hey guys,
I've been commuting for over a year now, and have ridden in the rain when i needed to. I just...haven't liked it. No matter what, I end up soaking wet at the other end.

so since school has ended and summer is coming up, I'm going basically car free for the summer. I've been getting more rain gear along, including: waterproof saddle bag, rain pants, rain jacket, *fenders*, waterproof messenger bag, and proper lighting for rainy conditions. I also keep a platic bag under the saddle and put it over it if it's going to rain.

am I missing anything? is their some secret that bike commuters use to not get wet?

No, they generally realize that trying to stay completely dry is pointless.

I dodge raindrops.



Seriously, I get wet. It comes with the territory. I just make sure I have dry clothes for when I get to my destination.

I'm fine with being wet on the way home, but I need to be sort of dry when I get to work.

edit: @bigdaddypete : yeah, extra clothes is the route i'll probably have to go.

>I'm fine with being wet on the way home, but I need to be sort of dry when I get to work.

Oh. Works better if you take your work clothes and have a shower when you get there.

Ha! this topic might help ya
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/547657-not-waterproof-advertised.html

Riding in the rain will get you wet. Period. Rain gear will help keep you drier if it's a light rain and you aren't riding hard. If it's pouring, you'll get wet no matter what you wear. If you are riding hard and wearing rain gear, you will get wet from sweat. Fenders will keep you and your bike cleaner but won't keep much drier in the rain. If the roads are wet but it's not raining, fenders will keep you mostly dry. Bottom line, either learn to like (or tolerate) riding in the rain or don't do it.

yea, I would rather be soaked with rain than sweat. Just drives me nuts on my glasses. Cant wear contacts anymore.

If you are just going somewhere like a meal or something, you could wear cycling shorts with some waterproof trousers and then change into jeans when you get to your destination - the cycling shorts won't get too wet / will dry out quickly. Not sure about the top 1/2.

For work a change of clothes is the easiest route. But going out is another story, still trying to figure it out myself!

it's more important to stay warm than dry.

I got a nice rain suit for christmas last year. I've used it once. The folks above are right; you're gonna get wet, so having dry clothes and a dry towel will generally be the more satisfying option.

Once you're at one w/ the rain, it won't bother you when you get wet.

Unless it's cold rain.

Then feel free to kvetch away.

how do you ride in the rain? Id be extremely scared, the bikes (atleast for those of us who ride road bicycles) must be slippery as all hell in the wet..

They dont hydroplane. As for slippery, gots to be careful.

Slow down a bit and watch for puddles since you don't know deep they may be. Also watch for metal grates as they will be very slippery. And stay away from the center of the lane during the start of rainy season since that's where oil accumulated from motor vehicles start to wash away.

But riding the rain in is quite enjoyable. Until it is also cold and windy, then it's just plain miserable.

I love riding in the rain, my job has a very relaxed dress code so I can get away with showing up for work with soaked slacks and shirt as long as I have dry shoes. Summer rides in the rain make me feel like a kid again, although I do try a little harder to stay dry when the temps drop below 50F for fear of the dreaded hypothermia.

Wool, no matter what the weather conditions. Merino wool is the original performance fabric: Wicking and cool in the heat, insulating and warm in the cold, doesn't lose insulating properties when sopping wet, and doesn't smell like a dumpster full of old socks after a couple of sweaty rides.

Yup. That and "adventure khakis" if you want to wear your work cloths on your bike. They'll dry stupid fast.

Riding a road bike in the rain isn't a big deal. Take it easy around corners and don't expect to be able to stop on a dime. My rear brake is next to useless on a wet surface but other than that the bike performs pretty well in the rain.

Wet metal surfaces require extra care when being ridden on. Wet leaves are almost as bad as ice but usually not much of a problem until fall. Compared to winter riding on ice and snow, rain is a piece of cake.

I LOVE my shoe covers. I don't mind getting damp, but having your shoes fill up with rain is just NASTY. I hate that squishy feeling. Then it takes a few days to get your shoes dry again.

I also keep an eye on the weather radar in the afternoon. If I see a clear opportunity to head out during a break in a storm... I'll take it. I've managed to avoid a lot of rain that way. Some days it meant hanging around the office an extra half hour. Sometimes I didn't avoid the rain entirely, but at least I missed the "bibical" rain that hit right after I got home. That stuff is not fun to ride in as I know visiability drops to near zero for cars, and I just don't want to get hit.

Thankfully humans don't melt so don't worry about getting damp. If the temps are warm then I might just put on a rain coat and let my shorts get wet. If it is Fall through Spring, then I need to keep resonably dry or else the cold will hurt. Either way a ride in the rain is usually still better than being stuck inside.

Happy riding,
André

40º and rain sucks, 80º and rain is no big deal. Fenders keep the bike much cleaner, Brake pads and rims surfaces need to be cleaned after riding in the rain. Bike needs more frequent cleaning lubing, overhaul if ridden often in the rain. Even if your bag is "waterproof" put anything important in plastic bags. Painted road markings/stripes can be like ice when wet. glasses suck. road spray from cars sucks. Extra shoes so one pair can be worn while the other dries for a day or so. In the summer and warm temps I usually don't even bother with rain gear.

anyone think this tactic will work?

cycling jersey + "waterproof" jacket + cycling shorts + "waterproof" overtrousers

then carry a pair of jeans and a top. Im assuming the cycling jersey and shorts won't get too wet / will dry very quickly allowing immediate wearing of the dry clothes! This would be used when going out to a meal or something.

Daven

I have given up on staying dry in the rain. Anything waterproof enough to keep rain out usually also keeps sweat in so if I'm not wet with rain I'm soaked with sweat.

What I do is dress down for the commute with shorts (actually a baggy style swim trunks that dry quickly) safety lime t-shirt and sandals (I'm thinking about getting Crocs this year) with no socks. I bring my change of clothes along with a towel bundled up in a water proof bag.

I find bowing to the inevitable improves my attitude towards riding in the rain and it is often more enjoyable that way.

One of these days I'm going to try a rain cape. It's like a cycling specific poncho. Looks like it'd be obnoxious in the wind but typically the wind dies down when the rain starts up here.

I hate changing clothes.

Right now I usually just wear a semi-water-resistant weather shell and accept that my shorts will be wet.

Fenders make rain riding a much more pleasant experience. You may be wet but at least it's clean!

Don't forget your shoes. I use waterproof walking shoes. If you use clipless pedals, they have these booties you can pull over your cycling shoes.