Recumbent - Recument Rain Gear...

Hiya Kids...

With an early tropical low spinning off the coast of Florida for the last week, rain has been a daily gift after a long, very dry winter. However, it brings to mind the question of what kind of rain gear to be wearing? I don't usually ride in the rain, but have a week long tour coming up at the end of the summer (NC) and need to have some rain gear to ride every day in any kind of weather. The DF cycling rain gear is available, but costly, and the long tail on the coat is not a good thing, as I would be sitting on it while riding my Catrike.

So what do you folks wear for the wet weather? I have been looking at Frogg Toggs, but have not made any decision as to what to wear....

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL

Put on a rear fender.

Definitely quarter-circle fenders.
Waterproof fedora with chinstrap.
Lightweight poncho fashioned from a transparent garbage bag.
Dunno how well these would work on a trike, as I haven't ridden one.

This may be a little obvious, but how does a FENDER become RAIN GEAR? You guys floor me....

Have you ever seen a DF rider come in from the rain with a stripe down his back? Without a fender on it, your rear wheel will pick up water off the road and soak your head and back. A rain suit may protect your body from what the side wheels pick up, but does nothing for your head, back, and any gear you have on your rack.

What's the avg temp in NC at that time of year? In my experience anything above 50F rain gear will just make you sweat so you will still be wet. A water resistant vest either a cycling type or the ones that golfers wear is what I would take. For arms and legs just take some of those zip off arm and leg warmers, thin merino wool is best but tech fabrics are okay too. Thin wool socks are good too and their not too warm either.
Frogg Toggs might be okay but if you can find a version with underarm zips that would be best.
And yes, fenders are rain gear. You would be amazed how much water and other detritus comes up from the road. Even without a jacket or pants you will be much drier with just the fenders. However, in the summer I usually ride without fenders.

Warm and wet is going to be tough. Most cycling gear is for cold and wet. Since the water can pool in your lap, you need something that will also cover at least up above your waist a bit. If you use booties on your shoes, the ones that go up to the ankles and cover the ends of the pants should work better. I'd wear wool socks for warmth even if my feet got a bit wet. A jacket with a hood might keep the water from your back, but the hood pulled snug around your face might restrict your peripheral vision.


http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22363&subcategory_ID=1130

Check out Sierra Trading Post online. I bought some cheap Gore Tex on their close outs that works real well.

I would think twice about the Frogg Toggs. May work OK for fishermen and faired motorcycle users, but I've used them on my ATV, and they got wet through in short order. I think the jackets I've used would be a bit short for benting in the rain.

I've gravitated towards a high quality Goretex hiking rain jacket / shell. Was not cheap ($270 + back in '01), but has stood the test of time and activities, including a 9 hour motorcycle ride in the aftermath (heavy rain most of the way) of a hurricane.
It also has a long fit to cover my lap when sitting.

My shell has underarm venting for moisture control.
I'm still looking for the perfect pants for cycling, but may go with the Gore cycling rain pants, as they seem to pack well.

Another option I have found to work well is my Klim Goretex XCR-based snowmobile shell, which is designed for multi-sport use, including off-road riding (also a strenuous sport). Breathes well, has good venting, bombproof construction. I'm spending way more time snow-shoeing and cycling than sledding and motorcycling these days, and it has been another really good outerwear option.

Works well in northern New England most of the year, may be a bit warm for southern summers, and a little bulky if you are packing light.

Gore Bike Wear (http://www.gorebikewear.com/remote/Satellite/HomePage) seems to have most of the rain angle sorted for cyclists, including hoods, helmet covers and shoe covers. Not used any of them my self, I've been making do with some hiking related gear up to now.

I have an Arc Teryx goretex ski shell that I also use for hiking and biking. It has one of those "waterproof zippers, but I find that when riding my recumbent the water tends to pool and seep through. Therefore I either wear a thin wool t-shirt or a wool long-sleeve base layer, depending on the season.

I have a pair of cheap, bike specific, rain trousers. But as someone else mentioned, they are useless. They were good for a week, then water started creeping through. I have resprayed them with DWR, but it wore off quickly.

I've been trying to find decent rain trousers, but it's hard here in the US - my body shape is the opposite of what shops here cater to (I'm tall and thin, as opposed to <ahem> round and short). On a recent trip to Canada, I found that MEC have store-brand waterproof/breathable trousers with slim waist and extra long leg - but I didn't have time to try them on.... ah well, next time!