Riders on The Storm

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October 2, 2012

Riders on The Storm

by Oran Sands | 11 COMMENTS

I like nothing better than to ride my bike on a warm summer day and run into a brief shower or rainstorm. Delightful! However it's 50 outside, dark and drizzling rain. So how do I deal with that? Seriously I haven't got a clue! How do we deal with that?

Rain coats, windbreakers, ponchos, fenders, lots of lights? Let's hear from our long-time commuters out there. Tell us what you do!

Comments mailed to me:
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I carry packable raingear everyday and ride the bike with fenders on the days that rain is in the forecast. Good fenders do wonders at keeping road spray off of you and the bike.

Neal Bennett
Environmental Scientist

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This is not a marketing pitch for MUSA…but:

http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/ar3.htm and the MUSA rain pants…which I guess are not on the site anymore. Also a high-quality rain coat and a saddle cover for the Brooks.

I am a firm believer that either get really nice rain gear…or don't bother.

Jamison Hutchins
Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator/ Office of Sustainability

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It was a dark and stormy night…

Ron's credo: There is no bad weather, just bad clothes.

Several considerations to making your commute safe and comfortable:

1. Stay dry. I wear my office clothes to ride in so I cover up to stay clean as well as dry. I wear a simple single layer coated nylon jacket, Waterproof/breathable rain pants, a helmet cover, and shoe covers.

a. If just sprinkle or drizzle, I forego the shoe covers.

b. On the way home I may not wear the rain pants.

2. Be more visible. Lights front and rear even in daylight. Reflective leg bands too (also needed to keep pants out of the chain or on dirty stays. I have two rear lights: one flashing, one steady.

3. Keep your saddle dry. Way important if you ride leather Brooks. Buy a specific-made cover or use a shower cap (free ones from hotels work, but need replaced often). BTW, those shower caps work great under or over a helmet!

4. Fenders will as much to keep you dry as raingear. Make sure the front one extends down low, to divert the water below your low pedal position. May need to install a mud flap.

Hope this is helpful.

Thank you,
Ronald W. Gurth

Read the comments below for more info!

11 COMMENTS

I am in my 6 year of biking to work year around. My daily commute is 8.5 miles one way. Roncalli area to 16th & Andrew Jackson. If you want to bike year around: fenders are a must, rain proof socks, rain pants and rain coat that fits over back pack. (do not use poncho, blows around in wind and too loose) The colder it gets requires more layers. I biked in 5 below 0 so it is possible if dress correctly. Hands, feet, and ears need to be well insulated. Best to dress then do good warm up excercise to warm up body. Just remember you are saving on gas so use that money to buy good clothing. (rechargable batteries for all your bike lights)

Bob Buckel October 12, 2012

Shelly: Regarding packing your gear: Waterproof stuff sacks make any pannier/saddle bag/day pack usable in rainy weather. Outdoor stores carry these in many sizes for under $25 See REI link for examples.
John, re: fenders: Half-fenders are not very effective. Full coverage are needed to keep your feet and back dry.

http://www.rei.com/category/40006529

Ron Gurth October 10, 2012

I got caught on Monday afternoon as well, had my specilized jacket but just shorts, and wool socks with toe warmers, did okay but was wet and dirty when I got home, need the half fenders but have not had the money. Since my commute is long and I have to get up so early to ride to work I only ride 2 to 3 times a week so I am able to pick my battles so to speak as my focus has been on cold gear, not waterproof.

John Cook October 04, 2012

Ron: THANK YOU! I was thinking the same thing about it almost seems silly to bust out a bunch of bike 'gear' for that short of distance. Hitting Goodwill this weekend. :) The Hub is between home and work so I'll be stopping there either ont he way or on the way home to work out. In my head it seems like I will have to drag a lot of stuff around. I guess no more than if I were driving, eh? Waterproof panniers might be a good idea. Hmmm....

Shelly Williams October 04, 2012

If it's 50 and a light rain I just wear a couple wool shirts and gortex trail shoes with my cotton Dockers. Of course the bike has full fenders. If the rain is heavy and its a little cooler I'll wear my Frogg Toggs, which are always in my pannier, rubber latex gloves over my chilly weather gloves, and NEOs. This set up turns into my winter commuting gear. I've been commuting my 12 mile round trip like this for 7 years.

Kenney October 03, 2012

For Shelly: My ride to work is under 2 miles. (I liked it better when it was 6!). 'Special' bike clothes are certainly not needed for short rides, But like Jamison said, the investment in good rain gear is worth it, as it works well, and lasts a long time. But you don't have to worry about 'breathable' gear, just the 'waterproof' part, because you won't be in it long enough to build up steam (sweat). And you can stand a chill for a short ride, or even a damp, drizzle ride, with lightweight whatever jacket. Lightweight wool sweaters are great! Go to Goodwill, find 'polar-fleece', nylon windbreaker, and wind/running pants, and you are equipped for cheap!

Ron Gurth October 03, 2012

I'll be moving downtown in a few weeks and starting my commuting life. SUPER EXCITED. My commute is barely 1.5 miles, if that. Does anyone do anything differently for a short commute. Not 'rain' wise I suppose, but for cold weather?

Shelly Williams October 03, 2012

What they said, plus...

WOOL! I absolutely love my SmartWool shirts. And DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks. They're warm when you're moving, but not too hot when you stop.

I also love my Gore WindStopper fleece vest. It's thinner than a standard fleece, but totally blocks the wind. It gives me another option for airflow control if I need to loosen the neck of my rain jacket to shed heat.

And, if it gets really cold, heat packs in my gloves and shoes. ...On the back of my hands & top of my feet to warm the blood, not underneath where the bulk is a problem.

Hmmm... What else?? Oh yeah: Fresh brake pads!!!

Oh, and when the rain turns to ice: Studded snow tires. 700 grams -per tire- heavier than my standard tires, but after breaking a leg on ice, oh so worth it!!

Now... GO RIDE!!!

Mark Finney October 03, 2012

For riding in autumn drizzle, like yesterday, I'm generally content with my GoreTex jacket and my helmet cover, plus wool socks. As temps drop, I'll be adding other accessories (like winter shoes, full gloves and skull cap) but we're not there yet. I rely on my bike buckets to carry additional clothing and keep it dry. Like Ron, I think we can't have too many lights.

tom mcCain October 03, 2012

All of the above certainly. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the need for absolutely waterproof ways to carry your stuff. I like Ortlieb panniers. I carry dry clothes for work and often my laptop and don't need to worry about things getting wet.
I like the mention from Jon about cold wet feet. I would also add cold wet hands. In a light rain anything is OK. When things get really cold I switch to 'pogies', bar mits, lobster mits, they go by many names, but attach to your handlebars and give your hands a completely dry environment. They work for me so well that I can be bare handed into very low (close to single digit) temperatures and only need light gloves even in the coldest weather. I consider them essential for cold weather commuting.

John Calley October 02, 2012