Caught in first rain fall

[rkerider]

As I was preparing to leave work last night at 10PM a light rain fall started coming down, but I was prepared with water proof pannier, fenders, etc. I grabbed my poncho from the pannier and put it on and started my 11 miles home.

Well, I would have been better off putting a parachute on my back... I'm still getting soaked and the poncho was flapping in the wind as I ride into a headwind. The poncho was around my knees in length but as I started pedaling it would blow back against my stomach. I'm sure I was a sight to see by passing cars.

What are some alternative solutions to riding in the rain that would be better than a poncho? Maybe the poncho was to thin causing it to grab more air. My night glasses are clear and I thought about rubbing some rainx on them so I wouldn't have to stop as often to clean off rain drops.

[Northwestrider]

I've tired the rainex on my glasses, sorry, it didn't work for me. Not enough speed I guess.

[wphamilton]

I used some of that sticky-back velcro from Home Depot. Cinch the poncho up under the arms and at the waste so it doesn't flap or balloon up.

[MikeyBoyAz]

rain jackets designed for cycling obviously, but aside from that any jacket that has a draw cord around the waist will be better, and wp pants are a plus... and a helmet cover reduces the river that flows through the vents on the helmet...



or there is this

[warmachine]

Trash bags, shopping bag, and tape.
They are light weight, take up little space and will keep you mostly dry.

Rip a couple holes in the bottom of one bag to stick your legs through,
rip some holes in the bottom of the second bag for your arms and head,
tape up the seams, stick each foot into a shopping bag, tie up the top,
and tuck it into your socks.

It works well, but looks funny if appearance is important to you.

[xtrajack]

I would be willing to bet that the OP was using a regular poncho (which I believe from his description of the issues he had) instead of a bike specific rain cape.
With the bike specific rain cape he wouldn't have had the flapping issues he described. He still would have had wind issues, just not so much flapping.

My go to rain gear choices is my J & G rain jacket and my RainMates, for all but torrential downpours, then I swap out the RainMates for full coverage rain pants and my rain cape over the J & G jacket. But it has to be a real heavy rain for me to go to that level.

[Commodus]

....
What are some alternative solutions to riding in the rain that would be better than a poncho? ...

lol?

Buy a rain jacket. There's no shortage of options.

[gerv]

What type of poncho? I use a Campmor poncho. You tie it around your waist so it doesn't flap too much and it reaches just above the knees when standing. I think it does a good job even in some nasty wind.

[Leisesturm]

J&G Jacket and Pants (the cheap non-Goretex) though I am thinking about their rain cape or the Campmor cape for next Fall (it doesn't rain in summer here ).I wear Solar Shields over my glasses on sunny days and even rainy ones with less overcast. They do a pretty good job even in heavy rain. No RainX needed. For rain and heavy overcast or dusk I got clear safety goggles from home Depot. They fog after ~20min. I just got some RainX anti-fog. You use this on the inside of the goggles. Works ok but its really too soon to tell. I use nothing on the outside of the goggles. Glasses in the rain is pretty miserable you need goggles of some kind. Even if the RainX worked it would do nothing to keep the water out of your eyes.

H

[ace587]

same here, except i had no fenders . South FL weather is just unpredictable.

[rumrunn6]

cycling specific rain gear. there's no bad weather, only bad clothing

[1nterceptor]

What are some alternative solutions to riding in the rain that would be better than a poncho?

I use a waterproof jacket(no liner-Illuminite), waterproof pants (no liner-Mermot/Precip).
If it's below 60F I wear winter boots and winter gloves. Over 60F, I just let my mountainbike
shoes get soaked and just started wearing dishwashing gloves.

[Mr IGH]

I only ride to work if it's not raining. If it's raining when I ride home, I have a garbage bag for my backpack and I get wet. I do have fenders, big help, esp for being able to see.

[making]

I have tried raingear and fenders. I think I am the only one on here that doesnt like either when it is warm. The raingear makes me sweat more and it doesnt evaporate, so I am soaked with sweat instead of rain. Fenders just cause a big drop of water to build up right in front of it while I am riding, then, every once in a while, it blows up and smacks me in the face. The only time rain really bothers me is those really really cold big drops that usually accompany a thunderstorm so stopping is probably a good idea anyway. I just wish I could find something to do to make my glasses so I could see in the rain.

[enigmaT120]

I think the title of your post made us in the Pacific Northwest just cry.

[no motor?]

A lot of us skip the raingrear unless it's cold enough to keep from sweating underneath it, and then use one of several rainjackets based on preference. You'll know you've got it right when you find out you like riding in the rain.

[formicaman]

I would be willing to bet that the OP was using a regular poncho (which I believe from his description of the issues he had) instead of a bike specific rain cape.

+1 on needing a bike-specific rain cape. I picked one up from China on eBay for $20 including shipping. I slid the elastic handles over my handlebars and biked in a very heavy rain shower and got to work cool and dry. After years of sweating in "breahable" rain gear it was a revelation. Rain pants are a good addition, as is a mudflap on your front fender.

[nashcommguy]

cycling specific rain gear. there's no bad weather, only bad clothing

+1 ^^^ Essential information. http://www.bicycleclothing.com I got the Gore-tex jacket, pants and helmet cover. Cost me 200.00, but worth every dime and more. To keep rain off my goggles I use a golf visor for downpour and full coverage fenders for up-spray. Rubber gloves. Gaiters from knees down if it's really bad. Paper towells in my shoes upon arrival at work helps to soak up excess water.

[ItsJustMe]

My preferred solution is to get wet. It's a lot of fun. My glasses get wet too, but I find it easy to see through them even when covered with water. You just have to get used to it.

I do wear rain gear if it's < 50*F and raining. Above 50, I get wet. In fact I've been known to postpone leaving work to wait for the rain to START.

[scoatw]

Just use the money your saving on gas and treat yourself to a top-of-the-line rainjacket. You'll be a lot more comfortable in the rain and glad that you did it. The plus side is they make a great outer layer in winter and block the wind and cold. I've got a Showers Pass and that thing makes cold weather a non-issue. It's a truly 4 season jacket.

[bkrownd]

A lot of us skip the raingrear unless it's cold enough to keep from sweating underneath it, and then use one of several rainjackets based on preference. You'll know you've got it right when you find out you like riding in the rain.

Short sleeved rain jackets, FTW!

[fietsbob]

Rode thru the winter in a safety parka from the shop that sells to roadway workers ..
and some 3 layer WPB rain pants, and added a pair of LL Bean boots..

[Schwinnrider]

I just ordered a J&G rain cape, because the rainy season here is summer, and rain jackets are stifling. I thought capes were supposed to be cooler. Is that the case?