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Bad weather biking: The golden rules

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<strong>TAKE A BREAK: </strong>A good idea is to wait a while when rain starts for some of the muck to be washed off road surfaces.  <em>Image: Arrive Alive </em>
<strong>TAKE A BREAK: </strong>A good idea is to wait a while when rain starts for some of the muck to be washed off road surfaces. <em>Image: Arrive Alive </em>

Driving in bad weather presents several challenges. We shared information on this as well as some safe driving techniques on the Arrive Alive website in a section titled “Driving in Bad Weather”. But what about bikers who are even less protected against the elements?

Arrive Alive decided to raise this with our bike safety instructors from Bike Talk and they shared these insights and answers:

“It’s 7am on Monday an though the weatherman had announced clear skies were in today’s forecast dark rain-clouds are looming. While sipping your coffee, you try to estimate just how soon they’ll be hovering over your house and contemplate: ‘If I leave now, maybe, just maybe I’ll be able to make it without getting wet'."

After all, that shiny bike of yours, sitting in the garage all night, is begging for you to take it for another spin. You glance back up at the clouds and decide that, yet again, you will chance it and ride.”

How important is pre-trip planning for bad weather riding?

The odds are if you ride long and far enough, sooner or later you’ll be confronted with bad weather, willingly or not. It could start off as a clear day, but then turn ugly and huff and puff you around the next corner. Taking into account experience, skill, preparation and risk tolerance, riding in rain or seriously bad weather should be avoided at all costs. However, for some, riding a motorcycle in the rain can be anything from frightening to fun.

Planning involves attitude relaxed (check), good tyres (check), all weather high visibility gear, boots, gloves and rain suit (check), visor coated with anti-fog and water repellant (check). As for the route, fuel stops and rest breaks – nothing different to a normal day’s riding.

Preparing for any ride is important, but if you know you are going to hit bad weather and have no other choice but to head to it,follow these pointers that’ll get you through it.

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