Originally Posted by
e-Man
I was going to use the bike to commute today, but found decided against it due to the weather forecast (rain/wind/thunderstorms). When I left in the car in the morning, it was fine outside. Some drizzle in the afternoon, and then on the drive home I realized I could have made it before the real rain and wind hit. Being a newcomer to commuting. my question to you veteran commuters is how do you plan for mother nature?
If it's actually raining when I want to leave for work I just drive because I've become a wimp in middle age.
Otherwise I ignore the forecast apart from temperature, with colder temperatures calling for a long sleeve jersey and leg warmers that I might be wearing or just stashing in a pannier.
If it's still raining an hour or so after I wanted to leave I resort to the rain gear that's always in my pannier:
- I ignore light rain apart from using a pannier cover
- I add a jacket for heavier or colder rain
- I add booties for even heavier rain
- I add pants for showers
- I might add gloves too if it's too cold
When I wasn't a wimp and lived where it snowed I'd just swap on a wheel set with the skinniest cross tires I could find mounted and dress like I would for snowboarding apart from the cycling shoes, booties, and helmet cover. Ski goggles make even heavy snow tolerable and a beard will ice up before your skin does.