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Riding in the rain

Old 02-13-05, 12:51 AM
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Riding in the rain

First let me state that I live in Southern Calif., so I don't get to ride in the rain too much. In fact it occurs so infrequently that I go out in my regular riding clothes and carbon shoes and maybe a jacket. So here's my question: I'm going on my first long tour this summer (North, just North) and I'm gonna get freezing ass rained on for the first time and I want to know what you folks do to keep your feet from freezing in soggy shoes? Do you wear "touring" shoes that work fine wet or dry, do you wear shoe covers? Help save a warm weather old man and tell me your stories.

thanks
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Old 02-13-05, 01:21 AM
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I use neoprene over booties, they work fine for keeping water out and add a bit of insulation and wind blocking. We get our share of rain riding here, if not for booties and fenders I wouldn't ride 5 months of the year. Lots of different styles available, take your touring shoes with you and try them on at the store. Only thing I might add, don't wear your best shoes on the trip, booties are great, but if you ride on wet roads all day for a few days, they will be wet along with everything else you wear. Don't forget leg warmers and clear lens for your glasses, you'll need them along with dark ones. Quack quack!
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Old 02-13-05, 03:13 AM
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I wear good old time tested Shimano SPD sandals. There isn't much to them and thus, they don't hold much water. This helps them dry quickly too. If the weather turns ugly I throw water proof socks on over the regular insulating socks I normally already have on. You can find the water proof socks at outdoor/fishing shops. This approach keeps my feet warm and dry for the most part.

These sandals are also pretty good 'round the town as well so you *can* get by with just one pair of shoes. Though they have SPD in their name, I use them with Speedplay Frog pedals with no problems.

Here's a link:
Shimano Sandals

Cheers,

Ron
Utah...for now.
Jasper, Banff, Calgary & Edmonton this July.

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Old 02-13-05, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by rlong
First let me state that I live in Southern Calif., so I don't get to ride in the rain too much. In fact it occurs so infrequently that I go out in my regular riding clothes and carbon shoes and maybe a jacket. So here's my question: I'm going on my first long tour this summer (North, just North) and I'm gonna get freezing ass rained on for the first time and I want to know what you folks do to keep your feet from freezing in soggy shoes? Do you wear "touring" shoes that work fine wet or dry, do you wear shoe covers? Help save a warm weather old man and tell me your stories.

thanks
Riding in the rain isn't just about shoes, although for comfort I'd rate shoes pretty high. Are you ready for the driving rain of the Pacific Northwest? It gets into every orphus and makes you cold and perhaps hypothermic. You don't say when or how far north you are travelling, but it is my guess you may want to re-evaluate your entire rain management system
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Old 02-13-05, 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by stokell
Riding in the rain isn't just about shoes, although for comfort I'd rate shoes pretty high. Are you ready for the driving rain of the Pacific Northwest? It gets into every orphus and makes you cold and perhaps hypothermic. You don't say when or how far north you are travelling, but it is my guess you may want to re-evaluate your entire rain management system
So true on every point! Look here for the systems PNW riders look to. https://www.burley.com/products/raingear/default.aspx
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Old 02-13-05, 04:50 PM
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I live in Portland and commute 10 miles each way all year 'round day and night. To be honest, it really doesn't rain all that much up here in the summer. You might get a day or so each week........ Winter is a whole diffferent story, though this winter has been pretty dry. Technically speaking, we are in a Mediterranean climate, which is defined by being wetter in the winter than in the summer.

Having said that, I have tried almost every piece of raingear out there. Believe it or not, the best thing I have found is the Propore cycling jacket, that runs about 32 or 34 dollars at REI. These things work about 10 times better than ANY Goretex or Precip jacket in terms of both breathability and waterproofness. OK, they are not so durable, but hey, I could buy 6 of them for the price of one Goretex jacket. Each one lasts me about a year and a half. Even on cool sunny days, they keep me much drier than my Pearl Izumi silmond windbreaker, whch is supposedly breathable.... And they weigh about 5 ounces. This is a great way to go, especially if you are a visitor who will not be riding in the rain much after leaving here. I can't say enough good things about them.

The neoprene booties, as mentioned, are a terrific thing in the winter. I use the fleece lined Performance brand ones, currently on sale for 20 bucks in my local Performance store. In the winter, my feet are the warmest part on my whole body and they used to be like ice cubes in any ride over 20 minutes. They might be overkill in summer....... Sealskinz socks over light liner socks work fine also and are lighter, though not as warm.

Any kind of Goretex liner ski glove works just fine for me.
Wear a helmet that has a visor! This goes a long way to keep the rain out of your eyes.

OK, the other thing you need in the wet is wool. Specifically, merino wool, like the Smartwool, Ibex or some of the stuff Rivendell carries. I have about 15 Patagonia Capilene long sleeved tops that now sit in the drawer since discovering how much better wool is when it gets damp. The socks are terrific and also the zip turtleneck. Merino wool does not itch........ try it ..... you won't go back to anything else....

As mentioned full fenders are pretty much essential......

Go to great lengths to keep your sleeping gear dry. Lining conventional panniers with plastic works just fine...... no need to invest in Ortliebs or Vaudes ..... though they are nice, indeed.

Lastly and maybe most important..... adjust you attitude! Keeping a sunny outlook is imperative. Hey, it's just water and if you are wet but warm, what's the big deal? You can get chilled if you stop though, so either have warm spare clothes or a warm place to duck into. You will find LOTS more coffee shops up here and for good reason! The sun WILL eventually come out and you can dry out your stuff so don't worry...... just have fun!
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Old 02-13-05, 09:26 PM
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Hi!

I like to wear sandals in the rain if it's a reasonably warm rain. When it gets colder I usually wear shoes,

Crazily enough during the last two long tours that I've been on, I left my lightweight overcovers at home. One of those crazy save a little weight type decisions. Big mistake since it likely saved a few ounces of weight and it took the shoes three days to fully dry out.

Sandals are the best. Some people bring sandals and goretex socks so that they can ride in the cold wearing sandals rather then bring an extra pair of shoes.

~Jamie N
www.bicycletouring101.com
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Old 02-13-05, 11:14 PM
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I don't know a lot about shoes and also don't know what Burly products cost but, as for keeping dry. I am in Los Angeles and am occasionally out in the rain when I work. Gotta love those El Ninos. Any way, I picked up a light weight but thoroughly water proof nylon set of Helly Hansen pants and jacket at Sports Chalet for $100 and have used it for years. Even in the most torrential downpours it keeps me dry. Helly Hansen products are made primarily for sailors. This is just my two cents. I'm no expert at this cycling stuff, which is why I come to this site.

Last edited by Ciufalon; 02-13-05 at 11:17 PM. Reason: mispelled word
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Old 02-14-05, 01:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Ciufalon
I don't know a lot about shoes and also don't know what Burly products cost but, as for keeping dry. I am in Los Angeles and am occasionally out in the rain when I work. Gotta love those El Ninos. Any way, I picked up a light weight but thoroughly water proof nylon set of Helly Hansen pants and jacket at Sports Chalet for $100 and have used it for years. Even in the most torrential downpours it keeps me dry. Helly Hansen products are made primarily for sailors. This is just my two cents. I'm no expert at this cycling stuff, which is why I come to this site.
I have used HH stuff for years too, started using it for skiing, mostly base layers and liner gloves. You are right, they are a Seattle company, so they have the climate to test their products out in the extremes of cold, wet and damp, and it works. Lot's of recognition and respect here. I've always found it to be a great bargin like you.
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Old 02-14-05, 05:12 AM
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I use neoprene over booties (if the rain is too cold or snowy). But if it rains longer than about 3 hours the water will find it's way...
Look at my wife, climbing the rainy Galibier (it took about 1 hour in a hot bath to come back to life)
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Old 02-14-05, 06:24 AM
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I tour in shimano cycle sandels with capilene socks and neoprene overboots when it rained. keeps your feet supprisingly warm, dry unless it's heavey rain, and dries out really quickly even in a tent (unlike shoes which stay wet for ages). Strip off a layer for dry but cold and other for dry and warm.

If you are on a long chuff and it's raining, everything is going to get wet, even stuff in paniers unless you take extreme precautions. I use supposedly waterproof paniers then double wrap in plastic bags. That works most of the time.
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Old 02-14-05, 11:04 PM
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Good advice. Thank you. I have been doing just that, as best I can with virtually no experience, shoes are the last on my list.
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Old 02-14-05, 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by stokell
Riding in the rain isn't just about shoes, although for comfort I'd rate shoes pretty high. Are you ready for the driving rain of the Pacific Northwest? It gets into every orphus and makes you cold and perhaps hypothermic. You don't say when or how far north you are travelling, but it is my guess you may want to re-evaluate your entire rain management system
Let me repeat my just posted reply: Good advice and thanks. I'm planning as best I can with little experience, and shoes are the last on my list.
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Old 02-14-05, 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Endovrend
I live in Portland and commute 10 miles each way all year 'round day and night. To be honest, it really doesn't rain all that much up here in the summer. You might get a day or so each week........ Winter is a whole diffferent story, though this winter has been pretty dry. Technically speaking, we are in a Mediterranean climate, which is defined by being wetter in the winter than in the summer.

Having said that, I have tried almost every piece of raingear out there. Believe it or not, the best thing I have found is the Propore cycling jacket, that runs about 32 or 34 dollars at REI. These things work about 10 times better than ANY Goretex or Precip jacket in terms of both breathability and waterproofness. OK, they are not so durable, but hey, I could buy 6 of them for the price of one Goretex jacket. Each one lasts me about a year and a half. Even on cool sunny days, they keep me much drier than my Pearl Izumi silmond windbreaker, whch is supposedly breathable.... And they weigh about 5 ounces. This is a great way to go, especially if you are a visitor who will not be riding in the rain much after leaving here. I can't say enough good things about them.

The neoprene booties, as mentioned, are a terrific thing in the winter. I use the fleece lined Performance brand ones, currently on sale for 20 bucks in my local Performance store. In the winter, my feet are the warmest part on my whole body and they used to be like ice cubes in any ride over 20 minutes. They might be overkill in summer....... Sealskinz socks over light liner socks work fine also and are lighter, though not as warm.

Any kind of Goretex liner ski glove works just fine for me.
Wear a helmet that has a visor! This goes a long way to keep the rain out of your eyes.

OK, the other thing you need in the wet is wool. Specifically, merino wool, like the Smartwool, Ibex or some of the stuff Rivendell carries. I have about 15 Patagonia Capilene long sleeved tops that now sit in the drawer since discovering how much better wool is when it gets damp. The socks are terrific and also the zip turtleneck. Merino wool does not itch........ try it ..... you won't go back to anything else....

As mentioned full fenders are pretty much essential......

Go to great lengths to keep your sleeping gear dry. Lining conventional panniers with plastic works just fine...... no need to invest in Ortliebs or Vaudes ..... though they are nice, indeed.

Lastly and maybe most important..... adjust you attitude! Keeping a sunny outlook is imperative. Hey, it's just water and if you are wet but warm, what's the big deal? You can get chilled if you stop though, so either have warm spare clothes or a warm place to duck into. You will find LOTS more coffee shops up here and for good reason! The sun WILL eventually come out and you can dry out your stuff so don't worry...... just have fun!
Wow, I have seen the Rivendell cataloge , but havn't worn anything wool in 20 years, and they don't itch!! Hard to believe, but I'll give them a try. Thanks for the weather report to.
P.S. I've never heard of sealskinz socks. Where do you find them?

Last edited by rlong; 02-14-05 at 11:20 PM. Reason: left something out
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Old 02-14-05, 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Ciufalon
I don't know a lot about shoes and also don't know what Burly products cost but, as for keeping dry. I am in Los Angeles and am occasionally out in the rain when I work. Gotta love those El Ninos. Any way, I picked up a light weight but thoroughly water proof nylon set of Helly Hansen pants and jacket at Sports Chalet for $100 and have used it for years. Even in the most torrential downpours it keeps me dry. Helly Hansen products are made primarily for sailors. This is just my two cents. I'm no expert at this cycling stuff, which is why I come to this site.
Thanks, I was going to check out Sports Chalet for my one, or two suits of non-riding clothes. My daughter spends summers (and some winters) in Ireland and loves Columbia clothes for their weatherability (that is a made up word).
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Old 02-14-05, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by marmotte
I use neoprene over booties (if the rain is too cold or snowy). But if it rains longer than about 3 hours the water will find it's way...
Look at my wife, climbing the rainy Galibier (it took about 1 hour in a hot bath to come back to life)
marmotte
That's what I'm actually afraid of, those days where you just stay wet and cold and there's not a damn thing you can do about it. Reminds me too much of being in Viet Nam where I swore I'd never be wet and cold again.
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Old 02-14-05, 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Bigmikepowell
I tour in shimano cycle sandels with capilene socks and neoprene overboots when it rained. keeps your feet supprisingly warm, dry unless it's heavey rain, and dries out really quickly even in a tent (unlike shoes which stay wet for ages). Strip off a layer for dry but cold and other for dry and warm.

If you are on a long chuff and it's raining, everything is going to get wet, even stuff in paniers unless you take extreme precautions. I use supposedly waterproof paniers then double wrap in plastic bags. That works most of the time.
Thanks Mike. I'm planning to pull a BOB trailer and will wrap things up as best I can. I've never heard of capilene socks?? Where can I find them?
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Old 02-15-05, 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Shifty
I use neoprene over booties, they work fine for keeping water out and add a bit of insulation and wind blocking. We get our share of rain riding here, if not for booties and fenders I wouldn't ride 5 months of the year. Lots of different styles available, take your touring shoes with you and try them on at the store. Only thing I might add, don't wear your best shoes on the trip, booties are great, but if you ride on wet roads all day for a few days, they will be wet along with everything else you wear. Don't forget leg warmers and clear lens for your glasses, you'll need them along with dark ones. Quack quack!
I suggest the Burley shoe covers and some extra socks over neoprene booties unless it's really cold (<40 F). Less bulk and your feet won't overheat as much.

Also try yellow or red lenses for rain riding. It really helps with contrast.

Stuart Black
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Old 02-15-05, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Bigmikepowell
If you are on a long chuff and it's raining, everything is going to get wet, even stuff in paniers unless you take extreme precautions. I use supposedly waterproof paniers then double wrap in plastic bags. That works most of the time.
Pack a day's worth of cloths in a 1 or 2 gallon zip lock. All you have to do is pull the whole bag out at night when you go to bed and you are ready to go in the morning. Keeps everything nice and dry in the rain too, as well as having everything well organized for the whole trip.

Stuart Black
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Old 02-15-05, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by rlong
Thanks, I was going to check out Sports Chalet for my one, or two suits of non-riding clothes. My daughter spends summers (and some winters) in Ireland and loves Columbia clothes for their weatherability (that is a made up word).
REI's beathable rain jacket and rain pants are good too. Cheap (~$50) compared to other jackets. Both worked well for me in Missouri in 2003.

Stuart Black
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Old 02-16-05, 01:29 PM
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Wow, I have seen the Rivendell cataloge , but havn't worn anything wool in 20 years, and they don't itch!! Hard to believe, but I'll give them a try. Thanks for the weather report to.
P.S. I've never heard of sealskinz socks. Where do you find them?[/QUOTE]


REI, amongst others, carries Sealskinz socks:

https://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...cat=REI_SEARCH


Here is their web site..... you can find additional dealers there...

https://www.sealskinz.com/

They are pretty thin, but you still might want to take your shoes and liner socks along to try them out to make sure they will fit.......

It is an advantage of the Neoprene booties that they just fit over what you have....... but they are heavier and bulkier than the Sealskinz if that is a concern......
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Old 02-16-05, 07:28 PM
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I road from Northern California to Southern California this winter, and it rained on me about 2/3rds of my trip. Rain was pretty cold too. I don't recall ever being too cold to stand it, but my fingers more than anything faced the brunt of the rain. I was wishing that I had taken a pair of ski-gloves with me just for warmth. All I had was mild-weather rain gloves and summer gloves.

I just wore booties over my shoes, and that was enough for me. I think I had two pair of socks on my journey.

I've got to second the visor on the helmet. Without it, there would have been times where I couldn't see a thing.

I travel very light in general, and so my shelter was just a poncho tarp, but I'd wrap that over my clothes and it kept my sleeping clothes dry. I don't think I was ever seriously cold while riding, except for my hands, as I said.

Depending on where exactly you are going, there might be the opportunity to dry up in a bathroom. I actually spent about three or four nights in State Park bathrooms. Some even had an air-hand drier! It really makes a difference to go to sleep in a sheltered place after being rained on all day.
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Old 02-16-05, 09:33 PM
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Hello rlong, it doesn't rain in Southern California? I thought all it did this winter was rain!!
None the less where exactly "NORTH" are you biking? If it's the Seattle-Portland area I totally
agree with Endoverend. It really doesn't rain the much in Seattle anymore thanks to global warming.
I bike all winter with regular bike shoes and wool socks. Now, gloves are a whole other enchilada!
Even with liners most of the time my hands are C-O-L-D!!!! So you need to be prepare for
that
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Old 02-20-05, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Marge
Hello rlong, it doesn't rain in Southern California? I thought all it did this winter was rain!!
None the less where exactly "NORTH" are you biking? If it's the Seattle-Portland area I totally
agree with Endoverend. It really doesn't rain the much in Seattle anymore thanks to global warming.
I bike all winter with regular bike shoes and wool socks. Now, gloves are a whole other enchilada!
Even with liners most of the time my hands are C-O-L-D!!!! So you need to be prepare for
that
Marge
I'm going North along the coast and cut inland to Chico. Then continue on through central Oregon and Washington. After that, I'm not sure yet, as I have a lot of time to plan now and ride then. I intend to look at Wilderness Adventure's maps of their suggested roads and paths.
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Old 02-20-05, 01:46 PM
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Question: I bought a couple sets of neoprene booties, once (mail order)(two different sizes), to try them out. I found that they were designed for narrow "racing" shoes rather than the Shimano SH-M037 shoes we have (mountain bikes shoes, I guess?, recesses cleats that make walking easier). In order to be wide enough to fit this shoe, they ended up too long.

So, what booties work on these non-aerodynamic shoes?

As for rain gear, we have opted for the J&G Cyclewear https://www.bicycleclothing.com/ rain capes and helmet covers (the long version to fit over a helmet with a visor -- we wear glasses, the visor helps some in the rain). I simply would drown in my own sweat riding in a rain suit. I even find the modern tight weave fabrics of windbreakers too un-breathable, so that I get wet under that from sweat. So, yes, rain capes are well ventillated, but I need that.

If it is really nasty, we'll rent a room (if we can) and hunker down, dry out & warm up. We are not masochists, really, at least not when it's raining.
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