Does anyone else enjoy commuting in the rain?

[goneriding]

I am rain fan. I don't like the squelchy feet though. Dry socks in the pack are the go!

[ColinOldnCranky]

Generally I like the rain, the down side being that I have to prepare for it - load up bag with extra gear, etc. However, in Perth rain also means little in the way of wind, and mostly I only come across serious riders, and less peds, land ess dogs.

And, at my speeds, mostly it is not cold.

[mikedufty]

I usually commute by motorbike when it is rainy to avoid the drying and cleaning and oiling and give the motorbike some exercise, but I do feel a bit jealous when I see others out on bicycles, especially when it is not actually raining much, just wet.

[Mulger bill]

Good solid drizzle on the way to the station and a bit heavier off the train great fun but...
Anybody know where I can get some windscreen wipers for me specs

Shaun

[Biffidus]

Attach a short bit of wiper blade to the index finger of your glove like they do with wet weather motorcycle gloves...

See here: http://dailydiy.com/2008/05/27/page/2/

[Mulger bill]

Thanks for the tip Biff, I'll have a look at that. There's a little raised padded strip on the left thumb of me winter glove. Now I know what it's for...

Shaun

[trailgumby]

Once I'm warmed up it's rather fun.

But I really don''t enjoy the 3km downhill run that starts my commute in the wet. I have the Netti rain jacket on, and my fingers and toes are still often numb by the time I get to the bottom.

By the time I'm halfway up the next climb the rain jacket is off because it's too hot, and then I'm right.

I don't enjoy the cleanup afterwards. I don't enjoy the extra risk, and will ride footpaths if I feel that drivers are inattentive or unable to see me, or I'm unable to judge how far away they are. Don't like doing that, but better a fine than (another) trip to hospital. Fortunately that's rare.

Bike clothes dry pretty quick after a bit of a squeeze out. Shoes dry well if you stuff them with newspaper to wick the moisture out. Change every couple of hours for best effect.

On the mountain bike I hate it. The rain makes the track very slippy, especially wet roots and the adverse erosion impact when it's muddy goes up several orders of magnitude. Cleaning the bike off is a major exercise, and the impact on transmission wear is huge. And don't mention the impact on brake pads. You can wear through a set in a single lap.

[beauyboy]

I find it fun but only when there is no-one around. On the road I am incredably nervous of cars acting like idiots and on the bikeway I am nervous of pedestrians doing sidesteps around puddles and other cyclists think cutting a corner without atleast ringing there bell is a good idea .

Mind you I do love flying past the ones getting a wet back and my mudguards protecting me from the road grim

Donald

[silkishuge]

I find it fun but only when there is no-one around. On the road I am incredably nervous of cars acting like idiots and on the bikeway I am nervous of pedestrians doing sidesteps around puddles and other cyclists think cutting a corner without atleast ringing there bell is a good idea .

Mind you I do love flying past the ones getting a wet back and my mudguards protecting me from the road grim

Donald

Commuting in the rain = no wheel suckers.

Anyone want to recommend 100% waterproof rain covers for the shoes? Mine seem to keep my feet dry in drizzles and wet roads but does absolutely nothing in heavy rain.

Jon

[Fletcher]

Anyone want to recommend 100% waterproof rain covers for the shoes? Mine seem to keep my feet dry in drizzles and wet roads but does absolutely nothing in heavy rain.

Jon

Heavy rain would be very difficult to keep out of your shoes. I can't speak from experience but have read reviews. If I were in your shoes (I know, that pun deserves a solid slap but I couldn't resist ) I would check out Ground Effect or some of the European brands like Assos etc. High qual stuff made for use in places where the weather really is a problem. Drop into a newsagent and check out some of the UK cycling mags. Their winter editions are out now, and full of adverts for wet & cold weather gear. That will give you some pointers to check out on the net.

Edit
Also, there seem to be a couple of grades of bootie covers. I saw some covers advertised in a mag which looked very heavy duty, and came up above the ankle, while most cover just the shoes. They looked as though they were seriously water resistant, but also looked warm - probably too warm for Aussie summers - and that's about all I can contribute.

[queequeg]

Commuting in the rain = no wheel suckers.

Anyone want to recommend 100% waterproof rain covers for the shoes? Mine seem to keep my feet dry in drizzles and wet roads but does absolutely nothing in heavy rain.

Jon

I use some Gore Bike Wear City Overshoes, similar to these ones: http://www.this link is broken/p/cycle/7/Gore_ ... 360031432/

They are never going to be 100% waterproof because the bottom of the shoe is still uncovered, and you have a velcro strip running up the back. However, a few tips to maximise the "waterproofness"; 1) When riding in winter, put your longs/leg warmers over the ankle cuff of the shoes. This stops water running down the inside of your leg and into your shoes. 2) When riding in summer, use some trouser clips or straps to stop water running down your leg.

I also use a Gore Bike Wear Helmet Cover to stop water running through the air vents in my helmet. http://www.this link is broken/p/cycle/7/Gore_ ... 360044628/ 100% Waterproof, have always arrived with dry hair!

That basically comprises my typical wet weather gear for summer. In the colder weather, I use an Endura Gridlock Rain Jacket: http://www.this link is broken/Mode ... delID=9268 It is 100% waterproof, or at least it has been in all the rain I have ridden in (some of which was torrential. It has lots of pockets, with waterproof zips. Also has underarm vents (can be zipped up), and a little loop on the back to clip a light onto. The downside to this jacket, and other waterproof jacket, is that you will sweat like a farm animal in them. I don't think there is such a beast as a "breathable" waterproof jacket. It will keep you warm and it will keep the cold rain off. It won't keep you dry from sweat, so you will arrive home drenched but warm. As such, I only use it when it is cold. The rest of the time I just use the overshoes and helmet cover and just get wet

[silkishuge]

Anyone want to recommend 100% waterproof rain covers for the shoes? Mine seem to keep my feet dry in drizzles and wet roads but does absolutely nothing in heavy rain.

J

Heavy rain would be very difficult to keep out of your shoes. I can't speak from experience but have read reviews. If I were in your shoes (I know, that pun deserves a solid slap but I couldn't resist ) I would check out Ground Effect or some of the European brands like Assos etc. High qual stuff made for use in places where the weather really is a problem. Drop into a newsagent and check out some of the UK cycling mags. Their winter editions are out now, and full of adverts for wet & cold weather gear. That will give you some pointers to check out on the net.

Edit
Also, there seem to be a couple of grades of bootie covers. I saw some covers advertised in a mag which looked very heavy duty, and came up above the ankle, while most cover just the shoes. They looked as though they were seriously water resistant, but also looked warm - probably too warm for Aussie summers - and that's about all I can contribute.

Thanks Fletcher. Appreciate the advise. I would at least like my feet to be moderately dry if possible. Not sure I can afford making additional purchases now, although I think I am one of the smaller spenders on Money Pits 2010.

queequeg, thanks for the tips. I use a Netti jacket and that keeps me very dry from the rain but as you have said, absolutely soaked with sweat by the time I get to destination. I have used it in -5 deg C weather during the cold winter months of country Vic with great effect, but freezing when I remove the jacket because of the sweat. I have the same experience with leg warmers. I found my booties worked better with leg warmers. Perhaps I might be able to source out some booties with a tighter band around the ankle area to prevent water entering from the top of the bootie.

J

[mikedufty]

Do you need to keep your shoes dry or just your feet? If just feet consider seal skinz waterproof socks. They feel a bit weird and stiff when you first see them, but are quite comfortable once on and seem to do a good job of keeping my feet dry. I wear them on winter mornings to keep my feet warm, and they are also good when its wet. Even kept my feet dry in Scotland.

[queequeg]

Do you need to keep your shoes dry or just your feet? If just feet consider seal skinz waterproof socks. They feel a bit weird and stiff when you first see them, but are quite comfortable once on and seem to do a good job of keeping my feet dry. I wear them on winter mornings to keep my feet warm, and they are also good when its wet. Even kept my feet dry in Scotland.

I have the SealSkinz Waterproof socks as well. They will get wet on the outside, so as you walk your feet go "squish, squish, squish", but the inside of the sock stays pretty dry. Same rule applies though - if the water runs down your leg and into the socks, the inside will get wet as well.
I mostly use my overshoes to keep off all the muck thrown up from the wet road. On all but the most disgusting rainy days, usually just the outer edges of the shoes are wet. After reading some other comments, I am going to plug the holes around the cleats with some waterproof silicone rubber. I don't know why I didn't think of that before!

[Alistair]

I don't know, as i've never done it before... i suspect i'm about to find out though. Melbourne weather looks interesting. Knock off at 6, so predict the storm will hit at 5.55. Should be fun in normal clothes!

At least it isn't cold... yet.

[Mulger bill]

Gettin' home tonight woulda been a biatch if I didn't.

Shaun

[Alistair]

It didn't rain on me at all, although i think there were a few drops earlier. It was a weird night - it was pretty dark at 4.30, but the storm never came

[provoked]

My heart says yes, but my head says no. Head says its rather more dangerous, because the bogans in cars can't see as well and don't slow down so have less margin for error etc.,.. Usually, I let my heart rule. Heart says it's fun defying common wisdom every now and then

Totally agree with wombat here. I love it, it's just the caged people I worry about. All they need is another excuse for knocking me over.

I too also enjoy the looks on peoples faces when they see me pedalling along in the rain - that, "you have totally lost it" look.

[Mulger bill]

Light rain when I got off the train tonight, couldn't be arsed putting the gear on. Mmmmm hot bath.

Shaun

[rearviewmirror]

I enjoyed my commute last night, left work at 4PM, right during the worst of the storm. Douglas Parade in Newport had nearly a meter of water over it, the trusty old Giant forded the river like it was nothing. I certainly do enjoy riding in the rain!

[Aushiker]

Hi

Another than the glasses getting all fogged up/wetted out and hence a pain to see out especially at night, I generally enjoy it. Must remember to try Rain-X this winte.

Andrew