Riding in the Rain — Tips for South Florida Wet Season

If you live in South Florida and you want to ride a bike from June through September, you’re going to get rained on. The afternoon storms here are fast, heavy, and frequent. Riding in the rain is manageable — even enjoyable once you know what you’re doing — but it requires some adjustment to how you ride and how you maintain your bike afterward.

Before You Ride

Check the radar, not just the forecast. In summer, mornings are usually clear and storms build in the afternoon. If you’re heading out early, you can often beat the rain entirely. Apps like Weather Underground or MyRadar give you a much more granular picture than a hourly forecast.

Make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated. Wet roads reduce traction, and a cracked or underinflated tire handles worse than ever when it’s wet.

While Riding in the Rain

Brake earlier and more gently than you normally would. Wet rim brakes lose a significant amount of stopping power — disc brakes are better in the wet but still require more distance than dry. Give yourself extra space in front of you.

Avoid painted road surfaces — lane markings, crosswalk stripes, manhole covers — they become extremely slippery when wet. Take corners more slowly and keep the bike upright rather than leaning hard.

Visibility cuts both ways. Drivers have reduced visibility in the rain, so you need to be more visible. A bright rear light in flash mode matters more in the rain than on a clear day.

After the Ride

This is where most people drop the ball. A wet bike left alone after a rainy ride will have a rusty chain within days in South Florida’s humidity. When you get home:

• Wipe the chain and drivetrain dry
• Relube the chain immediately
• Wipe down the frame, especially around the bottom bracket and headset
• Check that your brake pads haven’t picked up grit that could score your rims or rotors

Five minutes of post-ride care after a wet ride saves you significant drivetrain wear. For more on keeping your bike running in our climate, check out our cycling safety page or bring it in for a look.

— Matt