If I can help it, I won’t cycle in the rain. I don’t mind getting wet, but I don’t feel as safe on wet roads – wet brakes and reduced friction between tyre and road – as I do on dry. Also, when I bought my bike, the mechanic offered to give me a lesson on how to clean it. I made the mistake of accepting his offer, and can now take most of the bike apart and put it back together again completely spotless.
Before I accepted his offer, it would take me 5 minutes to clean my bike. Now, it takes between 90 minutes to 2 hours to do, so I try and reduce the number of times I do it. If I cycle in the wet, I need to clean the bike same day. If I cycle only on dry days, I only need to do a clean once every couple of months.
Last time I took my bike in for a service, it was so clean and in such mint condition that the mechanic asked me if I had ever ridden it. I found that amusing as it had done over 2500 kms since the last service.
I do admire these two cyclists, and the numerous others who were out training on Tamaki Drive on Saturday morning in the heavy showers (and occasional sunshine). There aren’t many events in New Zealand to train for right now, with the biggie being the Round Lake Taupo Challenge in November and the competitive triathlon season beginning about the same time, but it is great to see so many people out cycling anyway, rain or shine.
Night Cycling 