This is the first year in bicycling history (13* years cycle commuting) I haven't bothered removing the full mudguards on my commuting bike. It used to happen at the earliest opportunity around late spring then refit early winter.
*don't actually remember exact number of years.
It's no consolation i'm sure, but it's the wettest winter i've known in these parts. It's supposed to be the dry season. Lots of tracks waterlogged, wet creeks that normally dry up, favourite riding spots closed...
But the tree ferns seem happy enough.
I've got one of those easy on/off ones that fits round the seat post. It's been off a few times this year. Looks like it might be going back on this morning though.
I've probably done less mountain biking this year than I have done in the last 30years though. So much rain most of the bridleways and woodlands round here are just too overgrown. Really limited to where is actually nice to ride!
Wednesday's ride felt like a spring/autumn ride with the amount of slop!
Been sucking it up and getting muddy on the gravel bike.
Still using the "winter" road bike occasionally. It's July. Slightly concerned what the real winter will bring this year, and not just talking about the riding.
yep, mudguards still on all three bikes and the winter tyres are still on the MTB. I've been out in long sleeves and a hat walking the dog the last couple of morning.
One of my lowest mileage years ever as well. My LBS owner is still using his winter bike for riding to work.
I was riding in legwarmers and a windproof jacket the other week, it was about 10°C!
After the 3 or 4 days of summer we had a couple of weeks ago, it's been rain here on and off for the last week. Took the mudguards off at the start of June, and it's mostly dried out enough here that the slop hasn't materialised, as the water is just sucked up. Got a day off today so the plan is to get out on the bike. So wish me luck.
As joshvegas said I'm still wearing shorts and t-shirts as it's not particularly cold. I'm also refusing to break out the wellies for dog walking, although that would be the sensible thing to do.
Some bike clothing shop or other is all over my Facebook advertising "summer is here". In fact I am looking at a new pair of bib tights. It really is depressing. I had loads of projects planned for the summer but I just can't get motivated.
Commuter is permanently fitted with guards, and a long front mudflap. I've been in my winter boots twice this week riding to work. It's been that wet, the rear rim on my commuter wore out in a year ! I rebuilt it a couple of months ago.
I don't think my 'normal' bike shoes were used at all until May. There is a reason I have three pairs of Winter boots - 2 x Shimano MW7 and one RW5's.
The bog of doom still hasn't dried out near home - It's rideable at present, but it wasn't until about May.
I'm sitting in the departure lounge at Gatwick heading for Las Vegas and it's record high 45 degree C temps... #sorrynotsorry
I have never been rained on whilst commuting as much as this year. September to May it was at least once a week, and I only commute for 3 days! At least this week the rain was warm. Emigration would soon be on the cards if this becomes the new normal...
It started raining in July 2023 and it hasn't really stopped since. Today it's drizzly which is a break from yesterday's pissing down.
Emigration would soon be on the cards if this becomes the new normal…
It's the same everywhere though. There's more energy in the system so everywhere is suffering new highs and lows.
I'd still rather be in the Uk than Vegas though...
https://abcnews.go.com/US/death-toll-climbs-west-historic-us-heat-wave/story?id=111840989
It was the wettest winter in 130 years according to reports.
Wet winter is ok. But wet summer is depressing. Too hot to ride indoors. Too hot to wear waterproofs.
My Sunday roadie group has done less miles this year than ever before. They don't mind cold but the endless rain has depressed everybody. I am now looking for that moon on a stick, the lightweight waterproof so I can ride through the summer!
Any suggestions?
It's more lack of sun than rain that's affecting me. Everywhere's overgrown but I think that's because people have given up. I'll be taking secateurs next time I ride this local track, the brambles will soon be impassable in places.
At least it's not just me that thinks it's been a horrible spring/summer so far. It's bloody depressing, Tuesday it hammered down all day and yesterday it drizzled all day and didn't get above 13deg here!
Currently sitting on the sofa in the conservatory, blanket round me, sipping a coffee, listening to the pitter-patter of the rain and thinking about soup. It's a perfect, cosy, mid-October kind of day.
Shame it's mid-July.
“ I’m sitting in the departure lounge at Gatwick heading for Las Vegas and it’s record high 45 degree C temps… #sorrynotsorry”
Definitely 2 things in that post to not brag about.
On a positive note, been very impressed with the Ass Saver Win Wing that I got for the bike last winter and still using despite it now being July (also very quick to swap between bikes)
Shorts an t shirt here. I mean its still raining but i’ll be **** if i am bending to its will.
Yep, made the mistake of wearing a lightweight packable waterproof jacket one day last week, removed it within 3 minutes. Have been reasonably lucky in that I've escaped most of the heavier rainfall; it's not been enough to sodden clothing while commuting.
Last year was tosh but Managed to miss it from August onwards after a back injury, Surgery and recovery. Then End of January till May was taken up with recovering from Car accident, sorting last minute Wedding Prep (which turned out to be the hottest day of 2024) here in Rishton 27 degrees.
I’ve finally managed to start 2024 bike season, every ride has been cloudy, drizzle and 13 to 17 degrees. Mud everywhere, even the canal gravel is muddy. July in 2020, 2021 and 2022 it was roasting and dust everywhere.
Just can’t even see any Sunny and warm weather happening now. Forecast says showers, thunderstorms and rain for the next 5 days. Have even contemplated just taking my Hardtail for a road ride.
I had a nice 170km road route planned for today around the Exe Estuary.
No rain forecast, minimal wind, 17-18°c.
Guess what? It's pissing down ☹️
Hardly ridden off road this year. Bought a hravel bike but only used it on the road so far. Just so fed up with the mud.
Been out 3 or 4 times every week since Jan. Never ridden this much for years.
The rain can GTFO, I will be dead one day.
It’s mixed isn’t it - some days rain is forecast and it doesn’t appear. Every other day is rain of some type I guess.
That said a few weekends ago we did BPW / Brechfa / Risca / Tirpentwys and the bike was absolutely covered in dust. Made a nice change from mud.
Despite the weather Strava is showing me at my highest mileage ever for this time of year. Some of Zwift but quite a bit is commuting and mtb.
It’s more the lack of nice sit in the garden weather that’s bothering me - we’ve sat out maybe 2 or 3 times max. Forecast always shows some rain due - would be nice to get at least a 2 week period of hot / sunny weather at some point this summer.
I had a nice 170km road route planned for today around the Exe Estuary.
No rain forecast, minimal wind, 17-18°c.
Guess what? It’s pissing down ☹️
Stopped raining by 9, so I went out anyway ?
It did chuck it down at about 85km, so I stopped for a coffee and cake.
“ I’m sitting in the departure lounge at Gatwick heading for Las Vegas and it’s record high 45 degree C temps… #sorrynotsorry”
Definitely 2 things in that post to not brag about.
It was LV or Phoenix for Flagstaff/Sedona but LV had the better flight times. It'll be nice just having a dusty bike.