Riding in the rain can be a blast. You feel like a little kid as you gleefully skid through puddles, while also feeling like a badass because everyone else is inside on their trainer and you’re out in the world getting your miles in. It’s fun on all levels—that is, until you get home and have to clean up.
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So, to avoid a serious mess, a broken bike, or even stained clothes, take a look at these rules for maintenance after biking in the rain.
1. Clean Your Bike ASAP
There’s a reason that cyclocross pit mechanics immediately sprint for the washer after a race: Leaving a bike muddy after riding in the rain just means more work later. While your bike is wet, at least spray it down to get mud and grit off the frame, tires, chain, and derailleur before it dries and hardens. “It makes it easier to do a more thorough bike wash later on if you're not washing your bike right away,” explains Sue Grandjean, a former pro mountain biker.
Even if you’ve been riding on the road, hose your bike down—it’s probably got a pretty hefty amount of grime on it. “A garden hose is fine, but resist the urge to use a power washer,” says Kyle Ranson, Showers Pass CEO and a rainy-ride expert. “In the wrong hands, this can cause all sorts of damage to bearings [and other parts]. Those of you with toddlers will relate: My bike often gets a wipe down with Kirkland baby wipes.” Bonus: Clean your bike immediately, and avoid tracking dirt into the house.
2. Get Out of Your Clothes Fast
Riding in the rain might be fun, but a wet chamois is not. Between the rain, the chamois cream, and the sweat, you’ve created a bacterial breeding ground in your shorts, and you want to distance yourself from it as soon as possible. (Pro tip: If you find yourself riding in the rain a lot, keep a pair of swim trunks near your bike wash station to change into right after your ride.) Keeping your undercarriage (as well as your bike’s!) clean and dry is the easiest way to prevent saddle sores, and no one wants those.
3. Hit Your Clothes With the Hose, Too
Grandjean likes to lightly rinse off her outerwear when she’s rinsing off her bike. “This way, I’m getting the bigger mud and grime off before putting my clothing in the washing machine,” she says. “Dirt is an abrasive, and I want to make sure it’s rinsed before throwing anything in the washing machine, to avoid the mud damaging the DWR [Durable Water Repellent] on my rainwear.” The same goes for your shorts and jersey—road grime is hard to get out, but spraying it before you bother with stain removers can go a long way.
4 Rainy Ride Essentials
SealSkinz Waterproof All Weather Cycle Cap
Keep your head warm and dry with this waterproof cycling cap.
Showers Pass Lightweight Waterproof Socks
Ditch your shoe covers for these hi-vis, waterproof socks.
Waterproof, windproof, plus they're reflective.
Nikwax Nikwax TX Direct Spray-On
Refresh your favorite rain gear with this spray.
4. Pre-Treat!
Getting a black stain out of a white jersey can be tricky, and once it sets, it’s likely stuck. So after spraying it down, pre-treat it immediately with a mild liquid detergent and let that treatment sink in before you toss it in the machine. “Try not to let the mud dry on, that’s when the staining occurs,” adds Ranson.
5. Wash It Right
After a bike ride in the rain, washing your cycling gear—especially rain gear—correctly can extend a jacket’s or pant’s life and usefulness, so pay attention to care instructions. “Always machine-wash waterproof cycling gear with seam tape on cold and hang to dry,” Grandjean says. Exposure to heat can melt the seam tape and damage the waterproof membrane. If your rain jacket isn’t too dirty, you can skip the machine altogether and just rinse it with the hose to avoid using the spin cycle.
6. Give Your Chain Some Love
Of all the parts on your bike, your chain arguably takes the biggest beating after biking in the rain, so give it some attention. After you’ve sprayed it down, take a minute to quickly run a brush over it to get some of the grime off, then wipe everything dry so it doesn’t rust. Before you head out on your next ride, make sure you lube the chain so it’s good to go!
7. Dry Out the Small Stuff
Now that your bike and kit are taken care of, don’t forget the smaller stuff: your shoes and your helmet. Spray down shoes with the hose if they’re grimy and give them a quick wipe down. Again, it’s easier to clean while they’re wet versus waiting until they’re dry. “Find a good hanging spot over a heating vent or radiator to dry shoes and clothes,” Ranson says. Stuff them with newspaper and put them in a warm spot so they dry faster.
As for your helmet, make sure the pads inside are clean, and leave it somewhere warm where the pads and straps can dry out. It’s minor, but it’s pretty darn unpleasant to put on a cold, soggy helmet the next time you head out to ride. If you ride in the rain a lot, a boot dryer might also be a worthwhile investment.
