Does anyone ride in the rain because they have to?

[Mandy]

Hi Guys
I woke up this morning and thought oh here we go again as it was torrential rain and just kind of had to get on with it and ended up at work like a drowned rat but soon dried off within an hour and reapplied the makeup, lol
But then again at 5 it was chucking it down and it was here we go again but so much better coming home I had offers of lifts home but did not want to leave my bike overnight and some couldn't understand why I would contemplate riding in it? Well it certainly didn't bother me on the way home as a lot easier than on the way there.

I do have water proofs but I guess they are not the best as my trousers get wet around the knee bending area where I pedal and it must just penetrate in this area.

It's just that I notice many less bikes on the road/cycle paths when it is raining and just wondered It would cost me £10 to £12 on a taxi each way and am not willing to pay that too often.

Any ideas on keeping drier would be good

Mand

[Mandy]

Sorry I forgot to mention
My eyes felt uncomfortable all day after the rain lashing and I wear glasses although small.
When I rode scooters I had a visor but have not seen any available for a push bike? Mind you would look a little odd
Maybe I should just wear the DIY goggles I have and look a little odd?
LOL

[Erik]

Here's some hear-say from the serious cyclist I know:

You need to spend £200+ (some spend £400+) for good clothing that will keep you warm and dry in all situations. Don't expect it to last more than a year if you use it every day.

Cyclepants: you sweat a lot in that region, and regular knickers are not up to the job.

A good saddle is not a wide soft thing, but a narrow hard one that suits your anathomy.

The rain in the eyes also bother me - any ideas?

[Sector]

I don't have a car and work is not on a bus route so yes I often cycle in the rain.

I keep two sets of waterproofs. I have a set of lightweight breathable water resistant outer clothes. I wear the jacket most of the time, and put the trousers on at the slightest sign of rain. They were cheap and are only effective in light rain. They get grubby pretty quickly and they get washed and re-proofed. They are good for stopping windchill and I can pedal hard and not get wet with sweat. I wouldn't want to spend hundreds of pounds on top quality breathable gear because I would want to keep it clean rather than wearing it.

I also carry some non-breathable waterproofs for more serious rain. They beat any of the "breathable" fabrics for water-tightness but I have to use the battery more and avoid putting any effort into the pedalling to minimse sweating.

Hoods are an essential feature on the waterproofs. The hood is put up first, then the helmet covers it. The helmet clamps the hood down and stops the wind getting into the hood. This is quite a comfortable arrangement, particularly if the helmet has a peak to reduce the rain reachnig your face. The hood keeps your hair dry and stops water trickling down your neck, which makes rides in the rain much more tolerable.

This combination works for me, but then its only 2.5 miles to work. That is far enough however to get drenched or soaked with sweat, as I know from experience.

[Larkspur]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Sorry I forgot to mention
My eyes felt uncomfortable all day after the rain lashing and I wear glasses although small.
When I rode scooters I had a visor but have not seen any available for a push bike? Mind you would look a little odd
Maybe I should just wear the DIY goggles I have and look a little odd?
LOL

Hi Mandy,

I'm afraid I haven't actually experienced riding in the rain yet, as I'm still waiting for my Pro Connect to be delivered. However, I do have a clear recollection of the pain of riding a motor bike in the rain with an open face helmet (30 years ago when I was a teenager) - like needles going into your face. Wiggle has a great range of goggles for cyclists, see link below - I can't testify to their effectiveness but they look like they'd do the business, though not sure how well they'd work with specs. Also, they're not particularly cheap. I'm sure other cycle shops must sell them as well.

Goggles - Cycle | Cycle | Wiggle - The UK's #1 Online Bike & Cycle Shop

Chris

[john]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Sorry I forgot to mention
My eyes felt uncomfortable all day after the rain lashing and I wear glasses although small.
When I rode scooters I had a visor but have not seen any available for a push bike? Mind you would look a little odd
Maybe I should just wear the DIY goggles I have and look a little odd?
LOL

This might do the trick:
http://www.louisgarneau.com/catalogs...pg&desc_type=1

[Steveb63]

Hi Mandy

Commiserations, Got pretty soaked myself on Tuesday - my commute is 8 miles each way - but my philosophy is just to wear the minimum - light waterproof jacket and shorts - and have an change of clothes waiting at work.

I'm a pretty fussy glasses wearer too - but again - I rinse them off when I get to work and clean them with a special piece of soft cotton that I keep at work! any guesses !

Steve.

[maryinoxford]

I do live on a bus route to work, so mostly I wimp out if it's raining. If dry, I usually have some "just in case" waterproofs. Have you seen "Rainlegs"? Rainlegs Kind of like a farrier's split apron, it protects the top part of your legs which catch the worst of the wet. Light to carry, and might be good to reinforce waterproof trousers that aren't quite up to the job.

Mary

[john]

Originally Posted by maryinoxford

I do live on a bus route to work, so mostly I wimp out if it's raining. If dry, I usually have some "just in case" waterproofs. Have you seen "Rainlegs"? Rainlegs Kind of like a farrier's split apron, it protects the top part of your legs which catch the worst of the wet. Light to carry, and might be good to reinforce waterproof trousers that aren't quite up to the job.

Mary

Looks like the rain would just run off onto the uncovered part of your trousers.

[essexman]

I've heard on forums that those rain legs are useful for a mile or two in light to medium rain. So good for in town short hops and are low bulk when off.

I ride in the rain but not usually on my pedelec! The pedelec is an anti sweat device, but in a waterproof i'm just going to sweat anyway.

That said when its cold enough for me not to sweat, sometimes i cycle in normal clothes top half + waterproof and shorts and trainers bottom half. Then change into trousers and workshoes at work.

PS to keep rain out of eyes. I just wear cycling visor style shades and keep them clean. A cycling peaked cap helps as well.
You do see city uber cool types in antique flying goggles. In the winter when it gets very cold, i've used ski goggles before. I suspect that horrible looking helmet visor works quite well.