Tip for the week – Riding in the rain

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

Riding in the rain is something that we need to be good at here in NZ, otherwise we wouldn’t ride on many occasions! Don’t be scared of riding when it’s wet; you just have to be prepared.

If it’s fine and not cold when you start out, but you think it might rain, pack a light but waterproof shower jacket. You can get these for not very much money at the bike shop or online. Mostly these are made of non-breathable material like nylon but that’s fine as they are for emergencies only. Make sure you get a bright colour, don’t get black! So long as you have appropriate clothing underneath your jacket (thermals, arm warmers), then you’ll already have some heat in your body when it rains. A nylon jacket won’t keep you warm.

If it’s raining at the start of your ride you need to begin with sturdier rain-resistant clothing otherwise you’ll just get wet straight away and not warm up. There are many good options available, but they will cost money as they will be made of Gortex or a similar fabric. It’s well worth buying one of these though, and if you look after it it will last many years. In this situation you might like to protect your shoes with some shoe covers as well. Woollen socks are a good option as they keep your feet warm even if they get wet. Especially important in winter. Again, you should have already dressed in your thermals, warmers on your arms and maybe even your legs.

Another useful tip when riding in the rain is to wear a cycling cap under your helmet. That helps shield your eyes from some of the falling rain. It can also help keep your head a little warmer too.

Remember, if you get wet you can get cold, especially if you’re just starting your ride, intensity is low, or the air temperature drops dramatically. Sometimes the latter can occur here in NZ if a southerly hits, and that can be dangerous.

Lastly, one of the best things you can do for for wet weather riding is to have some mud-guards. A rear guard is especially useful as it stops your back side getting wet. Makes it much easier for your riding companions to sit on your wheel as well! You can buy clip on/off guards from your bike shop or online that fit most racing bikes.

Good riding, Steve S.