TheFatOne

Hi,

I just joined this forum.
For start I'm looking for info on how to stay dry when riding the bike to work.
You know it's raining too much; and when it's not raining it's pouring...
And when it's not any of these, then it's my own sweat.

I don't like going to work and be avoided by everyone as a plague....
We don't have any changing rooms at work, nor any showers.
Just the toilets. And one disabled toilet.

I did 3 months riding to work about 5 months ago.
And instead of loosing weight, I gained about 2lb......
Oh, and I have rheumatism......since starting this riding to work, my left shoulder is killing me....
I'll try again now...but it's too much sweat...to much rain......and too much pain.

What clothes should I get?
Should I reduce the speed, not to sweat?
Cycling to work is 3.3miles one way, done it in about 17-20 minutes.


Help a Fat man stay dry, and feel comfortable, please.

Thanks.

Machka 

Waterproof-breathable jacket with long pit zips.

Juha

You may notice it's difficult to find waterproof clothing that is breathable enough. I've tried some of the heavier GoreTex, and a lot of the cheaper imitations, and none of them breathe enough for me (I tend to sweat a lot). In summer conditions I settle for water resistant (not waterproof) clothing that will breathe really well. I don't mind so much about getting wet from the rain, provided I stay warm. Come to think of it, right about now is the time of year when I can start considering anything more waterproof, as weather gets cooler.

In my case, merino wool shirts have made a lot of difference. They wick well, and don't stink like synthetic materials tend to do. Cotton is really really miserable when wet: it's cold to wear and takes ages to dry. Steer clear of that.

Regarding your weight, muscle tissue is heavier than fat. Your improved muscle strength might explain some of the weight gain. But folks over at our Clyde & Athena forum will have more advice on that.

biknbrian

I can't say that I've every stayed completed dry in a kind of steady rain. The key it to find clothing that will tolerate it well. Breathable shells can help keep rain at bay for a while but will eventually let moisture in if given enough time or if it is raining hard enough. Even so, on such a short ride a shell may keep you somewhat dry on all but the wettest ride. I think that you are still going to have to find a way to change at work so that you can ride in the appropriate moisture handling, fast drying clothing.

MichaelW

Fit fenders: rain is clean but road spray is dirty.
Wear Merino base layer, it stays fresh for longer.
Dont overdress
Waterproofs are usually not breathable enough. Find one with plenty of vents, back, underarm etc.
Use a windproof, less waterproof but more breathable.
Ride steadily so you dont overheat.
Slow down for the last 500m so you cool down on the bike. Dont rush from the bike to a heated office in all your rain gear.

dcrowell

Fenders are a must. You don't want road crud on you... and you definitely don't want to taste it.

For a short commute like yours (about the same as mine) what you wear isn't quite as important. Today was rainy and cool. I wore my work clothes (business casual) and a rain cape and helmet cover. A rain cape is ventilated quite well (from underneath). It keeps your top dry. Fenders will prevent water from splashing upward. You'll only get your pants wet if it's REALLY raining.

In warm rain, I wear cycling clothes and just get wet. I change in the restroom. In cold rain, I'll wear several layers including wool, and a jacket over the top. Again, I'll have to change.

There are a lot of options. Carry dry clothes to work and experiment. Good luck!

PatW

In my situation, I sweat profusely. I wear a nylon rain suit in cold rains to keep from freezing. But if it is raining, I am going to get wet either from the rain or from sweating in the rain gear. Even so, I always have to change and shower to be presentable. You can put panniers on your bike to ferry your change of clothes with you.

Roody

I agree with dcrowell--fenders and change clothes when you get there. Modern people are like sugar--they melt in the rain.

For more info, see the Commuting forum and Living Carfree forum.

SlimRider

Hey Guy!

Thus far, you've gotten great info.

You need to carry a pair of wrinkle-free trousers, a wrinkle-free work shirt, socks, and a pair of moccasins. All carried inside of your backpack.

However, I would add the following:

On your trek to work, wear the following:

1) Shorts

2) Long-sleeved short club jacket

3) Flip-flops (no socks)

4) Knit cap (underneath your helmet)

5) Poncho

-Slim

PS.

Keep a bar of soap, a wash cloth, and deodorant hidden somewhere inside of your place of employment where nobody can find it. If this is inconvenient, keep these things inside of a bag attached to your bike. Get to work early, clean up, and change inside of the handicapped restroom where nobody can witness. Try not to change at work before you ride back home (you don't want any witnesses). If you can find another place where co-workers wont witness, do it there. - Also, you may be able to keep your work shoes at work. Find some place to hang up your riding clothes. You'll need a hanger at work.

Machka 

No.

Cycling sandals maybe ... but not flip flops.

dcrowell

[QUOTE=SlimRider;13248250... (you don't want any witnesses). If you can find another place where co-workers wont witness, do it there...[/QUOTE]

Why no witnesses? I mean, I change in a restroom stall. Nobody will see me naked, but everybody knows I ride to work and change clothes. What's the big deal?

dcrowell

I concur. I was wearing non-cycling sandals (not flip-flops, but they had open toes) and I went over the bars due to a pot hole. I scraped up my hands AND FEET on the road. Road rash really hurts on the toes.

SlimRider

Sometimes, when it's hot, I'll think nothing of riding with my flips on...

What's the mechanical problem there?

- Slim

SlimRider

I don't know. That all depends upon his work environment. I've worked in places where that sort of thing would be frowned upon.

You quickly secure your bike. Rush into the restroom. Wash your face and private areas. Find a stall, change clothes, and make your exit.

...Unless you're skipping the wash part, I'd agree with you...What's the big deal?

- Slim

Machka 

It's better to ride with foot attire that has a reasonable chance of staying attached to your feet at all times.

SlimRider

Hey there FGR!

Just what exactly happened there? ....I mean, mechanically speaking...What did you do?...Do you even remember?

-Slim

fietsbob

Wet, is a long season, out here.. now beginning again.

once you have that, a Cycling Rain Cape, becomes practical.

its a cone like tent you poke your head thru, and hold out with your arms on the handlebars.

hands and legs stay dry, helmet and a rain cover can complete the ensamble,
if it's really nasty out, some rubber boots that come up to almost your knees are practical.

bigbadwullf

Personally I'd drive to work on a day it was going to rain but that is just me.

dcrowell

I remember it all. I was making a left turn signaling with my left hand, braking with my right moving more than 15mph. As I started the turn (still moving fast), I hit an un-noticed pothole.

I went down quickly, none of that slow-motion stuff. My hands got the worst of it (still have nice pink scars), but my left big toe got scraped up pretty good.

I avoided hitting my head, but I remember thinking "this is gonna hurt" as I slid across the road. It did.

The bike was fine other than the bar tape.

SlimRider

Hey there FGR!

I'm really glad I asked that question. At first, I thought that the sandals were the cause of the accident!

Well thankfully, at least you weren't severly injured.

I had a similar fall on July 3rd of this year, going down a hill in San Francisco, just in time for the great celebration!

Thanks!

- Slim

PS.

Actually, the way you told your story, made me chuckle a little bit, with the...thinking..."this is gonna hurt"...as you slid down the road .... and "It did"! - That's just golden!

Roody

Just you and 200 million other wimps.



Me. I'd rather drown in a flood on my bike than drive a car.

TheFatOne

Soon there will be 200 million other wimps minus one.

Thank you all for your answers.
-fenders - checked (bike came with them on)
-shorts - only in the summer; can't do it in the autumn/winter/spring.
-never thought of changing shoes at work - they stink. But we do have a room with a small fan on the outside wall. Nobody is using that room more than 1 hour per day. So I started leaving my shoes & soaks there with the fan ON. No smell. No complain.
- I was changing my upper clothes at work. From time-to-time I have to bring some work at home. When I do this I get the car, as the work is too big for the bike. At the same time I get new fresh replacement clothes with the car. And if there's nothing to work at home for too long, I take a fresh t-shirt in my backpack.
I've got my own room working alone in it. I can leave anything in there, nobody will comment even if they would see it.
One of the best suggestion was to slow down on the last 500m so I cool down on the bike. - Thanks, it's really working well. Before doing this I was still sweating at work 10-15 minutes after being in my room.
I always came earlier at work and change in the disabled toilet.
I just thought there might be a secret to keep you nice and dry.
I see there's none.
I always have my own soap and towel and 2 sets of t-shirts at work.
I'm thinking now at trousers too.

yes indeed. Wearing waterproof I get more wet than not wearing it.
I'm still looking for the one with more vents.

And I'm looking at a cycling cap (keeping rain out of my eyes) and a Cycling Rain Cape.

Thanks all.