Value the risks of bike
Before preparing for a route Bike under the rainDo not forget to look at the weather forecast first. If there are announced intense rainfall or with low temperatures (below about 10º C), it is advisable to leave. The risks are greater than the benefits.
With rain and intense cold the body will not manage to warm up. The extremities, arms and legs They will grab Quickly because of the cold and it will be difficult to find a good rhythm to finish the route with guarantees.
Even with good cycling equipment, with waterproof or thermal clothing and accessories, the risk of hypothermia is high. Especially, in road outputs, more exposed to the wind, which accelerates body cooling.
In addition, roll by road under a downpour will limit your visibility and will expose you to a possible accident. And not to mention the decrease in reflexes and the organism's reaction for low body temperature.
With moderate or soft rain, and temperatures between 10 and 15º C, these risks decrease significantly. Even a bike exit in these conditions can be well used. You just have to put into practice simple recommendations regarding the equipment.
Wear waterproof, non -thermal clothes
When choosing the right clothes to train in the rain, avoid equipping yourself with thermal clothing. Is A common error of many cyclists.
In general, thermal clothing is designed to roll with temperatures below about 10º C and their tissues hinder skin perspiration. Even if it rains, if the temperature is tempered, you will break to sweat abundantly. You will end up more wet inside than on the outside, risking a good cold. In the middle term is the solution: Adapt your equipment at the ambient temperature.
Here are how to choose the rain garments more suitable for each part of the body when you go out to ride a bike in wet.
Long culotte or short culotte?
When it rains, choose a Culotte Long of halftime, or a short one with perneras. You can also use a short one, which absorbs less water, and apply body oil to slip through unprotected skin and evacuate quickly.
[IRP posts = "3854" name = "How to prepare to go by bicycle in winter"]
Not all showers are the same
A spring jacket or a long jersey, accompanied by a oilskin, it will be the best option for a balance between impermeability and perspiration. It is desirable. Pay attention to the type of raincoat you choose for your training in the rain. We recommend acquiring one of Ergonomic cut and breathable rack in the armpits (an area where water is difficult). They are more expensive than conventional ones (about € 20 on average) but better evacuate body heat than a basic one. And if you have Reflective strips To make you visible on the road, much better.Cover shoes and gloves
The extremities They are the body parts that suffer the most with the weather. Therefore, they should be especially isolated. In this way, you will avoid the numbness of this area while you walk by bicycle.
For the feet you have several options. If you practice road cycling, some covers shoes They are a great solution. And for mountain bike routes, some Winter sneakers with waterproof socks It would be the perfect combination.
[IRP posts = "3906" name = "Are cycling covers in winter?"] are essential? "]
For hands, we recommend you Long gloves with insulating fabrics that evacuate water, such as gore-tex or neoprene. Anyway, long winter basics may be enough.
In any case, most importantly, rather than the degree of perspiration, it is the ability of these garments to keep heat.
Glasses with transparent crystals
There are many cyclists who dispense with glasses For their training in the rain, but the ideal is to have them too. Therefore, a game of transparent crystals It is an accessory that you should not give up.
In this case, the function of the crystals will be to preserve your eyes of humidity, of the dirty water splashing of the asphalt or the mud of the paths.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 'COBERCASCO'
If you usually use Braga For the neck, ensure that it is between time and with good perspiration. Finally, and not least, we recommend the use of a waterproof cover that covers the hull openings (Cabrecasco). Keep in mind that the head is the body part most exposed to water.If you do not have Cabrecasco, you can take a look at this tutorial of exbiker Professional José Antonio Hermida to make one homemade. [embed] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megcpzvota[/embed]
If you lack this complement, you can put a Waterproof Bandana Under the helmet, to avoid wetting your hair and that the water enters your eyes.
Do short, but intense training
Once you have equipped yourself correctly, it's time to go out and enjoy a bike outlet with rain. You can take advantage of these days to perform shorter, more explosive outputs.
With the appropriate equipment, the rain can be overcome during the first hour and a half or two hours. But in long runs, the rHypothermia iSgo it multiplies. Therefore, it is not convenient to get too far from home.
If possible, on rainy days salt with your bike in company. If you suffer from any breakdown or fall during training, you will receive attendance quickly, you will return home before and avoid getting wet more than the account.
Take advantage of these shorter outputs to train another type of qualities, such as the technique on the bike. You can train the drawing in curves or descents with wet asphalt. If yours is the mountain bike or the grave, you can try in muddy terrain. Leave the background training for sunny days, in which the added risk of the meteorology disappears.
Prepare your rain bike: brakes, covers and lights
Finally, and before shooting in the rain, you should do some simple Settings on your bicycle to adapt it to moisture conditions.
Check first the breaks. Wet braking changes and must be longer and more progressive. Make sure the good condition of all the pieces: shoes, handles, or pills and liquid (in the case that disk brakes).
If you have the tire pressure High, rebuke it. How much? Well at least 0.5 bar in your Mountain Bike and between 1 and 2 bars on your road bike. The wheel contact surface will increase, winning in grip and reducing the risk of puncture.
Finally, don't forget lights these gray days with limited visibility. To see and, above all, to be seen on the road by the rest of the vehicles. The rear, mandatory even on clear days; The front, recommended. All this, regulations on the margin.
