First ride to really scare me

[MightyZoltar]

I've only been riding for around 9 months, with real miles done in the past 7 weeks. Today, riding down the A3 in the dark with torrential rain and brisk winds, I was on edge.

Being blinded by rain, so much so that i was sure the inside of my visor was wet, was not ideal. The wind trying to blow me into other cars was somewhat scary. Took a short break 2/3 of the way home, to check for internal visor rain, and generally have a calm down.

Any suggestions as to how to deal with such a ride? Does it get easier with time?

[Suntan Sid]

[moppy]

Fucking hell, can fully sympathise.

Was on the A46 coming back from Nottingham to Leicester today, waited for the rain to stop, but there was still a fine drizzle but bloody hell the wind was intense. Especially when I was crossing the trent river and some very open parts of the A46. Was getting blown all over the place on my little 125!

Started reciting "loosey goosey loosey goosey" to remind myself not to tense up. Even made a song out of it

[doggone]

With a bike you just need to be prepared to not go or delay a journey sometimes.
Like it or not bad weather isn't just an inconvenience but a potential threat to survival.

[shereen]

[P.]

Been riding a while now and still get a bit iffy when the first rain comes after our lovely summers

Have been blown sideways before, like physically sideways, forced into the middle lane through win. Bike kinda drifted on the water. That is pretty scary

[Flip]

[itsdave]

Medway Bridge in heavy rain and wind no matter how often I do it, it always scares the shizzle out of me when getting blown across three lanes. I now try to use lorries as cover haha.

But like above try not to tense it can just make it so much worse.
____________________
Project cg125 current bike cbr600f sport white+ black watch out for me in central London.

[ninja_butler]

You did exactly the right thing. If you don't feel safe then slow down and stop if you need to. If it gets really bad then look for a pub or restaurant where you can dry off and warm up, and if it's seriously bad out there then give up and call someone to come pick you up by car or even book into a motel for the night. Better to spend £50 on a bed for the night than crash your bike.

[Dean-J]

The A3 is harsh for wind! My first time on the A3 was down at horndean, wind didnt seem to bad so i thought id nip down the A3 to portsmouth, That was a mistake! Got blown all over the place and ended up tucked up alongside a Lorry at 50mph until the next exit!

Im dying to take my bike through the Tunnel at Hindhead ( as you do ) but as yet im not sure i want to ride 40mile up the A3 knowing how windy it is down here at its most flat and sheltered!

Having said that, i am getting used to the wind a lot more now, i try to ride every day i possibly can, whatever the weather, figure its the only way to gain confidence.

I dont know why, but i find having earplugs in helps when its mega windy, cuts the noise out, helps me relax and loosen up. Worth a go eh!

[Hairy Ben]

[DrDonnyBrago]

[defblade]

[kramdra]

It osnt get niceer but much easier. Worst journy I had was 70 miles on me'125 with a poor headlamp, dark unknown country roads. Soaked wet gloves on the inside, and cold.


But people at work think Im crazy. Me'600 is broken so I cycled in for 2 days. 48 miles done, it was warm, I was dry an the weather was not too cold, nor hot enough to make me sweat. Then I injured my knee an now Im bussing