What are the safe braking techniques when riding in the rain or on wet roads?

Hey friend! Cycling in the rain definitely requires extra caution, but with the right techniques, it can still be safe and enjoyable. Let me share some of my experiences, hoping they can help you.

Imagine a wet, slippery road as if it's been coated with oil; your tires' grip will be much worse than usual. So, the core idea is: everything should be "slow" and "gentle."

1. Brake Early, Feather Gently This is the most important tip! Never wait until the last moment to brake hard. In the rain, braking distances become much longer. You should start preparing to slow down twice, or even more, the distance you normally would.

Don't grab the brakes suddenly, especially the front brake. The best method is to "feather" the brakes – gently squeeze and release, squeeze and release, rhythmically with your fingers. This has two benefits:

It helps you test the slipperiness of the road and feel the tire's grip.
It can wipe away the film of water on the rim (if you have V-brakes/rim brakes), allowing the brake pads to make better contact with the rim and improve braking efficiency.

2. Use More Rear Brake, But Don't Forget the Front On dry roads, we primarily rely on the front brake for most of our stopping power. But in the rain, the situation changes.

Prioritize the rear brake for speed control: If your rear wheel locks up and skids, you usually have a chance to recover. But if the front wheel locks up, it almost always leads to a direct fall, which is very dangerous. So, when slowing down, use the rear brake more; it feels more stable.
Assist with the front brake, gently: The front brake still provides the strongest stopping power, and you can't avoid using it entirely. When significant stopping power is needed, use both front and rear brakes together. Shift your body weight as far back as possible, sitting towards the rear of your saddle, while gently and gradually increasing pressure on the front brake. This prevents your weight from shifting too far forward, which could cause the front wheel to lose traction or the rear wheel to lift.

A simple guideline is to try adjusting your braking force distribution to "60% rear, 40% front" or "70% rear, 30% front," instead of the "30% rear, 70% front" you might use on a dry day.

3. Watch Out for "Invisible Killers" Wet roads have many "traps" where braking or turning can be extremely dangerous:

Crosswalks, road markings: These painted surfaces become as slippery as ice when wet.
Manhole covers, metal plates: Metal surfaces are absolute masters of slipperiness.
Piles of wet leaves: There might be hidden potholes underneath, and the leaves themselves are very slick.
Puddles on the roadside: You don't know if there's a flat surface or a big hole underneath the water.

The correct approach is: slow down before entering these areas, then glide over them smoothly, trying not to brake or make sharp turns while on them.

4. Relax Your Body, Shift Your Weight Back When braking, keep your arms and shoulders relaxed; don't stiffen up and brace against the handlebars. Shift your center of gravity back and down. This increases the traction on your rear wheel and makes the bike more stable.

To summarize: The essence of cycling in the rain is "anticipation" and "smoothness." Look further ahead, anticipate road conditions, and give yourself enough time and distance. All operations, whether braking, turning, or accelerating, should avoid sudden movements, aiming for silky smoothness.

Once you get used to it, you might find that cycling in the rain has its own unique charm. Safety first, happy riding!