Touring - Trying a poncho this time instead of jacket.

Last tour, I had a couple of days of rain, and my breathable jacket just failed. It didn't breath once covered in water, and then the water just started creeping in, or the sweat started creeping out.
I decided then that I'd go with a Ponco. I got a really nice one:

http://www.freemanscycles.co.uk/product2.asp?product_id=250&pname=Duxback%20rain%20poncho

It's waxed cotton and black - just how I like it; old world style and not at all bright.

I have some rainlegs and some gaitor style shoe covers, both of which I wore last time and worked wonderfully.

I've ridden with a poncho once, a good long while back, and I remember being struck by how much more comfortable it was. The constant stream of air underneath it seemed to take away most of the sweat. The only trouble with that one was it only had thumb straps, so the back tended to billow in any wind. This new one has a waist strap as well, which keeps it secure. I'm really looking forward to trying it out, and so, bizarrely, I'm actually hoping for rain next tour.

I prefer a poncho over a jacket for the most part. I have a couple. I have a Carradice Duxback (like the one you linked to) and a lighter nylon one in bright yellow from a US supplier (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___50258). That one kind of makes you look like Big Bird from Sesame Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bird), but it is lightweight, packs small and works. The only time I have trouble with a poncho is if the winds are on the high side.

Aaron :)

Thanks for that. Do you find any other downside to the Duxback other that packing.
I have another poncho that is lightweight, but it also is yellow, and I prefer blending in than standing out.
I really like the retro feel to the Duxback, and I'm hoping the heavier material will be better for not blowing around. The hood also feels good. I was never a fan of hoods when cycling, but this seems cut well, so that it never obscures your view, and there's room for a hat with a brim under it to keep the rain out of my eyes.
Oh and the smell - I just love the smell. It reminds me of fly fishing, which I do too little of.

Make sure the Duxback dries out thoroughly before packing, otherwise you will be reminded of it when you wear it. I primarily use mine when I am riding one of my vintage Raleigh bikes, it stay strapped on the back of my Carradice bag. The bright yellow is kept in the bag on my commuter and I take it when touring.

Aaron :)

the down side of being like a sail in strong winds was spoken of..
Carradice shoulders do feel like they're up around my ears, on the bike and won't work with the handlebar setupon my Trekking bars, as they are a bit higher than my saddle and the Butterfly Bars are not drops or straight bars, ..

Make sure the Duxback dries out thoroughly before packing, otherwise you will be reminded of it when you wear it.


Aaron :)

I'm a bit confused by that (but I'm easily confused). Do you mean it's a bit like a tent - waterproof, but if it's wet when you pack it away, it's musty when you get it out the next year, or do you mean more of a day to day thing? Will I be okay on tour if I wear it, then pack it away with some water on for a couple of days, then wear it again?

I have another poncho that is lightweight, but it also is yellow, and I prefer blending in than standing out.


Always a good idea to blend in on a bicycle, especially in the rain, don't want to stand out & be seen do you.......:innocent:

Dux back is a Waxed cotton, mildew can go live in the cotton, wont ever come out..

Always a good idea to blend in on a bicycle, especially in the rain, don't want to stand out & be seen do you.......:innocent:

Darn, someone got to it before me. ;-)

I was looking to getting a poncho too, I kind of liked this idea but not sure if the back would be too short.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Blue-Rain-coat-Poncho-Adult-Bike-Bicycle-Rider-NEW-/390234691092?pt=AU_Cycling_Clothing&hash=item5adbccd614

I prefer a poncho over a jacket for the most part. I have a couple. I have a Carradice Duxback (like the one you linked to) and a lighter nylon one in bright yellow from a US supplier (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___50258). That one kind of makes you look like Big Bird from Sesame Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bird), but it is lightweight, packs small and works. The only time I have trouble with a poncho is if the winds are on the high side.

Aaron :)

I use the Campmor rain poncho. I usually carry it with me in the summer, since it is by far the most breathable solution. It breathes all too well though in high winds :(

Also nice because one poncho keeps you dry whereas with a rain jacket, you also need pants, gloves, helmet cover, etc.

Always a good idea to blend in on a bicycle, especially in the rain, don't want to stand out & be seen do you.......:innocent:

Don't tell anyone, but I don't wear a helmet either ;)

I've tried a poncho with little success staying the least bit dry. All that air moving underneath tends to make it fly up and over your head, particularly in the back.

My poncho was yellow. A guy I was riding with was a bit faster than me. He found a dry spot to wait for me and had a chance to watch me descend a mild grade and climb up the other side to where he was. He said I looked like a giant yellow trash bag rolling down the side of the road. I'm pretty sure I was visible, at least.

I've had better luck with a good rain jacket, but I'm resigned to getting wet from either sweat or rain and maybe both. The jacket is useful for a bit of warmth, but nothing keeps me dry in the rain.

Get a 30 gallon plastic garbage bag . . . cut 3 holes in it (for head, 2 arms) . . . instant poncho.
Cheap/packable/disposable.

I use my belt or bungee cord around my waist with my poncho. Keeps things nice and tight.

One area it failed for me was when it freezes. My long arm clothes were all wet and they froze during the night.

He said I looked like a giant yellow trash bag rolling down the side of the road. I'm pretty sure I was visible, at least.
.


LOL, oh man I just ordered a big yellow cycling poncho.. oh well I guess I will determine the result.

Something that is worth trying when using poncho's while riding are leggings or gaiters.

The problem with wearing poncho's, beside the flapping and "Big Bird" look, is that one's legs remain exposed to the wind and rain. Leggings reach to the top of the ankles/shoes top while gaiters have a strap that ensure they remain there. I've seen/made gaiters/leggings that extend to mid-thigh. Two methods of securing them there come to mind - simple elastic at thte top (okay, but I dislike the feel) and "suspendered" from a belt (again, okay, but now you have to fashion or wear a belt).

Get a 30 gallon plastic garbage bag . . . cut 3 holes in it (for head, 2 arms) . . . instant poncho.
Cheap/packable/disposable.

A couple of decades ago a tour from Sacramento to Spokane turned into a trip thru the Canadian Rockies and BC. I hadn't really packed for any weather so I ended up using a plastic trash bag I got on the Icefields Parkway as a poncho. It was the best raingear I ever had. My wife and I made up a silly song about Mr. Canada the plastic-trash-bag-man stoker that we would occasionally belt out when we got tired.

You talkin about those "Rain Legs" (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Rainlegs_Rainlegs_Leg_Protectors/5360021879) ? Yea I looked into those, you can get em on Wiggle but i was thinking about sewing my own, they are pretty simple.

I bought this (http://cgi.ebay.ca/BIKE-RAIN-PONCHO-Blue-Waterproof-Bicycle-Gear-Jacket-/400084620364?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d26e6d44c) poncho, it looks like my legs would be covered. Worth a try for the price anyways :)

Actually, the Rain Legs you linked to are for thighs, not lower legs. Look at the Jeans version and you'll see what I mean. Leggings/gaiters primarily cover the lower leg.

Another other thing to consider with leggings of any sort is that water will flow/wick upwards as the pants/legging material gets wetter at the bottom. This is how your crotch area wil end up wet despite theoretically being covered by the poncho. Cotton pants/jeans are particularly notorious for this.

My personal setup is poncho and leggings with waterproof booties. Can't stand wet feet, especially in wind/cold.

Last tour, I had to endure two days of rain. I used a gortex style jacket, rain legs and waterproof gaitor/boots. I found the jacket failed pretty early on, but my legs and feet (even though the back part of my legs were exposed, remained dry. With the poncho, I might not use the rain legs, as the top part of my legs should be covered by the poncho, but the gaitors will be needed to stop my shoes getting wet (though in theory this should be stopped by mudguards (fenders).
From what I can tell, the important thing with a poncho is that it has hoops for you r hands to keep it down at the front, and some way of keeping the back down. Mine has a long tie that goes round your waist. I've read about some which have loops for your legs. Even with wind, you should be able to keep the ponch down around you.

Yep. My poncho has a waist tie, wrist loops and then I sit on the poncho to keep it from billowing or riding up too much. Takes maybe 2 adjustments while riding.

I glued the elastic for the wrist loops in myself, they didn't come with the poncho. While I use them when riding, I don't use them at all when off-bike.

I don't think I would like leg ties - they would seem to defeat the purpose of max ventilation and movement. YMMV

My poncho has thumb loops and a waist loop. I usually just sit on the waist loop, thumb loops keep the poncho over the arms. FWIW most of my bikes have full length fenders and in a few cases have mud flaps that go almost to the roadway. I am also not against using spray skirts on my bikes if the weather is going to be bad for an extended period of time. I haven't used them in quite a few years, but have in the past. They ones I had were made out of nylon, hooked on the axle and wrapped around the fender and hooked on the axle on the other side. Quite effective on reducing spray from the front wheel. The idea for these was gleaned out of a book from the 1970's.

Aaron :)

Actually, the Rain Legs you linked to are for thighs, not lower legs. Look at the Jeans version and you'll see what I mean. Leggings/gaiters primarily cover the lower leg.

Another other thing to consider with leggings of any sort is that water will flow/wick upwards as the pants/legging material gets wetter at the bottom. This is how your crotch area wil end up wet despite theoretically being covered by the poncho. Cotton pants/jeans are particularly notorious for this.

My personal setup is poncho and leggings with waterproof booties. Can't stand wet feet, especially in wind/cold.


Hm honestly it never crossed my mind to use gaiters cycling. I used to use them snow-shoeing and they would ride up and get balls of snow down my ankles, lol. Probably not an issue biking, might be worth a try.

Hm honestly it never crossed my mind to use gaiters cycling. I used to use them snow-shoeing and they would ride up and get balls of snow down my ankles, lol. Probably not an issue biking, might be worth a try.

I'm a bit peculiar in that I don't use fenders on my bike. There's clearance, but not that much, and I hate having to adjust them after packing the bike and flying, so I take gaitors, which cover the shoes as well as the lower leg.

I used a Center For Appropriate Transport "rain cape" for three Northwest winters. I really loved it, especially for commuting. I am a super-heavy sweater, so the most expensive Gore-tex is more akin to a plastic bag than breathable space-age tech. The CAT cape is coated nylon, so it's light, durable, and packable. It probably weighed around a pound. I've never even seen a canvas rain cape, so I don't know how they would compare.

Since the CAT cape is designed specifically for cycling, it has some nice features: reinforced holes for your hands. This holds the cape over your legs, so you don't have to wear rain pants. I usually wore thick wool socks with a spare pare to change into at work. Lightweight rubber shoes (REI had some for sale last winter) and gaiters would work too. It also had a strap that clipped around your chest to keep it from billowing out behind you. After using it for a while, I sewed on a second one below the original for even better billow-control.

It kept me really dry in all but the worst downpours, which is perfect for the NW since it's usually drizzling rather than storming up here. And it is true -- if you get warm easily, you will very much appreciate the huge amount of airflow. Much more comfortable in that regard than any other rain gear I've used.

Touring, however, is another question. It creates H U G E wind resistance, so a long day wearing this thing was absolutely awful. On a tour of the coast I would stop and take it off the second the rain stopped so the riding would be easier -- and then stop again ten minutes later when the rain started again. All day, every day that it rained. It was worth it, because the wind resistance was just that horrible. At some point I gave up and let the front flap loose without my hands in the hand holes. This created another problem -- a big truck passed me, and its shock-wave blew the cape up and over the top of my head, blinding me for a terrifying few seconds. YIKES! And for all this trouble, I got pretty-near soaked anyways. I much envied my companions' simple rain-jackets (but they got soaked too).

So -- great for commuting (if you can stand being bar-none the nerdiest cyclist for miles around), terrible for touring.

Last winter, I took it off when the rain stopped on my way home from work and put it down and rode off without it. It didn't rain for another week so I didn't realize I'd lost it until it was long gone. Oh well. Now I use a mid-level Showers Pass jacket and I guess I like it better. It's easier to deal with, for sure.

http://www.catoregon.org/?page_id=536

Wow, that yellow and black one looks like something from Earth Wind and Fire's Boogie Wonderland. All you'd need is some sequin tights and an afro. Of course with an afro, you woudn't have to bother with a helmet, but I imagine the wind resistance would be a more of a hindrance than a poncho.
Talking of wind resistance, you should see the speed I travel when I'm touring. I'm so slow that blowing a gale, I doubt I'd feel it. But we'll see. I'm off on Monday to Bavaria, and though the forecast says sun to start, there's rain forecast for later in the week, and some thunder, so I'll report back on how well I and the ponch do.

reading these posts take me back to when I was a teenager, would have been the last time I used a rain poncho---I second the wind being a total pita. I wouldnt use one, not touring beside cars and trucks. I recall gusts of wind filling my poncho sail-like and moving me a bit, would NOT want that in a touring situation.

I understand the theory ofa pooncho being more breatheable, and Im sure they work well in non windy conditions better than rain jacket, rain pants, but for the safety side of things, and the "slow down effect" (think 1/4 mile dragsters or the Space Shuttle upon landing.....thanks but no thanks.

what can we say, no matter what we wear, being in the rain for a long time is a pain in the keester and puts me in a foul mood.

http://www.yehudamoon.com/images/strips/2008-02-02.gif

z

chuckle, now that is good timing with that comic!

I will probably buy a rain cape and use that for future rides. I didnt particularly like using a jacket either.

I'm considering using a poncho/rain cape for my rain gear and shelter, as in ultralight backpacking.

My concerns: I don't use fenders so I'm worried that I'll be drenched by the wheel spray flung up under the poncho. Also, the talk about wind resistance has me worried. I tour at a fairly high speed (~17mph) and with a fairly aggressive position (handlebars 4" below seat level) so I was hoping the poncho might act like a sort of fairing. This doesn't seem to be others' experiences. Thoughts?

I tried and have a rain cape made for cycling. I TRIED to like it and just couldn't get around the wind resistance issues it caused. I have since gone back to a light weight jacket and just use leg warmers or wind front tights if it's real cool. The only time I can ever see a cape being an advantige is for somone woh commutes short distances in regular cloths for a trip to the store or work.
For anything more than very short hops, give me a jacket!;)