- Riding in wet conditions can be a really different
challenge to ride in in summer.
And it can really help you to be a good
all around rider.
And it can also be a lot of fun.
(upbeat music)
Vision's really important in the wet weather,
so stick a front mud guard on and then use some
glasses or goggles.
If it's really raining, I definitely prefer glasses
just they're much less likely to steam up and
they're easier to clean.
Staying warm is gonna make you stay out for longer rides
as well, or at least make it more enjoyable.
So, I always use a merino base layer.
So they're really warm, but breathable and
even warm if they're wet.
Now, if it's like today, where it's not actually raining,
but the trails are really wet, you can ride in something
like this, just an outer shell layer.
It also keeps the wind off you a little bit.
That should keep you nice and dry and warm.
If it's really raining, I've got proper waterproof
shorts, trousers and a jacket that really does
make a massive difference.
It actually makes it a pleasure to
ride in the rainy conditions.
Now, you can ride in normal riding kit of course,
it's obviously gonna be a lot cheaper,
but you're probably not gonna ride as long.
Keep moving, even in basic kit you should
be able to stay warm.
So, give your bike a check over before you go for a ride
because any unexpected issues could kill morale,
and probably shorten your ride time.
Mud is gonna slow down your rolling speed and
sometimes suddenly, especially if you're going
from hard pavement or rocky terrain into the mud.
So, if you're going quite quick,
make sure you get to the back of the bike.
So, really think about dropping your heels,
getting your weight a little bit further back,
just so you don't hit it and go over the bars.
Also, it helps float that front tire just a little bit.
Moving your weight around on the bike becomes
all the more important in the really wet conditions.
So try to match your weight equally over front
and back tire to attain good grip.
Go both up and down.
Then in really muddy conditions,
you have to use steering input and your hips,
and try to keep your balance on top of the bike.
Getting the rear wheel to drive in the mud might
require a bit more weight on it.
So, slow back on the saddle.
You're unlikely to wheelie if the rear wheel
is spinning most of the time.
Hopping sections can be great for trying to
stay relatively dry.
You can get your feet absolutely soaked
by riding through puddles or blasting through streams.
So, I like to hop over them to try and keep them dry.
It can be sketchy trying to hop the whole thing,
so manual might be the better way,
as long as it isn't too deep and you drop the
back wheel into a big hole.
Now, I'm no geologist, but some rocks get super
slippery when they're wet and some don't
and stay quite grippy.
But I don't like to take my chances.
On wet rocks, I try not to brake too much,
and don't make any dramatic changes in line.
Riding in the wet can be a constant battle
of trying to find the grips.
So, keep your head up, look down the trail,
and actually look for where that grip might be.
So, sometimes look for hard patch sections or some bits
that are sheltered underneath the tree.
Rock sections, or even try and ride through the bottom
of the streams where the mud can't settle.
Sometimes that'll give you the grip you need
to clear a section.
Less grip means you'll need to slow down earlier.
Steep sections are gonna get harder,
so make sure you're moving back and entering
the section slow and in control.
Be less aggressive in corners.
You need to smooth out your cornering lines.
Make sure our inputs into the bike are more subtle.
Lean the bike less, brake more smoothly and earlier,
so you aren't dragging them as much in the turns.
Braking isn't gonna be as effective,
especially if it's really wet.
And disc brakes might need a rotation or two,
just to burn off that water.
But they can work almost just as powerfully
in the wet when they're dry.
So, your brakes might work really well,
but you're just not gonna have as much grip.
It's also worth mentioning that you've got to try
and beat a good trail system when the trails are really wet.
So, think about where you're gonna ride.
Try and ride those trails that you know
stand up to bad weather.
Don't try and go around puddles and wade in the trail,
that's really gonna ruin it.
And even on really steep fall line trails,
try not to skid down them or tear them up,
because that's where water's gonna get in there
and really cause some trouble.
If you wanna see a couple more wet winter riding videos,
click over there for my bike setup tips.
Click over there for Dottie's maintenance tips,
and how to look after your bike in the worst conditions.
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