I usually commute to work as soon as winter breaks here in Chicago until winter returns, in 2017 that was mid February until the first week of December whenever possible and practical. Once the roads are clear of snow and salt there is not many reasons that I won't ride - these are usually because I will need a car and it is more convenient to drive to work as I need to carry people or items that I can't or haven't figured out a way to do on my C650GT. The only other reason is the threat of severe weather or the overwhelming forecast of rain that just make the ride unpleasant.
If its pouring rain before I even leave for work or its raining when I have to leave for work, forget it, its not worth arriving to work soaked, having to change and deal with wet gear, etc. I have a car as an option and although I'm not against riding in the rain and have done so, why do something that I usually really enjoy at a time that its not so enjoyable and I really don't NEED to ride. If its not raining when I need to leave and the forecast is less that 60-70% chance of rain at the time when I need to ride home, I'll usually ride and take my chances. Many a time the initial forecast shows a 40-50% chance of rain and the day ends up beautiful for a ride home. I usually have my rain gear stored under my seat or if its just a light rain I might just put the liner in my jacket and get a little wet. I have ridden in the rain a number of times. Do I like to ride in the rain - NO. I prefer not to and try and avoid it if I have a choice but if you get caught in the rain or need to ride you just need to slow down a bit, brake and take turns a bit slower and watch the road surfaces.
For me, my work commute is short, about 12-13 miles each way, so maybe a 30 minute ride in the rain. I think the biggest reason or "fear" that makes me avoid riding in the rain if I don't have to is the increased risk from other drivers, mainly cars and trucks. 1. We are already less visible to others on the road and the rain increases the risks of not being seen. 2. Road surface risks increase - dirt becomes mud that is more slick, leaves in the fall can become like ice, painted lines and tar snakes become slippery. 3. Your ability to brake and swerve to avoid hazards and accidents is decreased. 4. Car drivers can drive like idiots ignoring the fact that rain has negative impacts on their abilities as well so they follow too closely and other stupid driving activity. My example of this is this summer I was driving through a construction zone at 33MPH a couple miles per hour under the posted 35MPH speed limit in the rain being very careful as there was mud on the road and painted lines all over as they had rerouted the lanes plus concrete barriers on the sides to direct traffic. Some guy in a pickup truck was right on my tail and at some point honked at me. At the first opportunity I pulled off and let him pass but a few blocks down the road at the stop he yelled out the window about getting off the road as I was going too slow, I yelled back (maybe not a good idea) that it was a construction zone and he yelled back how no workers were even there I was going too slow. My point being, I'm told traction in the rain is generally better that we would expect and if you are careful its not a problem, the only problem, as usual, is the other other drivers out there and so there is some increased risks for various reasons.
I think whether you decide to ride in the rain, at least for me becomes a part of my risk assessment that you consider before a ride - weather, road conditions, route, time of day, gear/mechanical (tires), mental state, etc. And do you have to ride in those conditions or do you have other options. I've been commuting to work for 3 years now and ridden in the rain a number of times with no issues. There was one time last fall when I decided the rain and risks were too great - fall day and I was riding home from work after dark, before I left it started raining fairly hard and temperatures dropped to 40's and was gusty winds 30-35MPH. I decided between the rain, darkness, cold temperatures, wind and the probability of wet leaves on the pavement the 30 minute ride home was too risky, so I rode 2 miles to my parents house borrowed a car and came, parked the bike in the garage and came back the next day to ride home.
I've got a new 52 mile commute thats actually a nice ride through the countryside from Napa to Healdsburg in Sonoma County. No cement/asphalt 101 slab! I've got rain and heated gear and have ridden in rain but more by bad luck. With the right gear it was never a big deal although it wasn't much more than 20 miles at a time here and there.
Do any of you "C" riders go out in the rain? Besides being careful and assuming the white lettering and reflector bumps are like ice is it crazy to do this? I think the risk increases but is it too much? I will ride slow enough but have no interest in hitting the ground.
Thanks for your input and experience.
