Comments on: Commuting 101: Riding in the rain

By: Johanna

Johanna — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:36:46 +0000

I have loved my Showers Pass raincoat too. But then I read this article: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/climate-action/non-toxic-rain-gear and it makes me really worried. I’m trying to be GREEN here by biking, and instead I’m contributing to the dioxin in the air. Does anyone know of other options for rain gear?

By: Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:05:55 +0000

Good suggestion, Cheryl — I don’t ride horses but know people who do and have asked them about their gear — a lot of it looks ideal for cold weather cycling. Some of it’s even reasonably priced.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:33:35 +0000

Alternative to rain suits/ capes: Horseback riding jacket and pants.

I ride horses and statelinetack.com makes an excellent BREATHABLE waterproof jacket and water doesn’t come in through the vents because of the construction. Ditto for the pants.

I love it because rain/snow + 0 degree weather in upstate new york = icle on bicycle.

By: Framex

Framex — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:44:58 +0000

I commute for just 5 km to work in urban enviroment and always have a rain jacket and pants with me, if its raining hard I even use an umbrella, it’s a good exercise to drive with just one hand.
My biggest problem it’s to find a good water resistant shoes that I can wear when at office (so, casual dressing), i’m trying some goretex trekking shoes and it seems that will work well, but I’m waiting for the next storm…

By: SF Commuter

SF Commuter — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:54:59 +0000

I wear a good rain jacket and keep rain pants on hand for the commute to work. I do not have a shower at work and it is easier to store dry cycling gear than wet for the day at the office. On the ride home I only use the jacket and only if it is raining, drizzle does not count. Getting wet when heading home is not too big a deal unless it is cold.

My jacket and rain pants are by Shower Pass and I can’t recomend it more highly. Yes they are expensive but they keep you dry and have venting to keep you from becoming wet with sweat.

By: GW Rider

GW Rider — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:19:57 +0000

I am looking for a great product to keep my cleated cycling shoes dry in the rain. I am a 365 day commuter in New York. I don’t mind getting wet anywhere but my feet. The shoes take so long to dry and the squish is disgusting. I have resorted to plastic baggies under a pair of regular booties and this will help 80-90% give or take a minor amount of condensation. I reuse them as many times as I can, but I would like something a little more permanent.

By: Tristoche

Tristoche — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:03:14 +0000

If you ride in the rain, come to my new english Veltop test : http://velocoque.free.fr/spip.php?article27
THE bike accessorie !!

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:13:46 +0000

I ride whatever the weather. My colleagues think I’m nuts. In Sydney (Australia) it never gest too cold (coldest mornings around 10 degrees C), so I just go with lycra and get wet, relying on my energetic riding to keep warm! I don’t even have fenders.

One thing I would add though is about the way you ride. A lower gear helps to both keep speed down, and gives better feedback on how good the traction is. It gets very slippery in the wet – on a bike your stopping distance is greatly increased (much more, proportionately, than in a car). Take care not to lock up the back wheel going around corners – it can very quickly slide out from under you.

The other major hazard I find in wet weather is pedestrians. They tend to have their heads buried in umbrellas and can’t see a thing around them. That doesn’t stop them stepping off the curb into the road though…

By: Senrik

Senrik — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:18:03 +0000

In seattle, its fenders, and light waterproof jackets….. and medical insurance cards….

because you never can tell

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:42:32 +0000

Jack-
I use the Carradice Pro Route Cape, Pro Route Spats and Pro Route Helmet Cover.
Peterwhitecycles.com selles them but I bought mine from Carradice directly as Peter White was out at that time.

I also saw someone else using one on flikr so I am not the only one who likes them.
Others may be as good but this one I have no complaints about mine other than the helment cover can get in the way of my helmet mounted mirror.