Came back down from North Yorkshire on the A1 today, plan A being to go through a bit of rain and dry off in the sunny bit after. Unfortunately this translated as 50 miles of torrential rain and another 30 miles of heavy rain, road like a river and artics spraying fire-hose amounts over me as I passed them at 70 or 80. Yes, there was a sunny bit but no, drying off was a non-starter. And when I got to the last 15 miles, it rained again
I don’t know if it was visible, but I was waving my left arm about doing swimming or up-periscope impressions as I passed the trucks. Not really an experience I wish to repeat.
The rain seems to have definitely got heavier in the last decade (global warming?) I’m getting a one piece suit as the two piece lets in the water around the crotch area and I turn up at work looking like I’ve had an ‘accident’.
In the last big downpour I went through - the bikes engine temperature plummeted to just over half of normal temp due to the weight of cold water flowing over the engine and exhaust.
I agree with Sid. The rain has definitely got heavier. Waterproofs/winter gear have never been 100% dry.
I don’t mind too much if it is raining. It’s the spray you get off cars when the rains has stopped. All that **** and crap on the visor and nothing to clear it off with. I tried one of those wiper blade thingies you put on your finger. Visor lasted about a month compared to the full season I normally get from one. Damp sponge tucked into the screen was such a bad idea as it never cleared the visor properly.
The only thing I have found that works is to either stay off the bike in the wet or spray the visor with a silicone based polish. I know it’s probabley not recomended but at anything over 40mph the spray is blown off.
Every day is a good day to ride. Just some are better than others.
