Super Soaking Mud Machine

Puddles are your friends that get you soaking wet and muddy. With the right kit you can catch more of the spray.

You don't need rain for this, just big puddles. We've tried this several times and got totally soaked every time we went through a puddle.

If you're a hardcore all terrain mountain biker, you probably enjoy all the water spray your tyres throw up. It's all part of the wet fun experience, just like a jump into a lake. Unless you're completely soaked and dirty you haven't been on a proper ride.

On public roads consider that puddles tend to form on the nearside of the road, where you normally ride. When you ride through puddles without mudguards, the wheels throw up a lot of mud and spray. While some hits you, even in the face, most of it flies past. What a waste!

Turn your bike into a mud slinger and get soaked on rainy days. Big puddles are your aim. If you enjoy getting splashed with mud and water then this game is for you.

Mud Machine Game

You probably wonder what the cape is for. When you ride through a puddle most of the water misses you. We've enhanced the experience a bit more for extra fun. You'll get very wet and dirty when you turn your bike into a mud machine.

Safety First

The most important thing is to check your brakes. Rain will exaggerate the negative wear of brake pads, meaning if the pads are worn down and too far away from the rim of the tires, the braking reaction will be slower and less powerful. If you ride in the rain often you will need to replace your brake pads more often.

Kit List

For the most dripping fun you'll need the right bike and clothing. Let's take a look.

Bicycle without fenders

City and touring bikes have fenders to keep the dirt and water down. Mountain bikes usually have no fenders because getting wet and dirty is part of the game. The thick tyres throw up a lot of water when you go through a big puddle.

How it works

The cycling cape catches all the spray from the front wheel and redirects it onto your body while it protects your face. The water flies off the wheels, hits the cape above, and bounces off onto your clothes. That's the magic trick.

The backside of the cape is relatively short and flies up when you go fast, so that the spray from the rear wheel soaks you from behind. Every time you go quickly through a puddle you get soaked front and back.

Comfy Clothes

We prefer thin and soft sportswear because it feels good when wet and is easy to clean. Casual clothes like a long sleeve tee sirt and jeans work well too. Your clothes will get very wet and dirty, more than on a regular rain ride.

Cycling Cape

Any old leaky cycling cape (or a new one) is all you need since you'll get wet from below. It catches mud and water that would otherwise fly past you and redirects it onto your clothes, not into your face. Cycling capes are not so good for swimming, but provide a cosy cover when cycling in the rain.

Let's Get Wet

As you cycle in the rain with the hood up you will stay fairly dry. Just a bit of spray from the tyres gets you damp with anticipation. As you cycle along in search for big puddles, you will get slowly wet from a constant spray of water from the front and rear wheels.

We recommend you keep the hood down so the rain can run into your collar and soak the clothes inside. The hood will fill up with water over time which you can flush down inside your cape to get refreshed.

Seek out some big puddles. Explore them carefully for any dangerous pot holes. Once you decided that they are safe run through them at high speed and get a big shower from below.

Some puddles may be knee deep or more. Those are great for taking a break. Sit or lay down in the water to get your clothes completely wet. Huddle up in the cape and enjoy the rain falling on your head and clothes. Absolute bliss.

Our intern Pierre tests the Mud Machine

Pierre from France is one of our interns, which means he gets to try out a lot of kit or wet activities. When we asked him to see what fun could be had riding through puddles with a cycling cape, he got all excited. Just the kind of game he likes. He came back soaking wet and muddy, looking happy. Here is his report:

The Ultimate Thrill of Cycling on the Mud Machine

As an avid cyclist, I've always been drawn to the exhilarating experience of riding through rain-soaked streets and getting completely drenched. There is something undeniably thrilling about feeling the water droplets pelt my skin as I navigate through puddles on my mountain bike with no mudguards.

The editor of this wetsite asked me to take it up a notch by adding a cycling cape to the mix and go through big puddles. Let me tell you, it was an experience like no other!

The moment I put on the cape, I could feel the excitement building up in me. I knew that this was going to be the kind of ride I live for, the one where I get soaked from head to toe while having the time of my life. As I mounted my bike and set off into the rain-drenched streets, I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.

The first puddle I encountered was a small one, just big enough to send water splashing up onto my legs. It was a mere taste of what was to come, but it was enough to make me giggle with delight. As I continued pedaling through the rain, I found myself seeking out larger and larger puddles, eagerly plowing through them and feeling the satisfying sensation of mud and water being thrown up from my wheels onto my clothes.

The cycling cape proved to be an excellent addition to this wet and wild adventure. It effectively deflected the water away from my face and onto my clothes, keeping my vision clear and allowing me to fully immerse myself in the experience. However, it did little to protect the rest of my clothing from getting repeatedly drenched. The water simply found other paths onto my clothes, soaking them thoroughly as I reveled in the thrill of riding through puddles with reckless abandon.

As the rain continued to pour down and my clothes clung tightly to my body, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of joy. The combination of a cycling cape and the lack of mudguards created a perfect storm (pun intended) of wetness that left me feeling invigorated and alive.

By the end of the ride, I was completely soaked from head to toe, my clothes heavy with water and my skin prickling with goosebumps. But despite the chilly temperature, I felt warmed by the adrenaline coursing through my veins and the sheer fun I had experienced.

When I returned to the office, they already had a steaming hot bubble bath prepared for me. I quickly jumped in, cape and clothes and all. The water turned a muddy brown as I relaxed and splashed around for almost an hour. What bliss.

In conclusion, puddle cycling in the rain with a cape is an exhilarating adventure that every thrill-seeker should try at least once. The combination of getting soaked from head to toe while having clear visibility and feeling the buzz of water being deflected onto your clothes creates an unforgettable experience.

So next time it rains, don't hesitate. Grab your cycling cape, hop on your bike with no mudguards, and embrace the joy of riding through puddles in all their glorious messiness!