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Bicycle commuters who ride through Ladd's Addition in Southeast Portland have been treated to views like this in recent days -- but they all know the fall colors will soon be replace by winter rains.

(John Killen)

It's looking like another dry October day in Portland and according to the National Weather Service, it could be this way well into next week.

Woo-hoo!

But we all know that these dry days are going to end eventually, and if you're among the thousands of area residents who commute by bicycle, you may be wondering whether you'll want to continue to do so once the rain begins to fall ... and fall ... and fall.

After all, who wants to put up with all that moisture coming down from the sky and coming up off your wheels? You end up soaked on top and soaked on the bottom. Right?

Well, not necessarily. If you take some time and spend a little money to prepare yourself and your bike, you can actually commute pretty comfortably even on Portland's most miserable days, says Tri Le, a former salesman at River City Bicycles in Southeast Portland.

"It's about being prepared yourself and having your bike prepared," Le said. If you have the right gear and keep your bike in good condition, "you don't have to think about it and you'll have more motivation to get out there," he said.

First of all, there's your bike.

Le said the first thing to do involves general maintenance. "Everything from checking out your tire air pressure to the condition of your braking system – which is hugely important."

He said if you keep your bike clean through the winter, it's more likely to keep working better and you are more likely to keep riding.

Brakes

Unless you're a bit of a bike mechanic yourself, it's probably a good idea to take your ride to the local shop and have someone check your brakes. Many shops will do so for free, especially if you go where you bought your bike. Le pointed out that while a lot of newer bikes have disc brakes, the majority still have rim brakes and it's important that the pads still have meat on them and that they'll work well in the wet. A good mechanic can also adjust them so they won't drive you (and others) crazy by squeaking all the time.

Fenders

Fenders will help keep you dry and they'll also help cut down on the amount of road grit that gets on your chain and other moving parts, and that will help them last longer. Le recommends full-length fenders if your bike can accommodate them. They're more stable and will deflect more water and debris. If your bike can't accommodate full-length fenders -- some road bikes don't have enough clearance between the tire and the crown of the fork -- "anything is good." That includes clip-on or strap-on plastic fenders. "Only disadvantage there is: that doesn't help with stuff being thrown on your feet," Le said.

Tires

Le said if your tires are in good shape, there's probably no need to change them. But you should check them over to make sure they still have good tread life and that they don't have any big cuts. If they've worn thin or have cuts, you probably want to replace them. It's no fun fixing flats on a sunny day and a lot less fun trying to do it in the cold and rain.

Chain

When you take your bike in to have your brakes checked, have your chain checked at the same time. Chains stretch with use and eventually can begin to slip. They also eventually wear out and if your chain gets old enough, it could break in the middle of your ride to work some cold morning. That would be even less fun than getting a flat tire. And keep your chain well-lubricated.

Lights

Given that darkness will soon fall about 4:30 p.m. and remain until 7:30 a.m., lights take on even greater importance. A headlight and tail reflectors are required by law after dark, but you'll be even safer if you have good, strong lighting, Le said.

"I'm a firm believer in the safety factor," he said, noting that lights can help not only in the dark but on cloudy or foggy days. Plus, he said, it's also a courtesy to motorists to make sure they can see you clearly.

He said choosing a headlight can depend on where you ride. If you spend all your time on well-lit streets, then a standard headlight that simply allows you to be seen is probably fine. But if you ride in areas that aren't well-lit, Le recommends you consider a stronger LED-style light that actually illuminates your path. Some are nearly as strong as the headlight on a motorcycle.

"You really need to project something that allows you to see in front of you," he said.

As for rear lights, Le suggests using at least two. He wears one on his backpack and attaches the other to the back of his saddle.

Clothing

The biggest thing is having some waterproof clothing, he said. "When you get set up like that, the ride can be that much more pleasant." He suggests rain pants, a rain jacket, waterproof or water-resistant gloves and waterproof covers for your shoes.

While some pants, jackets and gloves are more waterproof than others, he said there's a lot of clothing on the market these days that will keep you dry and comfortable, depending on conditions and how long you'll out in the elements.

"You get what you pay for," he said. "The basic rain-proof things will keep the water out, but they don't have much breathability. The high-end breathable waterproof clothing keeps the water out and keeps you comfortable."

He also said shoe covers are particularly important because once your shoes get wet, your socks get wet and you can end up walking around in wet socks all day if you didn't bring along an extra pair.

He knows that some people also like to place a waterproof cover over their helmets, but he chooses not to because he likes the "breathability" that comes with leaving the helmet uncovered.

Another important article of clothing to consider for winter riding is a balaclava. That's the head cover that makes you look like a bank robber. It has an opening for the eyes, nose and -- if you choose -- mouth. Le points out that it can make a huge difference when it comes to staying comfortable on a cold day by covering the head, ears and neck. At commuting speeds, the cold air can actually hurt, he notes.

In sum, winter riding is all about preparing your bike and preparing yourself. If you take care, dress right, keep your bike in good shape, Le said, you can keep riding all winter and still have fun.

-- John Killen