Singin' in the Rain

I looked outside this morning and thought “35 degrees and raining...sounds like a great day to ride to work!” Now, before you go saying “he’s just a ‘hardcore cyclist’ who’s crazy enough to ride in anything,” hear me out: People drive slower when it rains. There’s less traffic on the road when it rains. The rain on a helmet creates a soothing noise that can help calm your nerves. You’re still getting exercise outside even though it’s raining, and think of how good it’ll feel to get warmed up once you reach your destination!

With that said, here are a few rainy day cleaning tips for those who still like to jump in puddles...

• Brush foreign objects off the tread and check overall condition of the tires


• Wipe down or hose down the bike if it’s very dirty (especially with road salt); be careful not to direct water at bearings or other sensitive components; bounce the bike to shake off excess water and store it in a warm, dry place.


• Dry off the saddle if it’s wet.


• If the chain got wet, wipe it down and apply some fresh chain lube


• Remove the seatpost, turn the bike upside down, and let the seat tube drain; apply fresh grease or antiseize before reinstalling the post (except where carbon fiber is involved).


• Check hydraulic brake lines (if you have them) for kinks or splits)

Cleaning Tips Courtesy of The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair for Road & Mountain Bikes, by Todd Downs