#4 RIDING IN THE R AIN

C ycling Plus has always been proud of its Britishness. (Take that how you want to in 2017…) And nothing is more British than talking about the weather and, specifically, rain. In issue one we offered no less than 32 tips on riding in the wet, highlights included…

THAT’ S SO 1992...

Wear a helmet – you’re more likely to have a spill in wet weather and even if you don’t crash a helmet will also keep your head warm. Give yourself extra time to brake as the brakes will take time to clear water as they contact the rim. Fresh rain is the most dangerous, especially after a dry spell. The first rain lifts accumulated grease and grime off the road surface, creating a mixture that’s almost frictionless. Choose grippy compound tyres instead of looking for extra tread – soft compounds grip better than hard ones. Fit fatter tyres – 28-32mm – as they’re better at lower pressure, and will protect your rims from pothole damage. And look out for metal such as manhole covers and road markings as they’re more slippery in the wet.

TIMELESS ADVICE?

Does it still rain in the UK? Do bears still…? You get the idea – our 1992 wet riding advice is still relevant. With global warming one of the, erm, hottest current topics it could be argued that it’s even more pertinent in 2017. According to the Met Office, for example, December 2015 was the wettest calendar month in the UK since its records began in 1910. Some of the tips from ’92 seem quite quaint though. Don’t junk pedal reflectors as they help provide extra visibility for instance. Hands up if you still have pedals with reflectors? Thought not. You’ve got clipless pedals haven’t you, which according to issue one were “ideal for riding in the wet and cold as the absence of straps helps maintain blood flow to the toes.”

While on the subject of bad weather and feet, elsewhere in 1992 Chris Boardman offered this – not especially scientific sounding – pearl of wisdom: “If it’s particularly cold wrap some newspaper round your toes, folding it around the front half of the foot before putting your shoe on.” Boardman claimed that he used a picture of his biggest rival at the time, Graeme Obree, for such a purpose at one race…