The end of September has been heralded by some pretty dreadful weather, with heavy rain leading to flooding on many roads. Summer is definitely over!
When the weather is as bad as it was last weekend, only the very committed take to their bikes. It’s no fun riding in the wet, braking and control are difficult and spray from other road users makes visibility a nightmare.
But if you have to keep riding, to get to work or for your job, how can you take to the streets without putting yourself in harm’s way? It’s best to know the risks and be prepared…
Be prepared
Check the bike before you set out. Double-check tyre pressures and tread depth to avoid skidding on wet roads, and make sure lights and indicators are working. Test the brakes, and that all lead connections are secure. Give the lenses and reflectors a wipe: dirt collected from a previous ride could be obscuring them and making it more difficult for other road users to see them.
Think ahead.
Think of the route you are about to take. Are any of the roads prone to flooding? For instance, one common flooding hot spot are roads that dip to run under bridges, where the drains can quickly become overwhelmed if the rain has been particularly heavy. Could be you take a different but safer route this time?
Keep yourself conspicuous.
Ride with headlights and tail lamp on when the visibility is poor, even in daytime. Wearing reflective gear helps, too: hi-vis motorbiking jackets and trousers are ideal but if your wallet won’t stretch to those, the addition of bright reflective strips on your normal riding jacket, and helmet, will make a difference.
Wear the right kit
Wet weather riding is where your water/showerproof biking gear comes into its own. There is nothing worse than riding in soaked jeans and porous jackets – so don’t! Get hold of some kit that will keep you riding comfortably in all weathers. A pair of waterproof gloves are essential too, to make sure you always keep a tight grip on the handlebars and controls.
Keep your vision clear.
Use an anti-fog solution such as Rain-X to clear away condensation from helmet visors.
The right speed
Reduce speed in the rain, and increase spacing. Wet roads increase stopping distance when braking, almost doubling the space we need to stop safely, so it’s imperative we leave a bigger gap between us and the vehicle in front.
Travelling at a reduced speed will also help pass through large puddles smoothly, and give us more chance of avoiding obstacles in the road that are partially hidden by standing water.
Riding too fast in the wet puts you more at risk of a skid, when the tyres lose traction with the road. If you start to feel like your bike is losing grip, don’t brake sharply; rather, ease off the accelerator and reduce your speed gradually, giving you better control.
Avoid puddles…
Easier said than done, but it’s best not to ride through standing water. First, it may be obscuring road debris or a big pothole. Second, the puddle could be deeper than you realise, and lead to a loss of control. If we can, it’s always best to steer around puddles – which is another reason for keeping our speed lower in the wet.
The breakdown
Torrential downpours may lead to breakdowns, so it’s important to have a fully-charged mobile phone handy, and the telephone number of a breakdown service provider. Avoid trying to fix any loose connections by the roadside if you do break down, and wait for help.
Finally, is your journey necessary?
Ask yourself, ‘do I really need to use the bike today?’, especially if heavy rain is forecast or flooding is reported. If the journey is essential, leave plenty of time for hold-ups or a slower journey.
Keep up-to-date with local news to see if road closures or severe weather forecasts are in place.