It rains for a while, but it rains all the time for a straightforward ride. The splash of water as your wheels quickly cut through the puddles takes you back to your childhood. It’s easier to think about the ultimate questions about the end of the universe when you’re slowly slipping through the drizzle.
Most importantly the rain gives you the illusion that you are stronger because there is less drag.
Everything is so nice and happy until you get home and need to wash your gravel bike. They say that rain riding hurts your bike, especially if you have a carbon fiber bike frame so what do you need to do after a rain ride to protect your bike from damage? Today Rinasclta Bike Team will explain to you the most important 6 tips for you.
Wash your bike as soon as possible
There’s a reason why some cyclocross riders or mechanics are the first to rush to the bike wash after a race: riding after rain, the longer the wash is delayed means more work needs to be done later.
If you don’t have enough time to wash carefully, at least clean the mud and grit off the frame, tyres, chain, and front and rear derailleurs in time while the bike is still wet. Otherwise, it will be more trouble to clean them when they have dried out and become hard. If you don’t clean it in time, you may need a more thorough and time-consuming overhaul later (true, but lazy).
It’s also very healing and refreshing to use a high-pressure water gun to “nourish” your bike and see it become clean in a flash, but use caution as improper use will result in damage to the bearing parts. Also note that you should try to avoid using paper towels or wiping the gravel bike frame directly with a rag, which may have invisible tiny grit directly scratching the frame (and don’t wipe the windshield lens directly with a paper towel for a reason).
Change your clothes quickly
Rain riding may be very cool, but wet riding trousers are not. Between the rain, fartlek pads, and sweat, a breeding ground for bacteria is created. You need to take off your wet clothes first thing after a ride and don’t just wash your bike.
If you ride in the rain a lot, consider keeping a pair of shorts where you wash your bike, so you can put on dry clothes in time, even if you can’t make it to the shower. Keeping your butt clean and dry is an important step in preventing saddle sores under long rides.
Also, don’t be lazy and just throw your muddy riding clothes straight into the washing machine.
It can cause some damage, both to the clothes and to the washing machine. It’s usually best to rinse them briefly under the tap before throwing them in the washing machine to remove any larger mud and dirt.
Dirt is an “abrasive” and can damage the fabric of the garment and, in the case of mackintoshes, the waterproof coating on the mackintosh.
Bring the essentials
Although rain riding can sometimes be unpredictable, it is essential to bring some special waterproof gear to make your rain ride more comfortable and enjoyable if you know it is likely to be rainy.
For example, some waterproof personal gear, including locking shoe covers, helmet mackintosh, waterproof socks, waterproof riding beanie, and gloves, etc. It feels very sour to pedal in locking shoes full of water (carbon sole pockets of water).
After all, you can’t wear an entire wrap-around rain jacket when riding. Also, important items should be covered with plastic bags in time to avoid getting soaked.
Washing properly
In addition to washing the bike correctly, some other parts and accessories should also be cleaned correctly.
In particular, white cycling clothing should be soaked by adding detergent at the first opportunity. Don’t wait for the mud to dry, that will be when the staining happens and it will easily never be washed again.
There are also things such as rain gear, generally, some mackintoshes will have a waterproof coating, this kind of clothing directly into the washing machine, it is easy to will shorten the service life, to pay attention to the washing tips for this kind of clothing, if not too dirty, directly in the tap rinse can be, can extend the service life.
Give the chain some extra love
Of all the parts of your bike, it’s fair to say that the chain takes the biggest hit after riding in the rain, so in time, if you don’t have time to clean the other parts, you should clean the dirt off the top of the chain with a brush, dry it off and add chain oil, otherwise, a slacking off that you thought was nothing will lead directly to rusting of the chain.
Drying the small stuff
Once you’ve got the big stuff (bike and you) taken care of, don’t forget the smaller items, like shoes and helmets.
If your shoes are dirty, remember to rinse them dry with water and wipe them down quickly, again don’t wait until all the mud is dry on them before dealing with them. You can choose to stuff your shoes with paper towels or newspapers, which will dry more quickly.
As for your helmet, make sure the pads inside are clean, if not remember to wash them promptly and again put them in a ventilated and sunny place so you will get a dry helmet next time you ride.
If you ride in the rain a lot and are in a wet place (the headquarters is up), a dryer is a good investment.
