First time in the rain!

pinkteapot

First time ever cycling in the rain this morning... And it was fine!

Wore waterproof over-trousers and jacket. Managed to put my hood up then fit my helmet on over the top. Only bits that got wet were face and hands.

Bit sweaty from wearing head to toe gore-tex, but not too bad.

Now if I only I had a Hermione to charm my glasses so they repel water, that'd be great!

I have my iPhone in a handlebar mount. This morning I thought I should have gone for a Topeak dry-bag or similar, instead of a £3.40 mount from eBay for which the phone can't be in a case. Then in a moment of inspiration I stuck my phone in a zip-lock bag and it survived the journey perfectly dry.

lockstock666

I find that summer rain isn't worth getting all waterproofed up for. Shorts and jerseys dry very quickly and I find riding along fast in the rain pretty satisfying. It actually makes me push harder. Also I'd rather get wet in heavy rain than a light sprinkle any day!

Winter rain is different as cold and wetness near the skin makes you very cold but I still tend to wear whatever it is that I would be wearing anyway and accept that it will get wet.

gbsahne001

LockStock666 wrote:

I find that summer rain isn't worth getting all waterproofed up for. Shorts and jerseys dry very quickly and I find riding along fast in the rain pretty satisfying. It actually makes me push harder. Also I'd rather get wet in heavy rain than a light sprinkle any day!

Winter rain is different as cold and wetness near the skin makes you very cold but I still tend to wear whatever it is that I would be wearing anyway and accept that it will get wet.

+1, I tend to leave waterproofs for special occasions, like snow and freezing rain. Plus my waterproof leggings aren't that waterproof anymore thanks to the cat, who decided to use them as a scratching post.

rubertoe

Waterproofs are fine, But i do tend to find that you boil in the bag,

I have a hardshell waterproof that i dispise but perservere with as at least i stay warm. I am thinking of getting a Gore (goretex) waterproof but just dont know if I can justify £200.

Keeping warm is the key,

edhornby

I avoid waterproofs where I can, I just layer up - I have a waterproof breathable gilet that I wear (part unzipped at the neck to vent) to keep the torso warm and dry because it's the engine to warm the arms but other than that I just let them get damp, just keep the wet layer warm

mudguards keep you dry, shoe covers help

Kieran_Burns

It's not getting wet that is the problem, it's getting cold.

I've cycled in some biblical downpours (scalped by Noah on more than one occasion!) and been perfectly happy as I was warm enough. In fact I've been the nutter on the bike laughing as I've gone along getting completely drenched.

Skin is waterproof, just layer up and stay warm. Get to where you are going and dry off.

pinkteapot

I wouldn't mind getting drenched if it was easier to shower at work.

Work has changing rooms with showers, but I have to carry everything with me (towel, toiletries, etc). We have cycle lockers, but 9 in the female changing rooms and 11 in the mens (don't get me started) for a staff and student population of 14,000. Strangely enough, they've all be taken so I can't have one.

rubertoe

Get one of these.

http://www.mountainwarehouse.com/travel ... el-towels/

Leave as much at work/school as you can, shoes etc, use travel size - refiliable bottles for toiletries. basically minimise the amount and bulk of what you carry to as small as poss

Benjo74

edhornby wrote:

mudguards keep you dry, shoe covers help

He's right!

Unfortunately, I decided that I wouldn't bother putting mudguards on my new commuter bike (this week is week one) as "the weather has turned better, I can wait 'till winter before I spoil the nice looking bike with unsightly mudguards".

I checked at lunchtime and my shorts were still drenched, as were my uncovered cycling shoes. Not looking forward to putting them back on for the ride home this evening. The price of vanity... :roll:

tincaman

Now if I only I had a Hermione to charm my glasses so they repel water, that'd be great!

Try furniture polish on your glasses, works for me

Davdandy

Benjo74 wrote:

edhornby wrote:

mudguards keep you dry, shoe covers help

He's right!

Unfortunately, I decided that I wouldn't bother putting mudguards on my new commuter bike (this week is week one) as "the weather has turned better, I can wait 'till winter before I spoil the nice looking bike with unsightly mudguards".

I checked at lunchtime and my shorts were still drenched, as were my uncovered cycling shoes. Not looking forward to putting them back on for the ride home this evening. The price of vanity... :roll:

Mudguards,that's the problem.i don't like to use them in the Summer but if it rains i get wet.yesterday i had an hour and a half ride,it started sunny but towards the end the heavens opened.So what do you do,keep mudguards on 24/7 or what?

gbsahne001

Davdandy wrote:

Mudguards,that's the problem.i don't like to use them in the Summer but if it rains i get wet.yesterday i had an hour and a half ride,it started sunny but towards the end the heavens opened.So what do you do,keep mudguards on 24/7 or what?

Yep, mudguards stay on the commuter all year

Davdandy

I don't commute though.My bike is simply for pleasure and although mudguards do that job brilliantly they are an eyesore.

pinkteapot

Ya bunch of jessies.

Haven't added mudguards to my bike and I commute.

Davdandy

pinkteapot wrote:

Ya bunch of jessies.

Haven't added mudguards to my bike and I commute.

Not nice when your backside is drenched through though is it?

rubertoe

Mud guards are an essential for all year round commuting.

function over form every day of the week.

asprilla

Mudguards are for the cool kids.

MrSweary

rubertoe wrote:

Mud guards are an essential for all year round commuting.

function over form every day of the week.

Quite. Especially as the spray arc from an unguarded bike in the wet is anything from a few yards to about 10 making commuting in very annoying around selfish bastards who don't fit them. :x

asprilla

MrSweary wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

Mud guards are an essential for all year round commuting.

function over form every day of the week.

Quite. Especially as the spray arc from an unguarded bike in the wet is anything from a few yards to about 10 making commuting in very annoying around selfish bastards who don't fit them. :x

It deters drafters though.

roger_merriman

MrSweary wrote:

rubertoe wrote:

Mud guards are an essential for all year round commuting.

function over form every day of the week.

Quite. Especially as the spray arc from an unguarded bike in the wet is anything from a few yards to about 10 making commuting in very annoying around selfish bastards who don't fit them. :x

unless they are traveling very slowly, thinking let alone braking distance will be longer than the ark of the spray. it's a none issue unless your too close, granted easy to be to close and plenty will just pull across etc, but still.