I've never been a big fan of riding at night or riding in the rain. Doesn't really scare me or anything I just prefer not to do either if I have a choice.
Well last night, I rode over to a local bike night to spend a few minutes catching up with a fellow rider I hadn't seen in a while and then I was going to ride over to a restaurant to meet my wife for dinner. First stop was the ATM and it started raining (not even in the forecast of course) on the way so I got the chance to pull my rain coat out of the saddlebag. Wore it to the bike night and it was fine.
Got the text that my wife was on the way to the restaurant so I headed that way too. No rain now but ominous skies and lightning way off in the distance. Well, you guessed it, while eating dinner the thunderstorm decides to park itself right over my bike for about 30 minutes. When we finished eating, at least the thunder and lightning had moved on but it was still raining hard. Sooo - I got to ride home in the dark AND the rain. I made it just fine even though the whole ride I was thinking about how I'd never see a huge puddle and start hydroplaning! Took it slow and easy and it was no big deal.
I did learn one valuable lesson I'd like to pass on. If there's even a chance of rain, do NOT hang your helmet from the grips by the chin strap, in other words - upside down. I must have poured a quart of rainwater out of that thing before squishing it onto my head!
Well last night, I rode over to a local bike night to spend a few minutes catching up with a fellow rider I hadn't seen in a while and then I was going to ride over to a restaurant to meet my wife for dinner. First stop was the ATM and it started raining (not even in the forecast of course) on the way so I got the chance to pull my rain coat out of the saddlebag. Wore it to the bike night and it was fine.
Got the text that my wife was on the way to the restaurant so I headed that way too. No rain now but ominous skies and lightning way off in the distance. Well, you guessed it, while eating dinner the thunderstorm decides to park itself right over my bike for about 30 minutes. When we finished eating, at least the thunder and lightning had moved on but it was still raining hard. Sooo - I got to ride home in the dark AND the rain. I made it just fine even though the whole ride I was thinking about how I'd never see a huge puddle and start hydroplaning! Took it slow and easy and it was no big deal.
I did learn one valuable lesson I'd like to pass on. If there's even a chance of rain, do NOT hang your helmet from the grips by the chin strap, in other words - upside down. I must have poured a quart of rainwater out of that thing before squishing it onto my head!
