Commuting - so I'm obviously doing something wrong

it was raining today when I woke up, so there was nothing I could do. meanwhile, this is the first REALLY cold (cold enough to see your breath, anyway) day I've ridden in the rain, and it kicked my ass. I've been to work for fifteen minutes at least, and my hands are still frozen, all my muscles are stiff, AND my balls hurt. whew. do I just need warmer clothes? rain gear? at this point, I'm open to any suggestions. it's only gonna get colder and colder.

Check out nashbar.com for rain gear. Theres plenty of variety. Also make sure you have fenders on your bike, and pannier bags for a change of clothes. Maybe add a sweater in the bag too. Don't forget gloves...

http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/58447.aspx

http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/86100.aspx

Wear some cheap running tights under your pants, they help insulate. I use a V-neck sweater with no sleeves that I got at K-mart cheap. I wear it over my jersey and under any other layers. Rain gets down the back of my neck with a regular jacket, so I'd suggest one of the cycling jackets with a hood. Try goggles to keep the rain from getting around the edge of your glasses.

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/brandnames-pyramex1-v2-goggles.html

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19438&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19350&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15776&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19481&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14085&subcategory_ID=2120

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21019&subcategory_ID=2120

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19310&subcategory_ID=1130

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14598&subcategory_ID=1130

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20856

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=4181&parent_category_rn=4501322


http://www.rei.com/product/10543580.htm?

You didnt mention

-did you get wet? Or just cold? or wet and cold?
-were you wet from raingear that doesnt breath and you sweated too much, or you have no raingear and got wet from the rain.
-what did you wear for a base layer?
-what did you wear for a mid layer?
-what did you wear for outter layer?
-what kind of gloves did you wear?
-what headwear did you wear?

Personally if its pouring rain and 35-55 degrees i wear
-polartech powerdry silkweight tight fitting base layer
-regular short sleeve jersey or long sleeve if its at the lower end of temp
-Breathable raingear with as much active venting as possible, such as pit zips, cuff vents, back vents, etc.
- for headwear i use a powerdry toque/hat and a raincover over my helmet
- gloves I use polartech powerstretch liners and regular short finger gloves.
- legs i use cycling shorts and windproof tights. (wind layer in front, spandex back)
- feet i use clipless sandals, wool socks, gortex oversocks, wind proof booties.

Then i use panniers that have a warm change of clothes wrapped in a waterproof bag.

Its hard to give any advice without knowing what you wear.
Riding in cold rain is not a problem if you dress for the weather. Some people have an attitude that you can only cycle in shorts and a thin jersey. In fact most sensible year round riders have a variety of clothes for different conditions. It need not be expensive stuff, just warm enough and weather resistant.

It was 50F and raining (hard rain for half of it) this morning for my 6.7 mile commute. I wore a jersey and arm warmers with a clear rain jacket over top, cycling shorts, knees warmers, MTB baggies, and neoprene gloves. I was plenty comfortable. Any colder and I'd want a helmet cover, booties, and better gloves.

I have a small spaceheater under my desk that works wonders after cold and wet rides. Also dries all of my wet gear (gloves, socks, etc..) that I hang under the desk.

prior to this, the only commuting I've done is in the warm, but I'm going to go straight through this winter...

anyway, I got soaked by the rain and by cars splashing up on me, and then just turned to an icecube from the cold and the wind. all I wear are pants, a shirt, fingerless gloves, a jacket, and a bandanna wrapped around my neck.

I guess it's all learn as you go.

In rain I wear a few essentials

1 - some neoprene full fingered gloves.
2- a cheap bright yellow, bombproof rain jacket. I wouldn't spend money on something fancy. Keeps wind out too.
3 - a helmet visor. Keeps rain out of my eyes and much of my face.
4 - neoprene booties, or plastic bags in a pinch.

This works well for me, as I overheat if I wear long pants or a warmth jacket while biking, unless it is well below freezing.

If it's really cold, raining or not, fleece is inexpensive, light weight, and keeps you warm.

I have several of these (http://www.sahalie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=3149&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C14&iProductID=3149) that I wear during the winter months, on and off the bike. I got the colors that are most visible because I sometimes wear them rather than a jersey.

When the temps get really cold, be sure to keep your head warm with a helmet cover, skull cap, or balaclava.

Water proof or even just windproof clothing makes a huge difference in keeping warm when the terperatures get cold. A cold rain can really remove some heat quickly. Keeping that rain from directly flowing over you body will make a world of difference.
Craig

it was raining today when I woke up, so there was nothing I could do. meanwhile, this is the first REALLY cold (cold enough to see your breath, anyway) day I've ridden in the rain, and it kicked my ass. I've been to work for fifteen minutes at least, and my hands are still frozen, all my muscles are stiff, AND my balls hurt. whew. do I just need warmer clothes? rain gear? at this point, I'm open to any suggestions. it's only gonna get colder and colder.
Check your attitude, are you really a bike commuter, not everyone is. Most commuters secretly love the challenge of man vs. elements, of suffering, adapting and completing a physical task in an automated world. The dynamic of heat loss and proper clothing and weight loss due to riding, is a guessing game. If your willing you can ride a bike anyplace, if your hesitating make sure you want to do this. It's not easy or everyone would do it. I personally welcome each challenge, and suck up each mistake.

Check your attitude, are you really a bike commuter, not everyone is.

Way to be supportive. Not everyone bike commutes for the pure insanity of it.

Matt, I'll be in the same boat shortly. This is my first winter as well and I am trying to decide do I take the wear-fleece/wool/neoprene/etc-and-get-wet-and-hope-I'm-warm-enough-anyway approach or do I take the wear-rain-gear-and-hope-I-don't-sweat-to-death approach. Thus far I haven't really gotten much in the way of winter gear. This week would have been the first test I think because it is cold and rainy today... except I just had some minor surgery and won't be able to ride again until a week from monday.

Personally, I had a gore-tex rain jacket and I got sweaty WALKING in it... so I don't have high hopes for "breathable" cycling rain gear.

I hate a challenge and do everything I can to stay comfortable.
Equipping your bike with fenders makes a huge difference. Rain is mostly clean but road splash is horribly dirty stuff and will ruin your clothes. It is much easier to dress for the wet if you only have to deal with clean, downward falling rain.
Windproof materials are a good starting point for an outer layer. Some can handle showers very well. I like Pertex material, it is fairly showerproof, totally windproof, highly breathable, dries quickly and is cheap and durable.
In very cold rain, pertex overtrousers can keep you warm. Wear them over shorts or over tights depending how cold you run.
Bike jerseys are not always the best clothing for cold weather. I prefer a generic hiking long-sleeved jersey. It has to be quite cold before you need a fleece. Thin bodywarmer type tops are useful for fine tuning your insulation.
I hardly ever wear a hat. I have a neck tube which is really useful for sealing out cold winds and I can raise it over my ears in the cold. A cheap helmet without the expensive thin air features (vents) is more practical in winter.
Feet and hands need some attention. You could wear waterproof light hiking boots with woolen socks, or some racing style neoprene overboot.

It's tough to give you advice without knowing more--- like how far do you ride?

I wear more clothes for shorter rides-- A bundle up with I only got a short hop (under 5 miles). Ride slow so you don't over heat.

For longer (and sweatier) rides it's tought to get the right amount of protection without getting so bundled up you sweat to death. I wear rain pants and a wool sweater often. Yeah, the sweater gets wet, but wool is still warm when wet! I wouldn't spend any big bucks on gear-- I've rode in all kinds of gear and the amount of money I've paid for it doesn't really have much to do with how well it worked.

And honestly, you'll toughen up if you keep riding. It gets easier over time.

prior to this, the only commuting I've done is in the warm, but I'm going to go straight through this winter...

anyway, I got soaked by the rain and by cars splashing up on me, and then just turned to an icecube from the cold and the wind. all I wear are pants, a shirt, fingerless gloves, a jacket, and a bandanna wrapped around my neck.

I guess it's all learn as you go.

Get some rain pants, they are pretty cheap at Nashbar. Also full-fingered gloves and, if you don't have them already, fenders. If you are not warm enough in just a shirt and jacket, add another layer. Wear warm smartwool socks or cover your shoes with booties or toe warmers. A good skull cap or even a bacalava will keep your noggin warm, as well as a rain cover for your helmet. You know what the weather can do in your area, make sure you pack what you 'might' need on the bike, so if the weather changes, you are prepared.

I have a small spaceheater under my desk that works wonders after cold and wet rides. Also dries all of my wet gear (gloves, socks, etc..) that I hang under the desk.

Computers under the desk warm you up too :) I have two under there and still enough room for a good leg area, one 'puter on each side. ( I have two networks to hook to and I don't want any potential [hackable] routing crossovers through Billy's [ Microsoft's ] O/S underbelly. It was the laziest and cheapest way to hook up but it turns out it works out great for warming me up.)

My plan for rainy day commuting is this (and mind you, my commute can be as short as about a mile and a half to the train station and another couple miles at the other end from the station to my work):

If it's not forecast to be windy, I will wear:

J&G Cyclewear helmet cover
Carradice rain cape
J&G waterproof/breathable rain pants
Vasque Goretex hiking boots
Sealskinz gloves

If it's forecast to be blowing, I will trade the rain cape for my J&G waterproof / breathable rain jacket.

If it's cold in addition, I'll add the Seirus Combo Clava I bought today.

I also have Sealskinz socks. I'm going to try the hiking boots without them first. If my feet get wet, I'll add the socks.

Now if it would just start raining so I could try this stuff out!

I got some raingear from here. It's good stuff for a reasonable price

www.bicycleclothing.com

Yep... www.bicycleclothing.com is J&G Cyclewear's website. I agree, top quality stuff, hand made in Oregon by people who understand riding bicycles in the rain.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/58447.aspx

http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/86100.aspx

Wear some cheap running tights under your pants, they help insulate. I use a V-neck sweater with no sleeves that I got at K-mart cheap. I wear it over my jersey and under any other layers. Rain gets down the back of my neck with a regular jacket, so I'd suggest one of the cycling jackets with a hood. Try goggles to keep the rain from getting around the edge of your glasses.

http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/brandnames-pyramex1-v2-goggles.html

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19438&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19350&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15776&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19481&subcategory_ID=1121

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14085&subcategory_ID=2120

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21019&subcategory_ID=2120

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19310&subcategory_ID=1130

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=14598&subcategory_ID=1130

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=20856

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=4181&parent_category_rn=4501322


http://www.rei.com/product/10543580.htm?

Thanks for the direct links to these winter accessories. This type of post can refered to for additional posts as it gets colder.

My plan for rainy day commuting is this (and mind you, my commute can be as short as about a mile and a half to the train station and another couple miles at the other end from the station to my work):

If it's not forecast to be windy, I will wear:

J&G Cyclewear helmet cover
Carradice rain cape
J&G waterproof/breathable rain pants
Vasque Goretex hiking boots
Sealskinz gloves

If it's forecast to be blowing, I will trade the rain cape for my J&G waterproof / breathable rain jacket.

If it's cold in addition, I'll add the Seirus Combo Clava I bought today.

I also have Sealskinz socks. I'm going to try the hiking boots without them first. If my feet get wet, I'll add the socks.

Now if it would just start raining so I could try this stuff out!

Michael, if you use the Smartwool socks, then your feet should stay nice and toasty. When I went to get them at REI, I noticed the REI brand of merino wool socks was about half the price of the Smartwools. Those Vasque boots with the Goretex bootie should be fine. I'd make sure the pants were pulled down over the top and banded there. That should keep the water out.

All my socks are Smartwool. Well, except for the one pair of Sealskinz socks I bought today.