Current Issue
Vol 17 No 8: October 2008
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Are you ready for the rain?
Whether you love it, like it or loathe it, if you are a cyclist in the Northwest you have a very personal relationship with liquid sunshine. Even so, the start of winter’s deluge (which actually lasts from the end of one summer to the beginning of the next) seems to take many of us by surprise every year, as if we didn’t know it was coming. One morning it’s just pouring rain outside and we haven’t seen our raingear since sometime in late June.
Fenders are a must, of course. They’ll keep the worst of the road gunk from your backside, but they are only a first defense, better than nothing. Your rain clothing is what really makes the difference. People ride around in everything from super-expensive technical fabrics to plastic garbage bags. How will you know what is right for you? The bottom line is, whatever makes you comfortable. Comfort, of course, being a delicate interplay of what you are willing to spend, what is effective at keeping you warm and dry, and what suits your riding style. Going for the mammoth 18-mile commute every day? Maybe that fancy jacket and rain pants combo is what you need. Only going a few blocks? Try a poncho. All cyclists should have a decent pair of gloves and a good hat or helmet liner. Numb, wet hands are no fun, and keeping your head warm is always important.
Once you are out on the road, you might notice that there’s not as much daylight going around as there used to be. Making sure you have a good set of lights is critical. People need to be able to see you! Front and rear lights are required by law, so don’t skimp on these.
After a summer of soaking up oil and grime, the pavement you’re riding on is ready to give it up the first few times it rains. Be extra careful for a while, until that stuff gets a chance to run off. Even after it does, the streets are still filled with slippery pitfalls. Watch out for leaves, paint on the pavement, manhole covers, and anything else that is not obviously pavement. While you’re at it, be careful of the pavement, too. It hurts when you fall on it. You can prevent road rash in part by braking carefully. Start braking earlier in the rain, and keep your rims clean!
Also, if you are not hyper-vigilant at all times while on your bike, you might want to consider upping the ante a little bit. Those poor drivers in the rain may be too distracted by the hypnotic swing of the windshield wipers and the delicious smell of their double tall half-caff skinny vanilla latte to pay attention to you, toiling away in the bike lane next to them. Don’t make them have to get out of their nice warm car to check on you after that right hook sends you flying across the hood.
Despite the warnings and extra hassle, winter riding is rewarding in a tough-it-out, what-doesn’t kill-you-makes-you-stronger kind of way. After all, it’s only a little liquid sunshine, right?
Is there any decent bike insurance available? I have State Farm. Their homeowner’s insurance is no better than $500 deductable. Moreover, a claimant must “prove” to them what the bike is worth before they will honor one’s claim. What constitute’s “replacement value” is vague and up to them. In other words, it’s not so much insurance as an adversarial process in which they hold the cards.
Bicycle insurance would be nice to have for things like this, it should be the same as accident insurance or a combo life/bike insurance or a seperate policy itself.
I seriously do believe David Minor would’ve survived if he had a helmet on himself. He would’ve lived to tell the story of the accident, but it was his choice to make not to wear one on that fateful day. Its sad to see those without helmets, I always wear mind, but when someone doesn’t wear one on the road - it becomes a questionable decision, which reminds me of the insurance policy idea, a helmet is just that - Insurance.