Northern California - WCC - maybe not fair weather riding

I admit it - I generally have avoided weather that is not dry. But there is an 80% chance of showers and the high temperature is projected to be 63 degrees on Saturday. What kind of clothes are people going to be wearing to tackle this? Will you still do the full distance you were planning to do? Are there any other special preparations?

Yeah, noticed that. Although I guess it'll be a day or two before we can get a better read on it.

For me, I'm signed up for 100miles, and am leaning towards doing the 200km. From what I can see we're talking scattered showers rather than heavy rain. In that case, I'm just bringing my wind jacket that is water proof, everything else will be pretty much as normal.

Occidental is known for lots of rainfall, so if we get through there we'll be ok. I think I'll play it by ear and if it looks scary in the morning I'm wearing a rain slicker.

I don't even have a rain slicker

I don't even have a rain slicker

I think it's: "I don't even have a rain slicker....THIS IS SPARTA!"

I don't even have a rain slicker

I'll bring an extra!:thumb:

Are there any other special preparations?

Wet roads mean more flats... bring a spare spare.

Wet shorts mean more friction... butter up.

I'm bringing tights, jersey, arm warmers, and rain jacket. Might use latex gloves under the winter gloves too.

That's a good list DS. Also, OP, watch out for the lines on the road/manhole covers etc which become way more slippery when wet.

Does anyone go for shoe covers here - any recommendations?

I'm wearing short shorts and a tube top.

HTFU.

If it's steady rain I will have shoe covers. For occasional light showers I won't bother putting them on. I will wear cold weather socks though.
I will bring my complete wardrobe and surely will spend hours agonizing on what to wear at start time. As usual if I don't bring warm stuff it will be cold and if I take it with me it will end up stuffed in the jersey rear pockets bothering me all day.

Wool socks - they'll keep your feet warm even after they get wet. I have toe covers, too, but almost never use them. Long finger gloves are important. I don't like the various windbreakers and rainjackets I've tried - they don't breathe and I end up overheated and just as wet as I would have from the rain. I'll wear a baselayer, jersey, arm and knee warmers and a vest (oh, and shorts!). I've worn variations on this down into the 30's, down into the 40's in the rain, and it's enough for me.

Just as important, I'll have glasses with either clear or yellow-tinted lenses for eye protection, and a cycling cap under the helmet (the brim reduces the water dripping down your face).

JB

I guess it's also fender time!

I know I'll drop back to the 60 mile ride if there's much rain. I'm tempted to bring my commuter bike with fenders. Don't know.
I have full-tilt rain gear, but I hope to avoid wearing the rain pants.

I'll bring leg warmers, arm warmers, base layer, jersey, toe covers, rain jacket, regular jacket, race blades fenders, heavy gloves and light gloves.
I'm pretty sure my car would not mind the extra weight.

Ski Parker-check
Ski mask with goggles-check
Hip boots-check
Speedo-check
Duct tape-check
Rope-check
Shovel-check
Oops...wrong forum!

Oh Ron...don't forget the "Blowup doll"...wink wink

I'm leaving tomorrow for a tour of the north coast. of course they are calling for rain through wednesday/thursday of next week. It will be a wet ride for sure. I take a rain jacket and rain pants, and goretex gloves. Not sure about the feet. I was thinking of a thin woold cycling sock under a thicker wool hiking sock, and ring out as needed. The only problem is the rain that drip off my rain pants directly into my shoes. Some gaitors might solve that issue, but I imagine that I will overheat all covered up like that.

Any suggestion on keeping the feet toasty and dry (as possible)? I ride in trail running shoes that are not waterproof.

... Might use latex gloves under the winter gloves too.

Does this help with the cold air? Or is it mainly for when it wet and raining? I was thinking about this plus long finger gloves on cold days. I guess I should just try it and see for myself.

Does this help with the cold air? Or is it mainly for when it wet and raining? I was thinking about this plus long finger gloves on cold days. I guess I should just try it and see for myself.

Just the wet, although there are some liners for cold weather that go under your gloves - sort of like a base layer for your fingers. They work pretty well but you have to have some extra room or the insulating layer of the gloves is compromised.

The most important thing is to keep your feet dry as wet socks and numb toes will prevail over everything else in the misery department. Wool socks still get wet with full shoe covers, as I found out the Tunitas Creek day of the TOC. I should have brought plastic bags to wrap the socks with that day.

I've already decided NOT to wear my new extra comfy Sidi's. I'm going to bring the full on rain kit and haul it about if i don't need it. Booties, jacket, rain pants, rain gloves, helmet cover.

I'm not nuts about riding my Kestrel in the rain all day. It's too pretty to get that dirty... But then, I'm not crazy to ride the commuter that far either.

I need ANOTHER bike just for occasions like this!

...I need ANOTHER bike just for occasions like this!

Thats why my commuter is a Schwinn Fastback. I don't care if it gets wet and dirty. Yet its light enough for rides like this.

Although a nice CX bike is very tempting.

Carbon doesn't rust or melt.

And the Sidi's aren't made of leather, they are all synthetic material that I wash directly under the tap. They still look great after four years.

A good cleanup will be necessary on Sunday though!

My plan is to go 10 miles, get soaked, call my wife to pick me up, go back to the hotel room, take a shower and a nice long nap, and then go home.

Some would say that I'm a wuss; I would say that I'm pragmatic.

My plan is to go 10 miles, get soaked, call my wife to pick me up, go back to the hotel room, take a shower and a nice long nap, and then go home.

Some would say that I'm a wuss; I would say that I'm pragmatic.

Great idea, I'll do that too! Oh.. Wait... She's riding with me. Doh!

Carbon doesn't rust or melt.It just explodes!

:P

In light of the current forecast, it looks like I'll be strapping on a pair of fenders, and toting along a wind/rain breaker and a hat. Maybe a plastic bag for my saddle. :rolleyes:

Great idea, I'll do that too! Oh.. Wait... She's riding with me. Doh!You're payin' good money for SAG support. :innocent:

Sticking a plastic bag in your shoe does wonders. You'd be surprised how warm it will keep you.

Sticking a plastic bag in your shoe does wonders. You'd be surprised how warm it will keep you.

Do you not sweat like crazy with a plastic bag in your shoe?

I caved and bought the $15 rain slicker and helmet cover to keep my head dry. I have some new shoe covers to try out already.

I have warm, long-finger gloves, and am thinking of tossing some latex over those to waterproof them. Anyone ever tried that? I'm not sure what to do, my fingers always get cold, but I feel like they get wet from the sweat inside as much as from the rain outside.

I keep checking WeatherUnderground. This Thursday morning, rain prediction: 80%, at 4pm Thurs, down to 50%.

Wow, 85% chance of rain overnight Friday dropping to 47% from 8am Saturday to evening and not going to get over 61°F all day.

WeatherForecast (http://weather.contracostatimes.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=95401&hourly=1&yday=121&weekday=Saturday&brand=contracostatimes)

I think I need to prep the rain bike and wash my tights, I'm rethinking arm warmers for long sleeves too.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hSZo5vjiPmQ/RiHjjBbfkoI/AAAAAAAAAJs/v7lnclsvTtU/s800/2007-04-14-3.JPG

Do you not sweat like crazy with a plastic bag in your shoe?

Here is the way I do it:

1) Put your cycling shoes on
2) Put your foot in the plastic bag
3) Cut a small hole in the bag where your cleat is
4) Put on your "water proof" shoe cover over the plastic bag/foot

If you have some kind of water resistant pants or leg warmer you can put the top of the bag into them. So basically you kinda form a water proof barrier between the shoe cover and your shoe. Your shoe cover will get all soggy and stuff but your foot should stay dry however you will sweat but not as bad as if you had put the bag in your shoe. Also the key is to make the hole just big enough to fit your cleat through.

However for a century I don't know what the durability of the plastic bag will be. The bottom may get shredded from all of the clipping, unclipping and walking around.

This presents a real dilemma. I was planning to wheel suck for 100 miles, but if I'm going to be getting sprayed for 100 miles that might not be an optimum plan. Hmmmm

Here is the way I do it:

1) Put your cycling shoes on
2) Put your foot in the plastic bag
3) Cut a small hole in the bag where your cleat is
4) Put on your "water proof" shoe cover over the plastic bag/foot

If you have some kind of water resistant pants or leg warmer you can put the top of the bag into them. So basically you kinda form a water proof barrier between the shoe cover and your shoe. Your shoe cover will get all soggy and stuff but your foot should stay dry however you will sweat but not as bad as if you had put the bag in your shoe. Also the key is to make the hole just big enough to fit your cleat through.

However for a century I don't know what the durability of the plastic bag will be. The bottom may get shredded from all of the clipping, unclipping and walking around.


I just shove some plastic bag under my toe cover. That is where all the water seems to get in.

I'm watching the weather closely too (Riding Tour de Cure on Sat. with Redspoke). My weather guy is calling the most of the heavy rain coming through Friday afternoon and tapering off overnight. Saturday should have a break in the morning/afternoon before more rain comes. I saw the doppler radar and there is hope. :crossing fingers:

From weatherunderground for Santa Rosa, Ca:

Friday Night
Rain. Lows around 50. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
cloudy

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers. Highs around 60. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

Accuweather suggests that for Santa Rosa, 68F, 0.02inches of rain on Saturday (1hr's worth), but Friday will see 0.79inches of rain for 11hrs. Hopefully that means most of it'll be coming down tomorrow.

The most important thing is to keep your feet dry as wet socks and numb toes will prevail over everything else in the misery department. Wool socks still get wet with full shoe covers, as I found out the Tunitas Creek day of the TOC. I should have brought plastic bags to wrap the socks with that day.

Hey Ramon - so you're putting plastic bags over socks inside your shoes - i.e. wearing a plastic bag on your foot in the shoe. If I got that right, doesn't the rain run down your leg between the bag and your sock?

Accuweather suggests that for Santa Rosa, 68F, 0.02inches of rain on Saturday (1hr's worth), but Friday will see 0.79inches of rain for 11hrs. Hopefully that means most of it'll be coming down tomorrow.

This just guarantees that no matter what I do, I'll end up with full jersey pockets flopping around all day.

This presents a real dilemma. I was planning to wheel suck for 100 miles, but if I'm going to be getting sprayed for 100 miles that might not be an optimum plan. Hmmmm

Just never open your mouth. Never.

I just shove some plastic bag under my toe cover. That is where all the water seems to get in.

I think it depends on how much rain, standing water and wind there is. I can tell you for some weather I have ridden in, a bag over the toe cover isn't enough.

Still looks like rain all day today and tonight, and chance of showers all day tomorrow. That's it, it's a fenders 'n' backpack ride.

My new favorite weather forecast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REGhWUcJLEE).

My new favorite weather forecast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REGhWUcJLEE).

Excellent!!

My new favorite weather forecast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REGhWUcJLEE).

"Cumulonimbus - that's latin for don't wear suede" :thumb:

I forecast an isolated purchase of Race blades for Friday afternoon, followed by intermittant periods of bicycle fiddling but with an improved outlook for Saturday.

http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/ADVGN/570N%7EWicked-Witch-Melting-Wizard-of-Oz-Posters.jpg
(insert overused quote here and htfu) :p

Hey Ramon - so you're putting plastic bags over socks inside your shoes - i.e. wearing a plastic bag on your foot in the shoe. If I got that right, doesn't the rain run down your leg between the bag and your sock?

Hey Richard. I actually do this sometimes on cold days. It works really well in cold weather and keeps your toes nice and toasty, but can get hot and sweaty if it warms up. Cutting the top off of freezer bags will do the trick.

I've never tried it in rainy weather, but I might if it's raining on Sunday for the GPC Century.

Friday: Still only at 50% chance!

So there is a 50% chance that it'll stay dry tomorrow. :D