How do you cycle commute in the rain?

pep.fermi

Currently diving ca 4000 km/yr and thinking about staying without car.

I was actually without car most of my adult life. But now that I got used....

I commute generally by bike, 6km, but I drive when it rains heavy.

If it rains only a little, I ride with normal clothes, no specific rain protection, and I change at work, where I normally keep a stack of dry clothes. I don't mind getting wet on the way if I know once at destination I can soon get back to dry-mode. Not perfect, but almost.

What's your secret strategy for cycle commute in the rain?

Overtrousers? Overshoes? Poncho?....

daniel_b

For me it hinges on what awaits me at my workplace.

I'm VERY fortunate that my office has covered and secure bike storage, lockers, showers, and critically, a drying room.

In that instance, if I get wet on the way in, I can hang my (cycling) kit up, and it's dry (As is my towel so I can stash that in my locker) for the return journey.

If I didn't have a drying room, or any means to dry clothes, I would definitely think twice.

Having written all that, I'm now looking at your post more closely, and realising you ride in normal clothes anyway, so I think your approach for that specific example is as good as you can get.

You have shoes at work I presume?

As spending the day in wet shoes would be pretty nasty I think.

If not, some overshoes could help a fair bit.

pep.fermi

Yes sure, I have shoes at work.

In fact it's beyond the rain: I ride with spd cycling shoes, and I prefer "normal" shoes at work

pep.fermi

But what specific rain protection do you use while riding?

daniel_b

Just the same as if I was riding at the weekend, so overshoes, and maybe a breathable shakedry rain jacket - although that would only be if it was absolutely hammering down.

I know I have clean dry clothes at work, ability to dry the clothes I cycled there in, and the ability to shower.

I think if you try and protect yourself from the rain too much, you just end up sweating more.

It is only water at the end of the day.

*My commuter does have mudguards, I'm not prepared to ride with both tyres chucking water/debris at me and the bike.

seanoconn

I use a Patagonia Calcite Jacket for the rain which has been excellent. It’s not a race fit, or super lightweight like high end cycling rain jackets but it’s rugged enough to wear a rucksack with and comes with helmet compatible hood with loads of adjustability. It’s actually quite fun to ride with in the rain, like having your own little shelter. Underarm zips dump heat but you would overheat in the Patagonia eventually if going hell for leather, which I don’t do in the rain.

waterproof over shoes or shoes, MTB waterproof trousers which aren’t completely waterproof and waterproof gloves which aren’t completely waterproof.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

If you've got clean work clothes at work, cycle in proper cycling gear and get changed on arrival? Take fresh work clothes in weekly and bring worn stuff home.

I used to cycle commute ~5 miles each way in all weathers, travelling in work uniform, far more comfortable outside cold winter months when I could wear shorts. In wet cooler months, I'd simply wear waterproof overtrousers.

davebradswmb

I wear lycra for my 11 mile commute, just like general riding. I'm not a lover of hardshell outer layers, I find that I get as wet from sweat as I do just from allowing the rain to percolate through my softshell jacket and base layers, though I do use a "windproof" (basically a semi-waterproof hardshell with vents) outer layer when it is really wet. I use the disabled toilet for changing, where I can have a quick wash. Getting stuff dry over the day can be a challenge in winter and sometimes my chamois is still a bit damp for the return journey which is not pleasant.

Wheelspinner

I quit work.

Problem solved.

slowmart

It’s pretty much subjective to individuals based around their own circumstances.

i take around 1 hour to ride in, get changed and then try to dry my wet clothes. Worse case it’s putting on wet kit for the home leg, no big deal and the benefits of cycling far outweigh a wet kit.

its not a big deal really, you get so used to riding in the rain you begin to not notice it……

For the foulest days I use a shakedry jacket which is a great bit of kit. For the colder weather I have a specific pair of winter cycling boots but these aren’t great in the heavy rain as the rain runs down my legs into the goretex boot but brilliant with wet roads and puddles.

over shoes are great for light rain but only marginally better than wearing nothing given the outlay, faff putting them on and off and their relatively short life.

What does happen in the summer is the pure joy of wearing only socks, bib shorts and a jersey.

kingstongraham

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21048345#Comment_21048345

Goretex boots all the way. You do need to combine them with some gripgrab gaiters (or equivalent) that grip around your calf and stop the water getting in through the foot hole when it's raining.

Danyradar

I used to ride without special rain gear in my younger years. But now that I am older, I avoid riding my bike in the rain as I get sick easily even while I'm wearing rain gear.

alwaystimetotorque

Keeping yourself as dry as possible from the water coming from the road by using a well set up good set of full guards is a must. Goretex boots with Spatz Legalz overshoes is a great combination for keeping your feet dry. If needed tape up any vents in your shoes/boots. I tend not to wear a jacket but instead use a Castelli Perfetto ROS long sleeve jersey. It doesn't keep the worst of the rain out but it's great at keeping you warm. I am lucky that I can dry my stuff in work easily enough. But if needed you could carry a dry set of cycling clothes in a bag for the return journey.

Lights are a must - the more the better. My current set up is a dynamo hub which powers a front and rear light and then a set of Exposure TraceR lights that are set to flashing. See and be seen strategy.

Cap under the helmet and a pair of photochromatic glasses or yellow lensed glasses. The cap (peak down) keeps the rain off your glasses and the yellow lenses are great for reducing the glare in the winter from vehicle headlights.