rain + cold commute

Hello friends,

So... I did some searching in the forum about this already but didn't quite resolve all of my questions.

What do you all wear when it is cold and raining for your commute?

I live in Austin. (Yes, I'm sure the fact that I am calling our 50 degree weather right now "cold" is laughable to some of you...) ;)

I usually commute by bike as long as it isn't raining/too cold. (I worry a lot about safety with rain---mostly the fact that cars do a lot more skidding in it....but that is a different thread!)

But, my car's alternator went out, and I am carless...thus, I will be commuting in the rain/cold anyway this week.

Thus....I am trying to figure out what to wear. I have tried lots of combinations of waterproof pants/waterproof top jacket layer...but I still find that ultimately I am getting wet and cold.

Largely, my face freezes. My hands freeze. My feet freeze.

I have "cold weather gear" for my face---but it does nothing once it is wet. And, even when it is cold I end up chapped with dry, cracky, painful skin.
I have cycling gloves meant for cold weather---but my hands go numb still.
Feet: Shoes inevitably end up wet + wind rushing through shoe material
I have a "splash gaurd" for the back wheel to prevent the back splash.

Am I missing something?? How do you ladies stay dry(er) and warm(er) when you ride in rain/cold???

Specifically, what do you do for your face/hands/feet that helps??

Thank you!
-Cold and Wet in Austin

if your whole body is warmer, the cold face won't be so bad.
How far/long is your commute?
also you get used to colder temps, which for you are in the 50's .

I think the biggest problem more than the cold is that it's foggy/drizzly on top of it... it's a slow insidious wetness. Real rain would probably be more tolerable... the cold alone, probably not a big deal.

I don't have any suggestions, but I am curious to hear solutions... I'm reticent to get on the bike in this weather because it's just yucky :(

This is not the answer you're hoping for... but basically:
wear wool,
ride fast,
suck it up
and hope you have a drying cupboard at work.

It works for me, but not very well... :rolleyes:

A fender for your front wheel will keep your feet a lot more dry.

Thin layer glove + dishwashing gloves. The dishwashing gloves are pretty much windproof, and the layer keeps you warmer. Go for a size bigger than usual on the dishwashing gloves. (Plus, your hand signals will be very clear.)

Wool is good. I have a thin wool cap that fits under my helmet. It keeps my feet warmer. (No joke.)

A good-quality rain jacket is nice. Does not have to be cycling-specific, although that helps.

If it's really POURING I wear rain pants and gum boots with thick wool socks. Not very comfortable, but keeps my feet dry.

If it's really COLD I wear my winter boots, those that are designed for Montreal winters. I don't think you'll ever need that in Austin.

Keep your head warm. The rest of you will also be warmer.

Hi viz rain jacket is a must. Layer underneath--that's going to be trial and error to find out what works for you. But a few layers are better than one heavy layer.

Shoe covers help keep your feet warm and dry.

How far is your commute?

Fenders make a tremendous difference in keeping you dry from below. They help even if it's not raining, but the roads are wet.

I have some windproof and " breathable waterproof" socks by Seirus. They're neither totally waterproof or totally breathable, but they do make a big difference on wet or windy days.

Last but not least, a waterproof helmet cover can make a big difference. I have one by Louis Garneau that's nice, and I'm sure that Gore makes them as well.

Thanks guys. These are good tips.

Clarifying details: My commute is about 30-45 minutes each way. It will get colder in Austin at some point (or, at least, it usually does). But, never really colder than 30.

Helmet cover: good thought. Didn't know they had those. Makes sense

Front fender: didn't know these existed. Good to know.

Dish gloves: Never would have thought of that. Makes sense--- Definitely going to look into this!!


Ultimately, I'll probably just have to suck it up ;)

But, it does get more complicated when I have to run errands in the day and commute several times-- Either have to put wet clothes back on, or carry multiple pairs!

Such is life, i suppose!

Thanks for your thoughts!

While Gore-Tex clothing is expensive, but it works very well in wintry weather.

Hands are the worst in cold and rainy weather, I have yet to find a pair of waterproof gloves that work in cold rain. I think the tip of dishwasher gloves with a thin wool liner is probably at least as good as any expensive waterproof gloves you can find.

Feet - I have neoprene shoe covers that delay the water, and keep me warmish once my feet are wet. With medium thick wool socks it's ok, but my shoes need vigorous drying afterwards anyway.

Face - I swear by a little vaseline or similar on exposed skin in wet or cold weather, especially areas like around your nose which easily get damp. A Buff/neck gaiter helps when it gets cool, but in wet weather wool is better.

But to be honest, if I didn't have a drying cupboard at work I probably wouldn't commute in the rain... :o

You've had good advice, especially the "ride fast" -- honestly, going fast enough to generate heat is what makes most difference for me. I can't do wool (allergies) so I layer up, and when it's the nastiest -- cold *and* wet -- then I make sure I"m wearing the higher-tech stuff. I've got two layers of gloves and duckboots for when it's really wet (but I'm shopping for something better for the feet).
I don't have a "drying cupboard," but I've got a computer under my desk and can drape at least one thign where it will dry without shorting things out... and I'll bring along spares. Makes for lots of laundry, though.

I really don't ride much in the rain - but if I do... I just treat rain like I do skiing and mostly wear my ski gear.

I have goretex outer gloves that are waterproof that I wear over liner gloves.

I have neoprene over shoes and waterproof bike shoes - but you might be able to use like paddling socks or neoprene socks for wet.

If it's a drizzle rain, I'll just use softshell pants which will get rid of most of the rain. Rain pants - I like the patagonia spraymaster pants. They're waterproof, stretchy, tapered at the bottoms, and full zip.

Jackets - goretex rain jacket.

Face... I think I have a neoprene like full face mask from serius - I use it skiing and it does get wet from skiing (mostly my breath going out wets it), but it stays warm and protects the face from wind.

You can maybe put the rain jacket hood underneath your helmet to try to keep things dryer at the neck.

I definitely can keep myself dry skiing (even if it's pouring rain while skiing, which has happened a few times)... but typically if I'm out in the rain on the bike it's 'cause it started raining on me and not that I started off biking in the rain... So how well any of this works to keep you dry on a bike, I don't really know.

LPH: I'm with you----I am yet to find gloves that work well for me! I am going to try the dish gloves idea! GOod thought on shoe covers...and the face/vaseline. Enlighten me--what is a drying cupboard??

Catriona: Good thoughts on the ski gear. I need to dig out some of my face warmers/warming under layers and such. :)

Geonz: Yes. Lots of laundry on my end too! I don't have a great drying space for anything. I have a locker in the gym....but.... when I put clothes in there, they don't dry out so well (even hung inside). Not enough ventilation/space, I think. Otherwise, I would have to tote my wet clothes around with me to each classroom and lay them out somewhere ;/

oops, sorry. I never think that I might not be using the right name. If it sounds good to me, I go for it ;)

A large, well, cupboard or locker, if you like, looks like a large fridge. Metal. Has a heating element and a fan installed at the top that blows warm air down inside, and is "furnished" with racks inside to hang clothes on. Commonly used to dry clothes or laundry indoors but they make a bit of a racket. We have 5! of them at my workplace, dearly beloved by the winter cyclists.

So what do you call them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lph

A large, well, cupboard or locker, if you like, looks like a large fridge. Metal. Has a heating element and a fan installed at the top that blows warm air down inside, and is "furnished" with racks inside to hang clothes on. Commonly used to dry clothes or laundry indoors but they make a bit of a racket. We have 5! of them at my workplace, dearly beloved by the winter cyclists.

So what do you call them?

---

I've never even seen something like that- how cool!

At work, I have some magnetic hooks stuck to my bookcase, and all my stuff hangs there to dry.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lph

So what do you call them?

---

Here where we have no snow, nothing :p To us it sounds as foreign as putting your boots/gloves on the radiator to dry out....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lph

oops, sorry. I never think that I might not be using the right name. If it sounds good to me, I go for it ;)

A large, well, cupboard or locker, if you like, looks like a large fridge. Metal. Has a heating element and a fan installed at the top that blows warm air down inside, and is "furnished" with racks inside to hang clothes on. Commonly used to dry clothes or laundry indoors but they make a bit of a racket. We have 5! of them at my workplace, dearly beloved by the winter cyclists.

So what do you call them?

---

Oh wow!
I've never seen (or heard) about such a thing! Cool! What state do you live in? Lots of people have these? In houses ever, or just offices and such?

I live in Texas...so...well..yeah. ;)

I live in that long thin state, way north, called Norway ;)

Funny, I just assumed everybody knew what these were! They're fairly common at schools and suchlike, not quite as common in homes since they're noisy, but some people have them. They're good for drying wet outerwear, heavy jackets, shoes etc, that wouldn't do well in a dryer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lph

I live in that long thin state, way north, called Norway ;)

Funny, I just assumed everybody knew what these were! They're fairly common at schools and suchlike, not quite as common in homes since they're noisy, but some people have them. They're good for drying wet outerwear, heavy jackets, shoes etc, that wouldn't do well in a dryer.

---

Oh, Norway is now a state?!?! ;) JK!

Very interesting! I can see how these would be really good to have in snowy/rainy places!

I'm surprised I haven't seen them in Colorado. Maybe this is just a non-US phenomenon? ;)

I'm super envious of your drying cupboards at work!

The US is fairly backwards in respect to Europe sometimes...

They have towel warmers and trouser presses, and all that good stuff standard.

We have to like specifically go out of our way to get things like that.

Layers because it is often that we overdress rather than underdress, then drying sweat makes ya cold.

I do:

polyester or other synthetic base layer (either a jersey or a tight fitting underarmor shirt)

light alpaca wool or other wool sweater

high vis windbreaker (that has no insulation.) It breathes, but keeps the wind out.

If it's raining, gym warmup pants over my capris or shorts.

Wool socks.

garden gloves over a liner (sometimes.) You can get those rubber dipped garden gloves at the hardware store - they are nice because the rubber grips, is tough, and insulates, but the fabric side breathes.

Alpaca hat/beanie or a synthetic balacava or a synthetic (coolmax) buff under the helmet.

That's it!

It starts out chilly, but after five minutes I am warmed up. Best, I am not overdressed, which I think is worse than being underdressed. I hate being hot on the bike.

We don't even have coat rooms.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by indigoiis

garden gloves over a liner (sometimes.) You can get those rubber dipped garden gloves at the hardware store - they are nice because the rubber grips, is tough, and insulates, but the fabric side breathes.

A

---

Garden gloves---good idea! A different take on the kitchen gloves!

I live in Portland, and riding in the rain is unavoidable. My commute is about 10 miles each way, and I really like the helly hansen freeze long johns (polypro inside/merino outside) topped with a wool sweater and finally a waterproof shell. I have gloves that are somewhat waterproof, and love my swrve knickers with the fleece insides. Rainpants suck a bit, and I can't seem to find a pair small enough to fit, but the knickers are water resistant and allow me to move comfortably. Oh...long wool socks rock!

I just read a strange but possibly good tip for riding in the rain - chop off some old rain pants below the knee and make "rain shorts". Supposed to keep off the worst rain from above/in front, stop the worst of the splash from behind onto your shorts, but still let air circulate much better than rain pants. I have yet to ride in rain pants and not wonder whether I would've been dryer without.

We are in agreement, Rainpants are good for a short commute only.
I want a drying cupboard! we have drying racks that we set over heat vents.

Never heard of a drying cupboards in this part of the planet, either! How much energy do they suck up?

Couldn't be too much, it's just powered by a fan.

Here ya go, ladies - the drying cabinet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drying_cabinet

The one in the photo is about twice the size of the ones we have at work, and looks a bit more fancy.

Another one:
http://www.staber.com/dryingcabinet

Funny that they call it a "high-end product" - they're pretty standard in kindergartens and schools here and are not considered high end at all.

From what I've noticed, most european appliances are a lot more energy efficient & conscious than American versions... so I'm sure a drying cabinet doesn't take much and is way better than a dryer.