Rain Wear Question

[Python]

Mr Silver's "Rain Ride" has inspired this question.

What do you ladies wear if you go out on your bike and it's raining?

I remember seeing cyclists years ago with these bright yellow capes and Sou'wester hats which covered rider and bike. I actually saw them in one of our supermarkets recently. Not the most becoming of apparell (both for the rider and the bike!)

[IFjane]

I don't have specific rain gear because, if it is actively raining I choose not to go out. We have so many hills/curves on our roads that I do not feel safe out there in the rain. However, if the forecast is like Mr. Silver had and I decide to take a chance on it, I usually pack my PI Zephyr jacket. It is not water proof, but is water resistant and will keep me pretty warm & dry until I get back. It is also that lovely neon yellow/green color & can't help be be seen.

My biggest complaint about rain riding is my glasses - I have Bolle wraparounds with prescription inserts. If it starts raining, I have to take them off and ride "blind" because the water gets between the lenses & I can't see a thing!

[Eden]

It depends on how you intend to ride too. If I am going out for a more touring pace ride or on errands I prefer to wear a good waterproof rain jacket - waterproof, but vented - pit zips and the like. If I am going out for a fast training ride I prefer a very breathable soft shell, since if I'm going hard I sweat too much in a waterproof jacket, no matter how beathable it claims to be. Then if I slow down I'm all sweaty and I freeze... The soft shell remains warm even when wet.

[RoadRaven]

I pretty much do what Eden does.

I don't do looong rides...

50-80km would be my longest rides. I wear only a soft, breathable jacket in light rain/drizzle.
I have a long sleeved water-proof jersey/jacket for heavier rain.
But really heavy stuff i just don't ride in...

[Python]

I'm really asking because I'm about to ditch my car. I'm hoping to sell it shortly. I haven't been using it so much, mostly because of the expense of keeping it on the road (UK). I'm only 3 miles from my workplace so having two cars in the family isn't really viable anymore. In any case, I can get to work far quicker on the bike - and that applies to going home too even though it's uphill all the way. It's just that we have typical British weather. We can have all the seasons in one day LOL.

[KnottedYet]

Another Seattle-ite chiming in: I generally just wear wool (pants, socks, shirt, jacket) for speedy rides as I sweat too much in rain gear.

For my 4 mile commute I wear a light rainjacket and when it's really raining I wear a cheap pair of nylon rainpants over my work pants.

I have a pretty decent water-resistant pannier on my commuter bike that keeps my stuff dry. i have taken dry socks and such to work with me on wet days.

[madisongrrl]

Vented Rain Jacket (pit zips)
Neoprine Toe covers - if it's colder
Amfib Pants - if it's colder, else just cycling shorts with or without knee warmers
Smartwool socks
Cycling hat under my helmet and ditch the glasses.
Fenders on the bike

[Python]

and ditch the glasses.
Fenders on the bike

I couldn't ditch my specs. I'm as blind as a bat without them

[Cyclo Kitty]

Vented Rain Jacket (pit zips)
Neoprine Toe covers - if it's colder
Amfib Pants - if it's colder, else just cycling shorts with or without knee warmers
Smartwool socks
Cycling hat under my helmet and ditch the glasses.
Fenders on the bike

That's good stuff!

But I, too, must have the glasses. Some days I have wanted a face shield...

I have an Endura jacket in bright orange that is very water repellant. Reflective stripes, too. No pits zips, but very breathable and layerable.
That, and I love my AmFib tights.

A bright yellow waterproof helmet cover with reflective stripes keeps my head dry, and while it's not my favorite fashion statement it works when a hat would be too much.

Wool socks are the best! You just don't get as cold in wet wool.

Fenders: SKS makes a great variety, they really work, they can be light, the ones with a safety release in the front rock, they really are a great feature.

[Kitsune06]

If you can, I highly recommend contacts and amber-lensed (or clear) safety glasses.

[spokewench]

When it rains here, it is usually not very warm, but it rains cats and dogs and lightnings and thunders ! Yikes you get the idea. If it looks like it is going to rain, I carry one of those clear plastic looking bike rain jackets. They do not breathe well, but I'm just trying to stay warm when it is raining here (even in the summer) so it usually works out okay.

If it is not cold, I might wear a wind breaker or nothing but my regular kit.

[lauraelmore1033]

I've found that sometimes I stay drier when I wear fleece. It does get wet, but it keeps the water away from my skin and also breathes well. I do have rain gear which claims to be "breathable", but I'm always wetter under the coat than outside it since I sweat so much.

[madisongrrl]

I couldn't ditch my specs. I'm as blind as a bat without them

Me too, but I make myself wear contacts when I'm cycling...then I have the option of ditching my glasses if it is raining especially hard or getting too dark (if I have my tinted lenses in). That is when the cycling hat helps to shield the rain and wind from my eyeballs.

[Mr. Bloom]

Although it was 5:30PM, I would not have continued the ride except that I was wearing a bright yellow jersey.

If was was wearing black or blue, I don't think I would have been as visible and would not have continued. Rain visibility is impaired for everyone...and drivers aren't looking for cyclist in the rain

[Python]

I've never got on very well with contact lenses although I did try them again for about a year recently, and went back to wearing specs. I have a severe astigmatism in one eye which makes fitting contact lenses difficult and doesn't give me the clarity I really need and due to my age wear varifocal specs these days. I've worn specs all my life so I'm pretty used to them.

I used to ride a motorbike a few years ago (just never got round to passing my motorbike test) so don't use a motorbike anymore but have rediscovered the joys and benefits of cycling - and it means our government (yes, you've guessed, like many people here I hate our government and it's ever increasing taxation especially for motorists, not to mention the government's cash-cow the dreaded speed cameras although I've never had a speeding ticket ever ). On the way home I keep singing to myself "Ha-ha. Gordon Brown (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) isn't getting a penny" That gives me the drive to get to the top of the hill

I used to ride my motorbike in all weathers - including snow. When it's cold and wet, with a full face helmet, things get steamed up very quickly. I remember one time I also had a stinking cold. It was heavy sleet/rain and freezing cold. I came up to the roundabout, sneezed, my nose started running, my visor fogged up (and so did my specs) just as I was turning right round the roundabout. I still don't know why I didn't drop the bike that day. Think the bike knew where she was going LOL. I got home OK.

Still, if we have a summer like we had last year and the forecasters are saying we're in for a long, hot summer then rain isn't going to be too much of an issue. I only work part-time in the mornings so it's never going to get too dark.

The route I go is a 20mph speed limit all the way. I phoned our Council yesterday to ask why, as it's a fairly quiet road, they hadn't put dedicated cycle lanes in it as there's no dedicated cycle route from the north end of town where I live into the centre of town. The man I spoke to said he hadn't thought about it, but he said I had a really good point and told me to put my suggestion to the Council in writing which I am going to do. Our Council is very pro-bike and does have many more cycle routes planned for our town, but this road, for some reason hasn't yet been earmarked. Let's see if we can change that

I digress! I shall probably have a look round and try and get something rainproof to slip on or not bother and just get wet