Libre

I've been bike commuting (3 days a week or so) since I started this job in April '08. It's 18-20 miles round trip. I'm enjoying it so much, I'm thinking about how I might do this, every day, rain or shine, winter or summer, or in between. It's summer now, so it's a breeze. But if the forecast calls for afternoon thunerstorms, I'll usually drive that day. Once the weather turns cool, and then cold, that will pose even greater weather issues. I live in the Northeast, so the winters can be tough.

So, you die-hard bike commuters: are you discouraged by bad forecasts? Do you ride all year? What clothing do you wear? Do you pack a rain suit or something, if the forcast calls for afternoon rain? Do you start out in the morning, if it's raining? Do you bike in the cold? Or, do you just hang up the wheels for half a year.

recumelectric

Some people take a break on nasty days. I know I have.

When I had no car (by choice), I watched the weather channel and dressed appropriately. I've got a raincoat for rain and a rainproof parka from Land's End for really cold stuff. Usually, I would end up throwing them into my basket during the ride home, since I would get warmed up after a mile or so.

However, I do live in a much warmer and less rainy climate than you. On the other hand, you're probably more acclimated to the climate you are in, so you could withstand more than I could.

scoatw

I use a Showers Pass Century Jacket (no longer sold), and Rainshield O2 rainpants, which are great in any weather. I ride year round. In winter I wear the Showers Pass with a SportHill jacket underneath with Sporthill XC 3SP pants, which are excellent down to about 20d. Ask around, shop around, and look for good deals. Look at XC ski clothing for winter. Look at the Polarfleece at Cabelas. LLBean, Sierra Trading Post, REI. I stay away from cycle specific clothing, usually, because the other stuff is better and cheaper. For riding on ice, one word, Nokian.

modernjess

You can do it, for sure. Dealing with and cheating the weather becomes part of the fun and adventure. Keeps you from getting bored I think.

The weather forecasts are really a crap shoot. I use a few websites and broadcasts that I'll watch to get the general trend, but specifics can never be forecasted accurately. What I've found is my windows of time for commuting are 2 relatively short spans in the grand scheme of the day, and more often than not you miss the rain or whatever nastiness they forecast.

With that said being prepared with a good rain jacket and maybe pants is key for cool/cold weather. Fenders too. I wear the rain jacket and pants as a shell through the winter with different layering underneath depending on the temps. Get some rain gear and keep riding, with the info and advice you'll find on this forum and your trying it, you'll figure it out. It's not hard, it's fun.