Commuting - It's Raining, will I melt?

There is a steady drizzle falling right now in Vegas, and it looks like tomorrow morning might be the first commute ever in the rain. Usually I just wait an hour and the streets are dry, but this one might not work that way. Any tips for a drylander? C'mon seattle, I know your' dying to tell me to quit whining. :) `

Seattle here! :D Yes Rain (in between dodging Mt. St Helen's ash!)!

Here are a couple of quick rain ideas (since I'm guessing, you're bypassing the store that sells rain gear).

* A 40 Gallon Glad Leaf bag works well for a temporary solution
* Galoshes or Totes over the shoes (weird but so is the bag)...it works!
* Put your stuff in bags. 2Gallon Ziplocks work the best but smaller ones or a grocery bag is OK too
* A zip off hood from another jacket under the helmet -OR-
* A shower cap OVER the helmet
* Spare pair of dry socks.
* Cycle in your sandels

Also you may want to....
allow extra braking time. Take it easy on the turns and signal longer like a full 5 seconds before going into a turn.

Hope it goes well!

Apart from the advice above, the best way to deal with riding in the rain is to just do it. If you procrastinate you'll come up with all sorts of reasons why you can't/shouldn't ride today. The fact is, once you're out there in the rain (and it helps if it's really heavy rain that has you literally soaking within seconds), you'll realise that most of the things you feared are either non-existent, or not as bad as you thought they were.

Thanks! I really don't think I'll get soaked, but the traffic tips are what I was lookin for. As far as just doing it, I think the rain will be easier than 110 degrees with 200 degree exhaust blowing in my face.

Chris_L hit on a good point. Instead of being caught in a downpour with wet work clothes and papers, You *know* it's going to rain. You're in control well sort of! :)

You can also check the radar to guage the intensity of the rain at www.wunderground.com

I sure hope the Vegas rain does not make it to the coast by tomorrow..I want to commute back from work...
Chris..Is it possible, in your warm rains. the rains feel refreshing. Cold rains are like cold showers..Cold .That is what we get here when it rains..
I have plenty go good gear..But,that does not keep your feet from feeling uncomfortable...Sorry, do not want to discourage anyone...But, I don't find riding in the rain fun..Plus, I don't like the sensation of feeling less in control..Steering..but, I will do it..
A nice warm summer rain, which we do not get here,maybe I will feel differently..? Does anyone enjoy a chilly wet ride.
If so, give me your secrets, please..

There is a steady drizzle falling right now in Vegas, and it looks like tomorrow morning might be the first commute ever in the rain. Usually I just wait an hour and the streets are dry, but this one might not work that way. Any tips for a drylander? C'mon seattle, I know your' dying to tell me to quit whining. :) `


You won't have to worry about riding in the rain. I just ride fast enough to ride between the falling raindrops. :p

* A 40 Gallon Glad Leaf bag works well for a temporary solution
* Galoshes or Totes over the shoes (weird but so is the bag)...it works!
* Put your stuff in bags. 2Gallon Ziplocks work the best but smaller ones or a grocery bag is OK too
* A zip off hood from another jacket under the helmet -OR-
* A shower cap OVER the helmet
* Spare pair of dry socks.
* Cycle in your sandels


you might as well strap a basket of empty bottles and cans to your bars to complete the look. i like the showercap idea. it's sooo urban!

use blinkies while it is raining don't forget.

Be really careful at intersections. The first rain of the season brings up all the oil that's seeped into the asphalt and naturally most of it is where cars stop for the light.

I sure hope the Vegas rain does not make it to the coast by tomorrow..I want to commute back from work...
Chris..Is it possible, in your warm rains. the rains feel refreshing. Cold rains are like cold showers..Cold .That is what we get here when it rains..
I have plenty go good gear..But,that does not keep your feet from feeling uncomfortable...Sorry, do not want to discourage anyone...But, I don't find riding in the rain fun..Plus, I don't like the sensation of feeling less in control..Steering..but, I will do it..

I actually feel more in control in rain, or at least in heavy rain that washes crap off the road. Light drizzle just makes no difference at all. As far as cold rain goes, I've only ever seen that in Tasmania -- genuinely cold rain that is (it has to fall below 5 degrees C before I'll even consider the word "cold"). Cool rain is nice, but we don't get that anywhere near often enough for my liking. Cold showers, yep, I've already had a couple of those this summer.

As far as getting wet goes, well, it's just that. As I said before, once you're in the rain, totally saturated to the point where you can just let go of any concerns in this area, it becomes extremely liberating. Perhaps moreso than any other sensation any human being could possibly experience.

Fenders! Fenders! Fenders!

I find that plastic grocery bags over the shoes keeps them very dry. Just square knot them around your shins. I'm wearing sneakers in toeclips, but they're so thin, I'd be surprised if you clipless types couldn't clip in right through them. Might be good to make sure you can unclip before it's an emergency though.

A grocery bag over the seat too. Because there's nothing like riding a soaking wet seat on a dry morning after a rainstorm!

A visor or cap under your helmet angled right, will help stop some of the rain from constantly hitting your glasses.

Unfortunately, no rain this AM, but I can hope for the afternoon rain to come.

you might as well strap a basket of empty bottles and cans to your bars to complete the look. i like the showercap idea. it's sooo urban!

ha ha! Notice, I didn't tell him to wear rubber kitchen gloves! ;)

I've decided to just get wet and ride slow :D. It just doesn't rain enough to worry that much. I'll pack a towel in a trash bag, and change at work. I guess my winters are really great here in Sodom West. Cheers! :D

watch out- southern nevadans drive as well in the rain as californians drive in the snow!