I’ve been riding steadily for nearly three years now, and during all that time I have not once ridden in the rain. When deciding when to ride, I would always carefully check the weather forecasts. If there was any chance of inclement weather, I’d stay home. I don’t know that I’ve been scared of the rain, exactly, but I sure have avoided it.

Last year, in preparation for riding the Biking Across Kansas tour, I purchased a RainShield O2 Hooded Jacket, but I never had to wear it. Last fall I purchased a Canari Matrix Extreme jacket, which I’ve ridden in the cold, but never in rain.

But now, as I prepare to do the Katy Trail ride in a few weeks, I decided I needed to test my rain gear. And yesterday, under threatening skies and shower forecasts, I did just that.

I took along the O2 jacket, and it started sprinkling within a half mile, so I stopped and put it on. After a mile or so the sprinkling had subsided and I was getting warm, so I stopped and took the jacket back off. A half hour later or so, I could tell that it was going to rain for real, as the temperature dropped and dark clouds approached.

When it started raining again, I stopped and put the jacket back on. Within a few minutes the rain had picked up, so I stopped again to put the hood over my helmet. I was only about two miles from Gardner’s city park, where I knew there were picnic shelters. As I got closer, the rain came down harder, and as I reached the park, it was really coming down in sheets. As I waited out the storm under the shelter, listening to the rain and occasional lightning and thunder, I took stock of the experience.

And I came to a very simple conclusion: It’s only water.

Water in and of itself can’t hurt you. Yes, it can be uncomfortable. Yes, if the temperature is too cold hypothermia can be an issue. Yes, it can reduce visibility and maneuverability. Yes, if you’re out in the open lightning can be a danger. Yes, if you’re in a low-lying area flooding can be a concern. And yes, rain can play havoc with some gear, such as electronics or paper products.

It’s not much different than taking a shower. The only difference is one of control. You plan a shower. You plan to go swimming. You plan to run through a fountain on a hot way. Rain is different – it just happens whether you want it to or not.

So if it’s inevitable, then you might as well make the best of it. That means making yourself as comfortable as possible. Be prepared.

After waiting around for an hour or so (there was a lot of rain!) I headed towards home. After a bit it started raining again. Not terribly hard, but enough. But I was warm and relatively dry under the jacket. My legs were wet and my feet were cold, but it was no big deal. It was a fun ride home.

Bike-wise, the only issue was my brakes. My rims were completely grimy and stopping was a noisy, grinding business. Once home I wiped the rims and brake pads clean, and ran the chain through a rag as well, and that was that.

So next time it’s threatening rain, I think I’ll feel better about heading out into it. Now that I’ve done it once, I know I can do it. At least in summer. If the temperatures were ten degrees colder it might have been a different situation, and I probably would have to invest in some rain pants.