Forum

Anybody else feel like giving up cycling for pleasure or reducing to just one bike? I,m sick of the weather recently. Every time I ge chance to go out I starts to pour down. I really want to use the bike to keep up my fitness levels but the weather is so unpredictable recently that I can't plan a fitness regime that includes the bike. Most of the week I have had to retreat to the gym but I can't do cardio in the gym as it bores me rigid. I do resort to a walk in the rain for an hour and that does work but it does not keep me cycling fit! I went out on a CTC run last Sunday, taking a chance on the forecast [which is useless, forecast heavy rain today but it has stayed dry, I could have been out, but made indoor plans]. well a couple of hours in it started to p..s down and we had to endure a 20mile run for home. None of it was pleasant and I lost all feelings in my hands. Trouble is I love being on the bike [unless I'm cold and wet] better than anything else but I can't get on it! So do I give it up or stick it out....mmm.

Rant over. Jim

hi big jim
know how you feel mate ..got myself a new bike three weeks ago cannondale synapse carbon
only had chance to ride it for a 50 miler hopeing to be out in the morning but as it is still raining here not looking good also tick with it ..

larry

Few bikes dissolve in the rain. And waterproof clothing is available.

bigjim wrote:Anybody else feel like giving up cycling for pleasure or reducing to just one bike? I,m sick of the weather recently. Every time I ge chance to go out I starts to pour down. I really want to use the bike to keep up my fitness levels but the weather is so unpredictable recently that I can't plan a fitness regime that includes the bike. Most of the week I have had to retreat to the gym but I can't do cardio in the gym as it bores me rigid. I do resort to a walk in the rain for an hour and that does work but it does not keep me cycling fit! I went out on a CTC run last Sunday, taking a chance on the forecast [which is useless, forecast heavy rain today but it has stayed dry, I could have been out, but made indoor plans]. well a couple of hours in it started to p..s down and we had to endure a 20mile run for home. None of it was pleasant and I lost all feelings in my hands. Trouble is I love being on the bike [unless I'm cold and wet] better than anything else but I can't get on it! So do I give it up or stick it out....mmm.

Rant over. Jim

I'm also sick of the weather. Every *&^%$"£ day for four weeks, gale force winds - one notable forecast "calm" day, I struggled to achieve a 9mph average into the calm wind, yet on turning around was doing 27mph within 20 seconds, on the flat, with only an occasional turn of the pedals. And yesterday, with heavy rain predicted, it was dry and sunny, with blue skies and wind.

I've found the best approach is to diversify - a five mile run over the moor yesterday at 5.00am (I was wide awake at 4.00am), followed by 40 miles on the bike, 14 mile walk today, gym etc, etc, etc

snibgo wrote:Few bikes dissolve in the rain. And waterproof clothing is available.

I agree. Bigjim, what is exactly is the problem? Are you properly equipped for the weather? I don't like the rain much either but it does make the air fresher in traffic. Do you have a rack and pannier/saddlebag? If not, I don't see how you will be able to take/take off clothing as the weather changes. The wind is a problem but rain, no - stick with it and treat yourself to some good clothing (and don't pretend it's summer!).

PS Factor in a tea shop or pub to warm up and dry out.

Um, yeah, just go out in the rain. It can be really nice!

How about if you could be really specific about what you hate so much about cycling in the rain, and we could all help you find things that might make it better?

You mentioned numb hands - do they get numb because of the cold? If so then have you tried gloves, and how did that work out? Do your feet get cold too?

Are there other specific things that make you uncomfortable in the rain? Do you have a good quality waterproof jacket?

It'd be a pity to be put off because of rain in such a rainy country!

I agree. Bigjim, what is exactly is the problem?

I,m sick of it. A bit spoilt as I,ve just done a 800mile tour in Europe where it was 80 degrees every day bar one. I,ve got all the weather gear but it, not the point. I just hate the cold and wet. The wind drives me crazy. Cars throwing spray all over me, splashing through potholed puddles, cleaning crap off the bike, worrying about being seen by cars. I would love to get in a regular routine with the bike but it,s gettting ridiculous. Anyway a good rant helps.

Well said Alice. Another idea is to have two bikes: one with mudguards, wider tyres, rack and pannier already packed for the rain and another (your existing bike bigjim??? ) for sunny days - fast, light and fun.

bigjim wrote:

I agree. Bigjim, what is exactly is the problem?

I,m sick of it. A bit spoilt as I,ve just done a 800mile tour in Europe where it was 80 degrees every day bar one. I,ve got all the weather gear but it, not the point. I just hate the cold and wet. The wind drives me crazy. Cars throwing spray all over me, splashing through potholed puddles, cleaning crap off the bike, worrying about being seen by cars. I would love to get in a regular routine with the bike but it,s gettting ridiculous. Anyway a good rant helps.

That's fair enough. Unfortunately I think we've got more rain to come for a few weeks...

bigjim wrote:

I agree. Bigjim, what is exactly is the problem?

I,m sick of it. A bit spoilt as I,ve just done a 800mile tour in Europe where it was 80 degrees every day bar one. I,ve got all the weather gear but it, not the point. I just hate the cold and wet. The wind drives me crazy. Cars throwing spray all over me, splashing through potholed puddles, cleaning crap off the bike, worrying about being seen by cars. I would love to get in a regular routine with the bike but it,s gettting ridiculous. Anyway a good rant helps.

It does, doesn't it?

I'd find 80 degrees quite hard going every day I think, I'd prefer at least a few days of rain. I guess different people just find different things hard to put up with.

April has merely been delayed...

Just think of it as autumn, but with longer days.

I am puzzled according to the press it only started raining a week or so ago. The fields were dust bowls and all plants dead or dying. Oops forgot that is just the south.

Any way the weather forecast for the next 2 weeks is not good major thunderstorms and severe flooding, remember Wimbledon has started.

BigJim
How long have you lived the UK?

Edwards wrote:I am puzzled according to the press it only started raining a week or so ago. The fields were dust bowls and all plants dead or dying. Oops forgot that is just the south.

Any way the weather forecast for the next 2 weeks is not good major thunderstorms and severe flooding, remember Wimbledon has started.

And Glastonbury festival next week