Does anyone ride in the rain because they have to?

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by john

Going straight is fine but leave some more stopping distance. It's any sort of bend you need to be careful of, just take them much slower than usual, particularly tight ones.

Oh, test your brakes too, some are not so good when wet.

Very good point John with regards to the brakes!!!
I remember one day last year on my arrival at work on my PowaByke and going down the steep wet slope into the underground car park my brakes completely failed!!!
One of our Managers was negotiating a reversal into a car parking space and I had no option but to fly around the back of the car and did not come to a stand still until the very end of the car park!!!!
Her face was a picture as well as the onlookers and whilst it scared me a little I did remain quite calm and when I eventually came to a halt I almost fell off the bike laughing!!!
I guess you had to be there
Mandy

[oldosc]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Hi Moon

Well I missed it thankfully and hope you did too?
If you read the previous posts there is some great advice on keeping dry.
When riding in the rain just be careful I guess? Don't pull on the brakes too hard, bank too much and try and avoid drain covers.
In the event of driving rain in your eyes just take it slowly and try and be aware of what is happening around you. Leave earlier than normal and arrive at your destination safe although a little soggy
Happy and safe riding
Mandy

Hi Mandy, I tried to post this earlier, but we have just had a bit of a downpour, and an electric cut, does wonders for a long reply....
I think I said... I now only cycle for pleasure..but rem when I had no choise..to go to Uni before Jeans and 'sweat' shirts
when Corduroy jackets and ironed trousers were the height of cool....In rain, wore shorts..nothing keeps your legs dry.
Best dressed was a good cycle cape wear a towel round your neck to keep out seepage..use it to dry off legs, BEFORE struggling back into trousers. Hush puppies (I think) left in locker.
I have googled cycle cape, briefly ..but could not see anything that was useful...A good cape is not too light, totaly waterproof..and most important has good thumb loops to anchor it to the bars (sic) When you cycle (slightly slower, but maybe electric would not force this you are in a dry envelope.I have actually cycled to a ball in full fig, and not looked much more dishevelled than any one else, well not after an hour.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by oldosc

Hi Mandy, I tried to post this earlier, but we have just had a bit of a downpour, and an electric cut, does wonders for a long reply....
I think I said... I now only cycle for pleasure..but rem when I had no choise..to go to Uni before Jeans and 'sweat' shirts
when Corduroy jackets and ironed trousers were the height of cool....In rain, wore shorts..nothing keeps your legs dry.
Best dressed was a good cycle cape wear a towel round your neck to keep out seepage..use it to dry off legs, BEFORE struggling back into trousers. Hush puppies (I think) left in locker.
I have googled cycle cape, briefly ..but could not see anything that was useful...A good cape is not too light, totaly waterproof..and most important has good thumb loops to anchor it to the bars (sic) When you cycle (slightly slower, but maybe electric would not force this you are in a dry envelope.I have actually cycled to a ball in full fig, and not looked much more dishevelled than any one else, well not after an hour.

I saw one of those capes the other day and done a double take as didn't know they existed now?
You now have those bolt on thingys that have roll down windows and look like you could take off like "Mary Poppins"!! Have you seen them on the net?
They are available from France I believe and cost a fortune!! However my son has spotted cyclists in London with them on
Well I remember:
Tonic trousers/skirts, twin sets, Loons, Oxford Bags, Pencil skirts and David Cassidy, the Osmonds (sad) as I was a teenager of the 70's!!!

[joab]

Its called a veltop.
See it in action here: Veltop - Protection pour cycliste / Protection for cyclist | VELTOP | VELTOP

I'm using CAT (caterpillar) clothing, keeps me dry, reasonble pricing.

Kind regards,
Jo

[oldosc]

Oh la la. la la la la la la,(they actually do say that)
Looks french, wonder if it's any good in the rain..

[john]

Probably OK to hide under if you're not actually moving

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by joab

Its called a veltop.
See it in action here: Veltop - Protection pour cycliste / Protection for cyclist | VELTOP | VELTOP

I'm using CAT (caterpillar) clothing, keeps me dry, reasonble pricing.

Kind regards,
Jo

Hi Jo

The thingy has a name
Don't you think that the screen would need wipers of some kind?

I do have a problem of getting water proofs my size and even the small sizes are too big and have to roll up the sleeves and trousers
I will have to check out CAT one's and hope they come up smaller?
Regards
Mandy

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by oldosc

Oh la la. la la la la la la,(they actually do say that)
Looks french, wonder if it's any good in the rain..

Well most of the footage is done in the sunshine and does not show it in torrential rain.
You would not be able to see through that screen in heavy rain, no way!!
Ooh La La

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by john

Probably OK to hide under if you're not actually moving

May as well have a golf brolly strapped to the handle bars!!

[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.