Happy to go out in the rain?

I was going to take my bike down to fill up and maybe have a little play at the roundabout GP near our house when it came on rain. I put the cover on and came back into the house. My other half, who's not a biker, started taking the proverbial about me being a part timer, a wimp and nothing like a 'proper' biker.

I started to defend myself, saying how I'd commuted 30 miles a day for 6 years or so back before I met her, in all weathers, but gave up as she was determined to wind me up. This got me thinking, though. Back when I started biking, we used to go out in any kind of weather, now I wouldn't leave the house unless it was dry. I've ran bikes right through the winter in the past, so I know how much damamge adverse conditions can cause.

I don't think rain would stop me going on a big organised, pre-planned rideout, but a play out for an hour or two is out of the question, in the rain!

Am I alone in this?

[DarrenSV650S]

I hate riding in the rain. Its not getting wet that bothers me. I just can't ride in the rain without sh1tting myself every time I come to a corner. I can't enjoy it.

If I go out on my bike it is to have fun, so if I'm not going to enjoy it, then what's the point in going out.

You're not the only one, I used to ride in all weathers but now avoid riding in the rain - its not that Im worried - I just hate getting wet

I don't mind the rain- sometimes I quite like riding in it- the sound of it on the lid, the sight of rain falling etc.

Though not for the 2 and a half hours I had of coming home from the folks at the coast today! Was well cold by the time I got back.

It's the cold that bothers me. It was nice when I arrived home to change out of my soggy SP-1's into my winter gloves which were nice, dry and warm.

I think cornering in the wet comes into the type of road you're on, experience and preparation (ie slowing down and gearing properly for it) and trusting your tyres- that's the biggest thing. My BT020's aren't quite as confidence inspiring as the MZ6's I had on last, but they do a good enough job for me to trust them quite a way on corners and bends in the wet.

There were a few muddy roads today on the A31 that made me a little more careful than usual.

I rode home on the A246 from Guildford to Surbiton in the huge storm the other Monday- was a right giggle, even when it started chucking it down!

[yorkie_chris]

I wouldn't go out just for a bit of a blast if it was slashing down, but doesn't bother me to commute in it or go for a proper ride.

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

I hate riding in the rain. Its not getting wet that bothers me. I just can't ride in the rain without sh1tting myself every time I come to a corner. I can't enjoy it.

If I go out on my bike it is to have fun, so if I'm not going to enjoy it, then what's the point in going out.

Exactly the same as this really. And I'm not really kitted out for it either.

Go for a blast in the rain? No chance. Commute? If I have to, but thats what my car is for.

Watching the MotoGP guys fly round the track in the wet is something else aint it, nutters!

You Wusses... I'll only use the car for commuting if its snowing, or raining so hard that it's as bad to ride in as snow...

(just take it easy on the corners when the roads wet... simple as.
Oh... and have decent waterproofs!)

Theres nothing worse than riding in the wet and you feel the water run down the tank into the gonads, hate it! Also trying to get winter gloves on with wet hands. The rain is sh!t, I hate it. Coming from Peterhead in the north east of Scotland doesn't help

[Lissa]

I actually quite like being out in the rain. If you're geared up properly, it's not a problem.

The rain has never stopped us from going out if we've planned to do so.