Training in the rain-yuck!

[Caren]

We've had a crazy wet summer here in OH this year. I guess I should be glad that I'm training for the Bike MS event because otherwise I would have talked myself out of riding at least 3 days out of the week due to weather. I've been sucking it up and just going out anyways and the light rain isn't so bad but I'm starting to think the last two days I went out wasn't the smartest. Both days I thought I was riding out and around the dark clouds and both days I wound up right in the thick of it, heavy rain and lightening and at least 15 miles from home. Yesterday was the worst, I took a rode I wasn't familiar with to try and get home quicker and wound up on the major road that carries Cedar Point traffic. Thank God I was wearing my safety vest. My only choice was to turn and head back into the storm, or venture onto a very busy road in the pouring rain. :( Still 5 miles from home it was pouring so hard I couldn't see and the water kept filling my mouth. Yuck! I did make it home but my computer quick working (it's ok this morning but I had to reset the whole thing) and my shoes were just a squishy disgusting mess.

Any ideas for good rain gear for the summer? It's easily 80 degrees some days but I just can't handle water logged feet (and it can't be good for my shoes!) and feeling like I'm stuck inside a ziplock baggie.

I'm also thinking about not selling my current bike when I get a new one. If I just get a narrower bar, it will work much better for me. Still to big, but better to take that out in the yucky weather than a brand spanking new ride. :)

[OakLeaf]

This is one of the reasons I like running ... I was just commenting on FB that our "storm total precipitation map" starts six days ago, yet I've been able to run completely in the dry on four of those days so far and it's looking very promising for today. Haven't seen my bike in a while, though. :p

Best thing to do with wet shoes of any kind is stuff them full of newsprint as soon as you get home. An hour or two later, pull the insoles out and replace the wet newsprint. (If they don't deliver free ad papers in your area any more, yes the paper CAN be spread out and dried for re-use. :p) They will be as close to dry as they're going to get by morning.

[Susan Otcenas]

If it's 80 degrees and pouring, my suggestion is that you don't really need to worry about being wet. (And staying dry in a torrential rain such as you describe is well nigh impossible regardless.) You'll be warm. Instead, to avoid waterlogged feet, try a cycling sandal like these: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodKE_1008668.html Your feet and the shoe will dry out much more quickly.

[Caren]

Ooh, good idea! I'll need another set of cleats, but I was thinking about needing new ones anyways so I can just swap new ones to my shoes and the old to my sandals.