I have been admiring this forum for a while but rarely commenting. A year ago at this time I was a car freak, today I sit and haven't driven in 6 days. I have this plan to ditch my VW when I graduate and go car free but I think I need to do it now.
The reason behind keeping the car was that school is 30 miles one way and there is no way to get there by bus in under 3 hours, arriving an hour before class, leaving 2 hours after class, and spending $6 a day... Now the local transit has upped their game and I saw a bus dropping folks off a mile away from school, I will call on Monday and see what they can do for me.
I just got a job at a bike shop 6 miles away and have been a fair weather commuter at my other job for about a year (I skipped the MN winter.)
Thursday - I biked to work. (where I picked up a lock for my weekend plans)
Friday - I rode to the store to buy a Mom's day gift, then to the video store, then to Chipotle and home. When I got home I unpacked/repacked my Chrome bag and changed clothes (into the "biker gear") to ride to my girlfriends house 13 miles away in what I like to call "the middle of butt**** nowhere" (I spent the night there)
Saturday - I knew it was going to rain so I had my rain coat (which I had never ever ever used). I WAITED for it to rain, then headed out on my trek home. That ride by bike was amazing. The air so fresh and not too warm. When I got home my bike was filthy so I rode to work to pick up what I needed to break it down and clean it bit for bit.
This was a great weekend. The first time I ever rode in the rain was not as bad as I expected.
Running errands by bike felt great.
I noticed things I never had before.
Now my only remaining obstacle is to see how I can get to school twice a week. If I can do so reasonably I am seriously considering selling my previous pride and joy... (but total money pit) Now is a great time to sell a Volkswagen golf since it gets me 30 mpg regularly...
MY QUESTION: What do you guys suggest for rain gear? The disposable yellow thingy in a bag really left something to be desired on my ride home. If this is for real I want something comfortable so I don't ever have an excuse to not ride the short distances.
(Everything I need except for my girlfriend and school is withing 10 miles so car-free is perfectly reasonable. Also, I live with my parents (college student) so if something drastic came up I could steal one of their rides...)
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
Rain is a tough one. I have to to find a complete solution. Fenders is a start, a good light plastic-type rain suit is a must!
I have one with a hoodie, and it drapes down over my knees when I ride. My feet still get wet, and so do my legs and arms. It is more like a big poncho. Still does not keep my fully dry but it is better than nothing. I always seem to explode into a ball of sweat when I wear it. It's not perfect but it works for me. I always keep spare shoes and socks at work. =)
Artkansas
With warm rain, I just pack an extra set of clothes in a plastic bag and leave a set of shoes at work. Cold rain is harder. I have a full rain suit, Coat and overalls and wear as much as I feel like, and take an extra set of clothes in a plastic bag.
elfich
I live in upstate NY (Upstate = Albany).
Rain/snow gear: I use a set of rain pants from EMS (Thunderhead or what ever the name is). You MUST cinch the cuffs down because they are loose fit for boots. I use velcro reflective straps. Add a layer of bike tights (thick or thin) in cold weather. The pants are rain and wind resistant, both of which are needed.
For my upper body I use a two layer shell with fleece. The out layer is rain and wind repellent. The fleece provides insulation on days that it is needed. EMS has a couple of different out shells available. Pick the one that appeals to you.
Gloves: Rain and wind resistant. Fingerless is not useful in cold rain or weather below 55F.
I have not tried the rain booties but my gfirlfriend swears by them now for her daily commute.
Pick things that wrap up tightly and easily so you can pack it in the morning if there is the chance of needing it in the afternoon (and vice versa).
bragi
I have a little experience with rain, and all I can tell you is that no solution is perfect. The problem with rain gear is that if you ride hard and long, it will turn into a sauna suit. I just have lightweight waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket, polypro cap (fits under the helmet), and neoprene gloves, all of which I carry in my panniers at all times. (Actually, 8 months a year I'm usually wearing it.) If it's really cold, I can wear layers underneath the rain gear, and add or remove layers as needed. I wear waterproof walking shoes at all times (I prefer platform pedals for riding around town). Some people like stuff made with Gore-Tex. Fenders and waterproof bags are a great idea, too. When it's raining, I ride slower, not because it's safer, but because I don't want to sweat too much.
becnal
Sell your car, and with the proceeds, buy a Showers Pass Elite rain jacket, and a 100cc scooter to get to school and work.
BarracksSi
You're going to graduate in a year, right? Where are you going to live after that? Will you still be able to go car-free wherever you end up?
cerewa
Lots of people shared their experience with waterproof-and-breatheable fabrics on this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=414032
2slo2run
You're going to graduate in a year, right? Where are you going to live after that? Will you still be able to go car-free wherever you end up?
THAT is another concern I guess I did not think of at the time of posting. I know wherever I move to I want to be close to everything. I want to live in or near a city where biking can be done year round. I love Seattle, and pretty much every place on the west coast. I considered moving farther south but have not settled on any region.
If I get a decent job locally I may stay for a while, hopefully living/working in or around on of the major cities. Minneapolis is supposed to be one of the top bicycle friendly cities in the country and I know there is plenty of infrstructure.
I guess I will have to look into this a bit more before I unload the car.
Perhaps I will just pay it off and put it in storage with minimal storage insurance on it for the time being...
gerv
MY QUESTION: What do you guys suggest for rain gear? The disposable yellow thingy in a bag really left something to be desired on my ride home. If this is for real I want something comfortable so I don't ever have an excuse to not ride the short distances.
Last year I bought a rain cape from Campmor for $29. I (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___50258)
I don't particularly like its behaviour in the wind, but it is great for sweat control and pretty easy to get in and out of. This is a great feature for my ride to work that starts out sunny and then turns into a torrent.
Another downside is that I have to remove my helmet to put the hood up.
One very big advantage though is that I can now ride a lot more confidently on cloudy, dull days (you'd be surprised how often a downpour is predicted and I never have to pull the thing out of my pannier....)than when I was carrying a gadget like you describe.
thebarerider
6 days isn't very long. If you've only commuted in fair weather, I would say keep the car for a while. Fools rush in :)
Bikepacker67
Rain isn't that bad once you accept that you're not going to stay dry.
Not sure if it was mentioned, but you need fenders.
Also make sure you have some clear glasses (I just use a pair of cheap yet cool looking safety glasses:) )
As for clothing, layer according to temp, and use nylon shell. Like I said, you aren't going to stay dry.
If you go the hi-tech gortex route, you'll just sweat yourself wet. Frankly, I like the 'rain' wet better.
Once you warm up, it's actually nice.
BarracksSi
THAT is another concern I guess I did not think of at the time of posting. I know wherever I move to I want to be close to everything. I want to live in or near a city where biking can be done year round. I love Seattle, and pretty much every place on the west coast. I considered moving farther south but have not settled on any region.
If I get a decent job locally I may stay for a while, hopefully living/working in or around on of the major cities. Minneapolis is supposed to be one of the top bicycle friendly cities in the country and I know there is plenty of infrstructure.
I guess I will have to look into this a bit more before I unload the car.
Perhaps I will just pay it off and put it in storage with minimal storage insurance on it for the time being...
I'm really not trying to rain on your parade (pun not intended! ;) ), but this is going to be one of the big transitional times in your life. And, of course, you don't know if you're going to get screwed out of bike commuting and be stuck with having to use a car (or even marry someone who needs it).
In the meantime, though, this is a great opportunity to experiment without fear of failure. Come to think of it, that's what college really is..
Roody
I go with the minimalist school. In cold rain I use rain gear. In warmer weather I wear as little clothing as possible and just get wet. I don't care how breathable they say it is, I have never found rain gear that I can wear at temps greater than 60F.
I'm lucky in that there's a washer and dryer I can use at work. Yesterday I rode to work in a downpour at about 55F. I got pretty cold in shorts and a light pullover, but I warmed up quickly when I changed into my dry work clothes. I washed my riding clothes and had a dry outfit to wear home. If I didn't have the washer ane dryer, I would have air dried them as well as possible and I would have had a slightly uncomfortable ride home. But oh well...for every crappy ride there's 50 beautiful rides.
Now come back in the fall an we'll get you up to speed on the joys of winter riding. :)