My Norwegian ancestors were known to say, “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær!” To the rest of us, that translates as, “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothes.” It’s a point reasonable people could argue, but riding in the rain doesn’t have to mean suffering, and we’ve got a set of tips that can make riding in the rain no big thing.
You don’t need all of these to make peace with water falling from the heavens, but every one of them can make those wet days a bit more pleasant.
Rain Jacket
The single most helpful tip we can offer for riding in the rain is to buy a good rain jacket. The secret to comfort in the rain is keeping your core warm, and the drier you are, the easier that is. A good rain jacket will keep the weather off your torso, which will help you stay comfortable.
A good rain jacket will have long sleeves so you can bend forward and reach the handlebar without the sleeves riding up your forearms. Many rain jackets also have a drop tail, that is, a long tail in back to protect from spray coming off the rear wheel. Many will have either zippers in the armpits (pit zips) or breathable panels to allow moisture to escape. Some will use a more water-resistant material in the front and something more breathable across the back; such jackets are aimed at riders who will be pedaling hard.
Other details that can be handy: A storm flap or waterproof zipper will help keep your front dry. A high collar can help prevent rain from finding its way into the jacket. Some offer adjustable cuffs on the sleeves to keep rain from blowing in. Almost all of them will feature reflective hits to help make you more visible to drivers and pedestrians. Some are small enough and light enough to keep in a backpack to they can be accessed in the event of a sudden downpour, and some of those can be packed into a pocket to make managing them as easy as possible when not in use.
One note about the value of a truly waterproof jacket: The more waterproof a jacket is, the less breathable it is. That means that any perspiration your body releases will stay inside the jacket, so while you’ll be protected from rain that may be cold, the inside of the jacket will feel like a rainforest.
Fenders
We’re pleased that fenders have become an accepted part of an e-bike’s standard accessory package. Fenders do more than keep you dry when it’s raining. They also keep spray from reaching you if you get surprised by a puddle.
Here’s the thing about fenders that we don’t always know until it’s too late: Not all fenders are created equal. Fender length matters. The best fenders are long, often looking longer than necessary. Fenders that are long enough will keep your feet dry or nearly so and will prevent spray from the e-bike’s rear tire from painting a wet stripe up your back. If after riding in a downpour you find that your back is wet or your feet are soaked, you may need longer fenders.
