Does anyone ride in the rain because they have to?

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by kevinti

Mandy

Many years ago I used to cycle to work, and with a change of job started to use my car. I am looking at getting an electric bike so as not to use my car.

When I did cycle I used a cycle cape and my bike had good mudguards and a mudflap on the front mudguard.

The cape was from Raleigh, and had a hood, your hands went through loops and this held it onto the handlebars, I used those cycle gloves with chopped off fingers and a gel palm.

I didn't get wet much, my hands and body were dry, the mudguards and mudflap stopped most of the spray from the front wheel, the cape stopped most of the rain, and being open underneath there wasn't any problem with sweat, apart from my own through pedalling (which I got whether it was wet or dry!!).

I don't know whether you can still buy capes, I'll try a Google search, because if I get an electric bike I will certainly want another cape for wet weather.

Hi kevinti

Pleased to meet you
I must admit I do not have full mud guards on my Wisper but I am generally ok with my oversized very unattractive water proofs but would like something a little smaller, more water tight, especially around the back of the knees (I guess that come's with pedalling?) and also less bulky to carry in my rear bag. Small, light, discreet and fully water proof would be good.
I am not really sure if I would opt for the full cape, although it does look really practical.

You can still buy the finger less biking gloves as I was looking at some in Halfords at the weekend.

One brilliant thing about owning and riding an electric bike is there is NO sweat at all . I pedal all the time and no worries there. I work in an office which is very strict on formal dress, except Friday's and I haven't got my clothes dirty yet, however my hair certainly needs sorting on arrival

Have you tried any leccy bikes yet? Keep us posted on what you choose?
I would not be without my Wisper but there again I don't drive so I am totally lost without it as public transport is not good where I live

Let us know what you choose and be sure to try out the Wisper SE!

Regards

[flecc]

Raleigh Cycle Cape
.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by flecc

Raleigh Cycle Cape
.

Looks good Flecc but what about your legs You would still need waterprrof bottoms I guess

[flecc]

Possibly, but years ago when almost everyone cycled to work, just a full cape was very effective if speed wasn't too high. It's best to slow down in the wet anyway, both for safety and to avoid the stinging of raindrops in the eyes.

Riding 2 or 3 mph slower makes very little difference to most journeys anyway, and better to be comfortable for 30 minutes than uncomfortable for 25 minutes.
.

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by flecc

Raleigh Cycle Cape
.

I ordered one of those from them a couple of days ago, it should arrive tomorrow. That was the cheapest one I could find, also Argos have somethig similar for £20 but all the stores seemed out of stock.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by flecc

Possibly, but years ago when almost everyone cycled to work, just a full cape was very effective if speed wasn't too high. It's best to slow down in the wet anyway, both for safety and to avoid the stinging of raindrops in the eyes.

Riding 2 or 3 mph slower makes very little difference to most journeys anyway, and better to be comfortable for 30 minutes than uncomfortable for 25 minutes.
.

Yes you are right and I do slow down for safety reasons in the rain.
I guess years ago bikes didn't go as fast and after contemplating my youth I am sure the rain didn't fall so fast so often when I rode a bike Probably rose tinted glasses, memory fade

[flecc]

Most cycle commuting in the 1950s was at a much more leisurely pace than is common today, like all of life in fact. People were quite happy to trundle along at 8 to 10 mph.
.

[ElephantsGerald]

I chose to ride in the rain this morning (I could have taken the car), and a right drenching I got too.

I quite enjoyed it though, having got all my wet weather gear on and a waterproof cover on my paniers (which contained a dry change of clothes for the office) .

I have a hi-visibility, waterproof DHB jacket from Wiggle, wrap-around glasses (also from Wiggle), an Aussie style wide-brimmed hat, a pair of running shorts and some trainers .

The only problem is my cycle computer seems to have been killed in the process, its an un-branded wireless job supplied by WEVCO when I bought my Wisper 905SE (it says Model:JS-204 on it, but no manufacturer).

It was fine on the journey, but once I got into work the LCD display started lighting up with random digits for a couple of hours, then went blank. Now it won't switch on at all .

Aren't cycle computers supposed to be waterproof, or is mine just a shoddy example?

Regards,

Elephants

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by ElephantsGerald

The only problem is my cycle computer seems to have been killed in the process, its an un-branded wireless job supplied by WEVCO when I bought my Wisper 905SE (it says Model:JS-204 on it, but no manufacturer).

It was fine on the journey, but once I got into work the LCD display started lighting up with random digits for a couple of hours, then went blank. Now it won't switch on at all .

Aren't cycle computers supposed to be waterproof, or is mine just a shoddy example?

Mine got wet on the way in this morning so I'll let you know later, but it keeps showing 99mph anyway so I'm not sure if I'll notice another problem.

[musicbooks]

Originally Posted by Mussels

Mine got wet on the way in this morning so I'll let you know later, but it keeps showing 99mph anyway so I'm not sure if I'll notice another problem.

Maybe your legs have got a lot stronger from the commute and you haven't noticed that you are speeding
BW
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