The Complete Guide to Mountain Biking in the Rain

Not every day can be sunny and clear. But with a little preparation and the correct equipment, every day CAN be a terrific day to go mountain biking. While a little rain would make the ordinary cyclist stay indoors, mountain bikers are a hardy bunch that won't allow a little rain stop them from having fun on two wheels. Raindrops in your face while riding down a trail can be a lot of fun! Rain, however, is no joke. It may ruin bikes, drench clothes, and seriously harm trails, making for an unpleasant day.

Here is our guide to mountain biking in the rain: a toolkit to prevent a muddy experience, a wrecked bike, an accident, and a devastated path.

Don’t Ruin Trails by Riding When it is Too Wet

Check if nearby trails can be used when riding in the rain before you leave. Your local trails could not be accessible in very heavy rain depending on where you live. These recommendations come from mountain bike hall of famer and trail advocate Dave Wiens: This varies widely depending on where you are, and in some places trails are blocked to prevent damage for days, weeks, or even the entire season. In certain places, trails might be usable hours after a significant rain event. Then there are those locations that ride well even when it is quite rainy. 

Always double-check with the local mountain bike group or land manager. As a general guideline, turn around and leave the trails if you are leaving deep tracks and/or mud is sticking to your tires and frame. If you are unsure of the state of the trails in your region, contact a nearby mountain biking club or trail advocacy group. Wheels can degrade trails by making deep ruts in mud or clay that enhance erosion and standing water. Rocky trails that have a gravel base or sandy/loamy soils, such as decomposed granite (DG in dirt slang), have a tendency to drain quickly, making them better suited to withstand riding in wet conditions.

Invest in A Quality Waterproof Jacket

You get what you paid for, as the phrase goes. It is crucial to have a top-notch jacket that is

1. entirely waterproof and breathable
2. thoroughly seam taped
3. specifically made for mountain biking if you want to stay dry and toasty in the rain

Lightweight/packability, vents, 2.5 or 3-layer fabric, and a detachable hood are features to seek for. Look for a jacket with reinforced shoulders if you frequently cycle with a bag. Longer sleeves, additional coverage in the back, and improved shoulder mobility are all features of jackets made specifically for use when riding a bike.

Layer Properly

Put on light layers beneath your jacket. For baselayers, we advise Merino Wool blends since they naturally resist odor (unlike 100% polyester) and drain moisture away from the skin while offering excellent temperature control. Avoid using 100% cotton in cold weather at all costs! Cotton stays wet when worn inside a waterproof jacket, leaving you cold and clammy.

Throw on Some Mudguards (Fenders)

Driving systems, bearings, suspensions, and riders are all susceptible to damage from mud. Mudguards are one of the finest ways to stop mud from flying up from your tires and onto you and your bike. Applying a silicone-based water-repellent spray to the underside of your fenders and frame can prevent collected mud from weighing down your bike. It will be easier to clean up after the ride if the impacts of mud on you and your bike are kept to a minimum. If you can bear the added weight, think of it as extra strength training; also, some people claim that cleaning your bike after a ride can be extremely therapeutic (please be mindful of the environmental impact of those sprays.)

Waterproof Your Ride 

Bikes can be damaged by rain. Chains may corrode, rust, or seize as a result. Use more lube on your chains than you would in dry weather to prepare your bike for rain. Chain lube that is too thin will wash right off. Consider running a full cable housing to protect your cables if riding in the rain is something you do frequently (looking at you, Pacific Northwest). To improve traction, reduce the pressure in your tires by a few bars. Fewer spills result from better traction, which also lessens skidding that harms trails.

Protect Your Head

In any bike circumstance, especially when the weather is wet, it is mandatory to wear a helmet. Grab a helmet cover, cap, or waterproof beanie that fits beneath your helmet if your helmet has the ventilation holes we all adore in the summer to keep our heads dry. Lightweight, waterproof, breathable, reflective highlights for safety, and water-flow management are qualities to seek for in a helmet cover. There is just poor apparel, as we like to say.

Make Sure You Can See

It can be challenging to spot those tree roots and mud puddles that always seem to pop up out of nowhere when it is raining, foggy, or spewing mud. One method to keep the raindrops out of your eyes is to wear a brimmed cap underneath your helmet. To avoid blurry glasses mid-ride, apply a thick layer of anti-fog solution to your glasses or goggles.

Slow Your Roll

Although you already know that slick surfaces result from rain, we might need to gently remind you to drive more slowly. You can avoid breaking your collarbones by going down a slick hillside at a slower speed. Additionally, avoiding abrupt changes in direction will aid in preventing tire slippage.

Know Your Path, and Consider the Terrain

It is not a good idea to try out new routes on a rainy day. Keep on the beaten route. For rainy days, rocky and slate-based soils are preferable; clay can become particularly slick when wet. Ride through the woods if you can. As nature's umbrella, densely populated trees are a good location to be during a downpour. Wet roots are typically hidden just out of sight beneath a thin layer of muck, and hitting one at an angle is a surefire way to hit the deck. Pay attention to striking obstacles like these perpendicularly; if you can elevate the front wheel over the roots by giving the approach bars a little tug, you'll reduce the likelihood of having to pull up soggy patches of grass from your helmet.

Dry Hands Are Happy Hands

When getting ready for your ride in the rain, don't forget to bring gloves! It won't simply make you more comfortable to cover your hands from the rain; it will also help you have a firm hold on the handlebars and brakes as you maneuver over sloppy terrain. Gloves that provide complete dexterity and keep you warm and dry are priceless.

Shield Your Seat

Your bicycle should never be left outside in the rain. Make sure to cover your seat with a plastic bag if it is unavoidable. On your subsequent ride, your posterior will appreciate it.

Ride safely home

Make sure you are visible to the vehicles that are sharing the wet road with you when the trail fun is over. Your life could be saved by wearing fluorescent clothing accents and a clip-on rear flasher.

Wash Your Bike ASAP

Maintain your bike clean to keep it in good shape. As soon as you come home, grab the garden hose and give your bike a quick wash. When the mud is still wet, it is much simpler to remove it than when it has dried and become caked on. Spray the tires, chain, cassette, derailleur, handlebars, and frame with water to at the very least remove the muck (avoid blasting water directly at bearing and suspension seals). Before storing your bike, wipe off all of its components with a towel to prevent rust. You might wish to wash your clothes while you have the hose out. By doing this, you can stop dirt clumps from getting stuck in your washing machine. Contrary to popular perception, it is beneficial to wash your rain jacket because clean waterproof/breathable fabrics function better.

Accept the Rain

Fighting the rain in your head will just make you irritable. Mountain riding in the rain will leave you drenched and covered in dirt. Accepting this fact before stepping out the door will allow you to enjoy your ride with a sense of adventure. Now go out there and wipe the muck off your face, smash those puddles, and enjoy the journey! You won't be sorry.

Pro advice:

1. Consider wearing one fewer layer on your arms than on your chest or core if it's not too cold outside or if your course requires a lot of climbing. Arms must dissipate heat.
2. In the rain, brake pads wear WAY more quickly. Consider running stiffer metallic pads in the winter and softer, more grippy resin pads in the summer, or keep a backup set in your bag.
3. For the sake of being able to see where you are going, front fenders protect mud from splashing in your face. Mud splashes are kept off the persons behind you by rear fenders. Depending on how much you enjoy your riding partners, use with caution.
4. The choice of tire matters. Imagine knobs. Fresh, precise tread improves cornering grip, but tire width might be just as important. Narrower boosts contact pressure while wider expands your contact patch. Go wider if there are many downhill corners. Go narrower if you have a lot of technical climbing in slick muck. Find out what the local bike shop uses on the trails.
5. In case you get stopped and need to wait out the weather or call for a ride, keep a few pairs of unopened hand warmers in your pocket or luggage. Oh, and if you do need to contact a friend for a ride, ask them to bring a towel and trash bag; you don't want to spoil their car's upholstery while they are kindly offering to drive you.