Nelson has a lot of grip in the rain (can't speak for the new patchwork), just don't go out on 13 year old rains that have the profile of a brick... Riding in the rain is fun...kind of nerve racking as you first are trying to figure out how much traction is there. Once that initial period is over and you start to slowly push your limits, it is a great time. I'm not riding in the rain this year, only because of what happened last. but I will again in the future....just not again at Mid-O, there is no point there.