Percentages are bullshit. Check the radar. If I look and a huge storm is going to hit while I'm going to be out, I'll take my car. If they're scattered storms I take the bike. Usually I'll miss the rain. If I get caught, I always have rain gear with me.
This morning the forecast said it would be raining between 2 and 5 pm. I don't leave work until 6, so I took the bike. Never rained.
If the bike is freshly washed and it's raining in the morning I take the van.
If the bike is already dirty and it's raining I go for a nature shower.
Usually on the Victory Vision. I stay pretty dry on that bike.
For me it's not so much the chance. I'll read the forecast to see WHEN it may rain. Around here it typically rains in late afternoon to early evening. I work 1:30 pm - 10 pm, so even with a pretty good chance of rain I'll ride. Usually the rain hits after I'm at work, and is all dried up by the time I get off. I park my bike inside at work, so she stays dry and all is good. If it looks like an extended period of rain coming, I'll take the cage.
What if it's 100% chance of rain, but though the sky is low and dark, it hasn't actually begun pouring down rain yet?
I ride.
Many times after a hard rain comes thru some good riding weather is behind it. Besides, if you don't ride on the bad days, how will you know you got it good on the good days?
Last edited by Campy Roadie; 08-02-2016 at 11:35 PM.
I had one of those days today. Weather man called for a 70% chance of rain all day today. I left the bike home and of course no rain.
Yet a few days ago we only had a 30% chance and it dumped right as I got out from my day job to go to my night job. It was raining so hard people had to pull over due to wipers being ineffective. I called the wife to pick me up and I got my bike after getting out from my night job.
No matter what the chance is, it's a gamble either way. I usually ride unless there is over a 50% chance. At this moment I really need new tires, or at least a new rear. It slips and slides all over in the rain so I'll try to avoid it til I get new tires. Haven't ridden much because of the need for tires but can't resist riding to work on dry days.
Last edited by Bowhunter8607; 08-03-2016 at 12:58 AM.
Oh...that's right. SoCal kinda forgot what that was. Sorry, couldn't help myself. Lived there most of my life and it's great having more sunny days that most.
On this rain thing, I don't commute, as my office is about 20 paces from my bedroom. But on the days I go out for a pleasure ride, I play the percentages like everybody else.
Overnighters, weekenders, and long trips, yeah rain is most likely gonna happen. So you just have to prepare for that.
08-02-2016, 04:14 PM
Sorry, couldn't help myself. Lived there most of my life and it's great having more sunny days that most.
