It's wet and nasty out there!

daniel_b

Still, with my overtrousers, overshoes and waterproof jacket, I am in work 99% dry

DavidTQ

Daniel B wrote:

Still, with my overtrousers, overshoes and waterproof jacket, I am in work 99% dry

Its windy here as well (gusts up to 44mph apparantly) although luckily only lightish rain and actually not too cold at all.

Im still in shorts although I was wearing a light weight cycling jacket as well today.

I ditched the full water proofs a while ago as I felt them too restrictive and chunky to really get up any speed in I wound up sweating terribly in them anyway. These days I wear padded shorts and if my legs get wet they dry out soon enough I leave my work clothes at work. as long as my extremeties are warm enough im good. Im thinking come january I might need to get myself some cycling tights.

Theres a certain masochistic pleasure from being in shorts flying past cagers in the traffic in the torrential rain. You just know they are thinking "nutter" or else "ouch rather him than me" The funny thing being that its actually far more comfortable than the stuffiness of waterproofs. I think I actually spend more time smiling on my commute in the rain than in the dry, but I never look forward to cycling in the rain, just once Im out there its actually far more fun than it seems beforehand. Gives you a real sense of achievement and endurance

Belv

I always wear something over my cycling shorts (there's no excuse for men in lycra), but usually shun the waterproofs and enjoy being considered mad by the motoring majority. The feelings mutual anyway!

barry_kellett99

I rode home last night into a horrible headwind that was definitely well above 20mph.
Took me an hour and a half of hard grinding rather than 55minutes of swift tarmac pleasure.
Not impressed.

Could have got a massively wind assisted ride in today, but I dont want to go through another homeward journey like that for a few days yet.

DavidTQ

Belv wrote:

I always wear something over my cycling shorts (there's no excuse for men in lycra), but usually shun the waterproofs and enjoy being considered mad by the motoring majority. The feelings mutual anyway!

You're quite right I have no excuse for it .

Ive spent decades on the run from the fashion police anyway

Totalnewbie

Just been called 'ker-azy' as I came in looking wet and windswept!

I went with waterproof trousers over my tights as they have a fleecy inside and last time they got soaked they almost never dried in time for the journey home...seemed to work ok.

I did nearly kill myself though, when they got caught on my bottle cage. They got tucked into my boots after that, looked like I should have been on a horse not bike but at least it was safer.

georgee

just hung up the kit to dry... security had confiscated my helmet last night as my bike didn't have its tag on, very kind of them so the full force of rain in my eyes thismorning. I now have it back, but was cautious all the way to work then fell off entering the car park when I hit the gloss painted floor with my gatorskins!

Now all I need is a copy of the metro off one of those idiot rail commuters to get my shoes dry.

daniel_b

Alas I only have a 2 mile commute, so can get away with the waterproof gear over normal semi casual work gear.

Montane featherlite gear isn't chunky at all, and from my own experience can cope with a reasonable downpour.

I have a pair of Altura trousers as well, these keep out the rain, and are a b it warmer than the Montane's.

Both (not together) tuck into my overshoes, to give a nice water tight-ish fit....

I use a Briko jacket: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... f%20Jacket

Have also just bought one of these, but have yet to use it: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=11931

Gets rave reviews on crc though.

Dan

il_principe

Totalnewbie wrote:

Just been called 'ker-azy' as I came in looking wet and windswept!

I went with waterproof trousers over my tights as they have a fleecy inside and last time they got soaked they almost never dried in time for the journey home...seemed to work ok.

I did nearly kill myself though, when they got caught on my bottle cage. They got tucked into my boots after that, looked like I should have been on a horse not bike but at least it was safer.

That's why I stick to Lycra! I agree with DavidTQ, no point in waterproofs (except for on the feet) I came in today in legwarmers, bibshorts, winter jersey and my fantastic Castelli Solo jacket, which is windproof and although not classed as waterproof, kept me dry. Did wear some neoprene overshoes though as IME wet cycling shoes will not dry out by hometime!

On another note, my new singlespeed Pearson has got Deep V rims on and christ they are a pig in a crosswind. I'm not used to deep rims at all and didn't enjoy the sensation of the wind tugging at my wheels in the presence of heavy traffic!

Still I quite like commuting in the wind and rain, just imagine how steamy and stinky the tube is on days like this...

El Capitano

Daniel B wrote:

Still, with my overtrousers, overshoes and waterproof jacket, I am in work 99% dry

I too am 100% dry, due to my use of a Subaru Legacy and an underground car park.

(Yes, I know, I whimped out of the commute today, but the wind is too strong here to make riding a safe option)

Adamskii

The wind is a pain at the moment. I don't mind a constant head wind but it's the sudden gusting cross winds that tend to blow you towards the traffic. Leaning into the wind only for it to suddenly gust the other way blowing you into the kerb. That coupled with drizzle and a greasy road makes me very nervous!

Gambatte

Belv wrote:

there's no excuse for men in lycra

hmm, speak for yourself deary!!

El Capitano

Adamskii wrote:

The wind is a pain at the moment. I don't mind a constant head wind but it's the sudden gusting cross winds that tend to blow you towards the traffic.

How true. Its one of the huge disadvantages of living by the coast.

misterben

Well, today was better than yesterday for me. Yesterday I was completely soaking - thankfully my rucksack kept everything dry, so I had a dry set of work clothes. Trousers hadn't quite dried out when it came time to put them on to go home, but it was a great ride home last night.

This morning wasn't too bad - bit of rain, but some large puddles - really need to get some sort of mudguard on the back - fed up of having a wet arse

Current "cycling" clothing for my commute consists of:

1 pair jogging bottoms
2 t-shirts (1 each way)
1 Karrimor waterproof jacket
1 pair fingerless gloves

It's going to get tricky when it gets cold /me needs more kit for Christmas....

DavidTQ

Daniel B wrote:

Alas I only have a 2 mile commute, so can get away with the waterproof gear over normal semi casual work gear.

Montane featherlite gear isn't chunky at all, and from my own experience can cope with a reasonable downpour.

I have a pair of Altura trousers as well, these keep out the rain, and are a b it warmer than the Montane's.

Both (not together) tuck into my overshoes, to give a nice water tight-ish fit....

I use a Briko jacket: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... f%20Jacket

Have also just bought one of these, but have yet to use it: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=11931

Gets rave reviews on crc though.

Dan

I do 7 miles each way up some quite nasty hills, sweating in water proofs was a big issue for me. I also like to feel "nimble" "agile" and "free" on a bicycle, I guess on a short commute you cant really stretch the legs so much anyway so the loss of freedom in waterproofs is less of an issue.

If I lived in a less hilly area Id be looking for a longer scenic commute route .

daniel_b

misterben wrote:

It's going to get tricky when it gets cold /me needs more kit for Christmas....

I can personally recommend these 2:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360030240&N=Exertec%20Technical%20T
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360032244&N=Exertec%20Long%20Sleeve%20Technical%20T

And this for even more warmth: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11898 Only in size small though - but fine for up to a 38" chest.

I also bought a couple of 'hiking' fleece zipper jackets from Decathlon on Sunday, which are perfect for a cold cycle ride under a windproof jacket, if you have a store near you, they are £12.95.

Dan

ellesse

Thanks for the heads up on the base layers Daniel, i almost had a heart attack when i saw the price and fell into a panic buying frenzy.

Plax

just hung up the kit to dry... security had confiscated my helmet last night as my bike didn't have its tag on, very kind of them so the full force of rain in my eyes thismorning. I now have it back, but was cautious all the way to work then fell off entering the car park when I hit the gloss painted floor with my gatorskins!

??? Why would security confiscate your helmet? Surely they should have had your bike instead, or do what our lot does - tell you you can't come in without your pass, unless your manager comes down to collect you in person.

pst88

Today was the first time I had to ride in any serious rain. My top half stayed perfectly dry thanks to my Altura waterproof jacket but my legs (jeans) got absolutely soaked. Looks like its time to get some waterproof trousers too.

I had a bit of a problem with water accumulating on my glasses making it impossible to see where I was going. Luckily my eyesight isn't too bad so it was better to just ride without the glasses. Anyone have a solution to this problem? A massive visor to keep rain off the glasses?

DavidTQ

pst88 wrote:

Today was the first time I had to ride in any serious rain. My top half stayed perfectly dry thanks to my Altura waterproof jacket but my legs (jeans) got absolutely soaked. Looks like its time to get some waterproof trousers too.

I had a bit of a problem with water accumulating on my glasses making it impossible to see where I was going. Luckily my eyesight isn't too bad so it was better to just ride without the glasses. Anyone have a solution to this problem? A massive visor to keep rain off the glasses?

Jeans feel horrible when wet they really cling to you and weigh down your movements, I found water proof trousers sweaty and cumbersome on my 7 mile each way commute, I now cycle in the rain in lycra padded shorts when it gets colder will wear longs, as do quite a few others. Your legs will soon dry out when you get to your destination and you'd be amazed just how comfortable it is even in trully torrential rain.

It sounds crazy but it really is far better cycling in the rain in shorts than in trousers with waterproof over trousers if you are going any sort of distance. Ive got waterproof trousers that I wore for the first month or so (on rainy days) they gave me the confidance to cycle in the rain to begin with but after a while I tried what the guys here recommended and realised they werent wrong. Ive not worn my waterproof trousers since I got my lycra shorts

Not only is it more comfortable and faster you get to be all macho as well "IM tough enough to cycle whatever the weather whilst wearing shorts", I really am not feeling the weather on my legs they are working hard enough to kepp warm and the lycra moves perfectly with you even when wetso it doesn hamper your movements and yet stays warm. You really cant beat cycle specific clothing for cycling, I did try as have many others

I think the most important thing is to keep the wind of your abdomen your extemeties warm and other than that you just want it all light weight and easy to move in and as breathable as possible.

It takes a while to "get over" wearing lycra, I never wanted to be seen dead in it, but it was so well recommended here that I got over it enough to try it, and the sheer practicality and suitability of it eventually gets you over the manly aversion to the thought of wearing lycra

pst88

DavidTQ wrote:

It takes a while to "get over" wearing lycra, I never wanted to be seen dead in it, but it was so well recommended here that I got over it enough to try it, and the sheer practicality and suitability of it eventually gets you over the manly aversion to the thought of wearing lycra

That's the problem I have. I am tempted by the lycra shorts but dare I cross the final frontier?

Gambatte

pst88 wrote:

That's the problem I have. I am tempted by the lycra shorts but dare I cross the final frontier?

Yep, got 2 pair of Decathlon bib tights off the clearance rail. I might wear them outside....eventually :?

DavidTQ

pst88 wrote:

DavidTQ wrote:

It takes a while to "get over" wearing lycra, I never wanted to be seen dead in it, but it was so well recommended here that I got over it enough to try it, and the sheer practicality and suitability of it eventually gets you over the manly aversion to the thought of wearing lycra

That's the problem I have. I am tempted by the lycra shorts but dare I cross the final frontier?

The guy at the cycling shop where I brought them said once youve tried them you will never go back. I thought to myself "yeah right". The first day I wore the shorts under jeans and found myself over heating and convinced myself I was right and lycra wasnt any good, second day to be sure I went without the jeans feeling very self conscious. Ive never worn anything but lycra on the bike since... To begin with I did feel self conscious setting off at the start of each ride but after a while you forget about it. These days I've made peace with it, its practical, its the right gear for the job. Do you laugh at a surfer in a wetsuit?

I still hold dearly to the idea that the TT guys shaving their legs are weirdos Luckily I have no sporting dreams so I wont have to cross that barrier.

Gambatte

Thread title seems even more apt today. Due to various reasons including an outbreak of cold symptoms within the family etc I’ve been in the cage this week. Noticed plenty braving it out in all weathers tho’. 8)

First time in ages I’ve had to put the screen wipers on the fastest setting. Visibility for car drivers seriously impaired, but there doesn’t seem to be a proportionate decrease in speed? :evil:
Managed to upset a couple of drivers, behind me, this morning by refusing to overtake cyclists where I couldn’t give them 4’ of room

DavidTQ

Gambatte wrote:

Thread title seems even more apt today. Due to various reasons including an outbreak of cold symptoms within the family etc I’ve been in the cage this week. Noticed plenty braving it out in all weathers tho’. 8)

First time in ages I’ve had to put the screen wipers on the fastest setting. Visibility for car drivers seriously impaired, but there doesn’t seem to be a proportionate decrease in speed? :evil:
Managed to upset a couple of drivers, behind me, this morning by refusing to overtake cyclists where I couldn’t give them 4’ of room

The cyclists all thought "he's a cyclist"I know I do on the rare occaision I see a motorist give me a REAL amount of space

daniel_b

ellesse wrote:

Thanks for the heads up on the base layers Daniel, i almost had a heart attack when i saw the price and fell into a panic buying frenzy.

No worries
I just bought another 2 last night as well

I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised, they seem very, very good quality to me, and as a bonus, are perfect to wear for squash/badminton or a host of other sports no doubt.

Also reckon in the summer, they would happily do the job of being worn instead of a jersey, if you fancied it.

Dan

Hairy Jock

Its been a lovely day, can understand what you are complaining about...

Gambatte

Hairy Jock wrote:

Its been a lovely day, can understand what you are complaining about...

Think you're reading the late edition Jock, you're 2 days late!

Totalnewbie

Aargh, it's so WINDY! Last few commutes I've had the wind against me homeward, apologies to any cyclists behind me on Albert Embankment last Thurs as I had a good blaspheme when it seemed that I was about to stop making progress entirely despite being in a very low gear!

It seems the wind was in my face this morning though, and according to Metcheck I should be blown home, if the b*gger doesn't turn around!

Belv

Rain and very cold weather at the same time require waterproofs to stop the windchill. Otherwise I, too, prefer to just get wet. However my lycra shorts are always covered over. Just NO!


The wind has also been slowing me down on the way home for the last week. It's best for my job that way round though, cos i don't need extra incentives to get home but going to work is another matter!

graeme_s-2

It was absolutely wild this morning! At one point I ended up out of the saddle on the flat on my fixie just to keep going forwards.