Interesting. I love riding in the rain, especially here in hot, south east Texas during the summer. I find it quite odd that everyone does not have a rain bike. Back in the day we all had trainers with heavy wheels that you could throw fenders on. After training all week on a heavier trainer, (at one point I used a "space age" Viscount), it was always a thrill to race on my light Italian, sew up, silk tires steed. You might have ridden her once during the week, but she was kept pristine for race day, new tape in a light color to show off how well you kept her.
The local group I ride with have always commented on my "classic" bikes but recently on a particularly cold and wet ride they were all attempting to be on my wheel since I didn't throw up any spray. Afterwards they all pounded me on the back for riding my old rain bike! It seems they worked out taking turns behind me to get breaks from the spray and I didn't even know it! There's another advantage mentioned in the article regarding gravel. On my big wheel bike I have not a worry in the world taking off down clay, caliche or gravel roads through the National Forest I ride through. Taking into account the occasional gun shots give me some minor concern (it is Texas after all), it's usually quite pleasant off through the woods by myself and very rare that there's any traffic, just me and the hawks. I wear bright jersey's and have been known to sing quite loud, "Please don't shoot me, I'm not a deer riding a bicycle through the woods!"
I have an early 80's Nishiki Olympic 12 with big tires, fenders and mud flaps that I use as my rain bike. It was my last trainer & I've kept it all these years. I have a fond spot in my heart for this bike as it is the one I had a child carrier on the back that I took my children on rides with. Does anybody remember the little Bell helmets? Next up the grandchildren.
Happy riding!
James Doolittle
Spring, Texas, in glorious sunshine & 60 degrees!, USA