scarleton

According to the 10 day forecast, the Hilly Hundred bike ride a week from Saturday has a good chance of rain. I don't get cold very easy so I am pretty sure I will be find in normal cycling shorts. So I am looking to keep 3 parts of my body as warm and dry as possible: core, feet, head. Any recommendations without breaking the bank?

Jacket: what works but isn't USD 200? I would like to keep that below USD 75, if possible.

Feet: I have Giro Apeckx HV, am I best off with their show covers or will any work? If any, which work the best? I get they ALL have wholes in the bottom for the cleat, but I would figure some work better then others. Am I better off letting the shoes get wet and using waterproof soaks? It is a two day event and the second day should be clear.

Head: What works? I don't think I need waterproof, just something that will keep the head warm when wet and work under a helmet.

Leebo

I like the showers pass commuter jackets. Waterproof, bright yellow, reflective bits, pit zips and longer on the backside. About $100.00 @ REI but have seen them for sale for less. Really a perfect jacket for me. Get a waterproof helmet cover, I use a J&G one, others available. Also I pair it with a poly pro headband or thin hat. I use flat pedals and waterproof low hiking boots.

pdlamb

First, relax. Weather forecasts out of the Farmer's Almanac are more accurate that weather forecasts more than a week out.

How do you want to get wet? Rain or sweat? IME if it's below about 55F, it's better to get a rain jacket and stew in your own juices, since you get an extra wind block from the jacket. Over 5 hours, pick a jacket, any jacket; you're going to get wet. Unzip as necessary to try to keep from sweating (it won't work but try anyway).

Above 60F, you might go for the "warm clothes in the rain" route. Wool jersey, arm and leg warmers. Wool socks, perhaps an extra pair to change into halfway through. Above 70-75, forget the jacket or you'll cook.

Carry a pair or two of extra gloves in a waterproof bag; dry gloves feel really, really good.

FWIW, I've done a rainy century. Been there, done that. Last year when it was raining on the day of our local century, I watched an NCIS marathon instead.

DeadGrandpa

Frogg Toggs at Wally World are inexpensive and light but the breathe-ability they claim (no pit zips) is not gonna keep you from getting wet with sweat. I bought a Marmot rain shell from Cyclocamping.com marked down to around $55 (it has pit zips) but haven't yet used it.

scoatw

here is a great jacket, will handle anything, good venting, the Waterproof, breathable rain jacket from J&G cyclewear. Waterproof Breathable Jackets from People Who Really Know Waterproof Breathable Jackets!
O2 rain wear has good stuff too. I have their pants and they are excellent. Calhoun Jacket (hi-viz yellow) | O2 Rainwear

bikemig 

Regardless of the weather forecast, it is a good thing to have a rain jacket esp. on a long ride as we move into fall. I use a marmot precip for commuting and I'd bring it on a long ride as well, Marmot PreCip® Jacket - Waterproof (For Men)

You can pick it up for less than $75. One of these days I'm going to invest in a showers pass, though. For the legs, just bring a pair of lycra tights and use wool socks. You're legs and feet will get wet if it rains but they'll be fine.

Marcus_Ti

Might consider light shoe covers as well if your shoes have lots of mesh vents. Few things suck more than an 80 mile ride where you can feel the water sloshing around your feet all day on each pedal stroke.

El Cid

About a month ago I bought neoprene overshoes, which I stretched around my Shimano SPD sandals. They do a good job of keeping my feet warm and dry even in a cold rain, and getting my feet a bit wet is less annoying when I'm not wearing any socks at all.

For winter I'll have heavier boots, but I like the sandal/overshoe approach for fall.

fietsbob

Cycle rain cape is something you can put on in a Moment. and it takes care of whole upper body
and puts your legs under an Awning of the cape over your arms

The British saddlebags like Carradice include 4 D rings on the Lid-flap, to tie down your rolled up Cape, between showers .

You do need Mudguards on the bike to be effective, though..

pyze-guy

That J&G jacket looks great. Good price and pit zips for venting.

pyze-guy

I always found that rain jackets cause me to overheat to much. Pit zips are a must, but I had a hard time findng some under$100.

For commuting i use a rain cape. It works really great, keeps me dry, and I dont sweat at all. For a century however i would not want to use it. You need fenders for it to be effective otherwise you get soaked from underneath by tire spray, riding into the wind is horrible, it has no aero factor and wind causes it to flap around and be noisy. It also IMO, looks dorky as hell.

scoatw

I've worn out two Showers Pass jackets up to this point in seven years of everyday commuting. Now I'm working on the J&G jacket. So far the J&G performs just as well as the SP. The pit zips on the J&G are huge compared to the SP.