Originally Posted by
BigAura
I understand the conceptual appeal for a few limited set of circumstances (desert sun, gentle rain).
There are several negitives that would keep me from generally packing and lugging around an umbrella on a bicycle tour.
- umbrellas are terrible in wind
- they tie up one of your hands
- you can't ride with an umbrella
- they supplement, rather than replace rain-gear
This is why I prefer to bring a poncho. It's small and light. It doesn't tie up my hands. And I can just pop it on if I've got to dash from tent to toilet or if I'm wandering around a city doing some sightseeing or whatever. I can even ride with it if I wanted.