Rainy days and Sundays...

[newfsmith]

I use the above 2 jackets for commuting year-round. Normally I use the J-G jacket which is waterproof with a cape back, pit zips, front vents, and a mesh liner if it is below 50 to 55. By adjusting the velcro wrist straps you can vary the amount of air coming in there also. It does flap with everything open, which could be annoying on a descent longer than I usually deal with. I've ridden in some pretty nasty storms and the only water that has come through was down the neck, it does not have a hood. Even with everything open, 60 is about the top temperature I will use it. They often have them on sale, they are solid yellow for good visibility, I've used mine for 4 years of almost daily commuting. http://www.jacksongibbens.com/

My warm weather rain jacket is the hooded version of the Rainshield O2. This is an amazing jacket. It has NO vents, but is not a sauna. It is a little shorter but still keeps me dry in heavy rain. It's biggest drawback is that it snags easily, definately not for the mountain bikers. I just use reflective tape to patch the snags. It flaps a lot. It comes in yellow (my favorite color) and is widely available from mail order places. For really warm weather use I have modified mine with a paper punch and put some underarm vents in as well.

[sarahkonamojo]

Doing ride the Rockies, too. Rain and chill are a real concern. If it is raining (and especially if you are headed down hill) it will be COLD.

FYI I'm packing a smartwool zip-T, Toesters, knee warmers, gloveliners,and a Marmot precip jacket. I have not been able to shove it all in my detour handle bar bag. The precip jacket is kind of big. I was thinking of a fanny pack for the precip jacket, but need to test ride that combo. Never ridden with a fanny pack.

I am not worried about getting clammy, but am worried about the cold. But if clammy and then get cold, there is a problem...

And, needless to say, no cotton.

SKM

[annie]

I have done RtR a couple times. The weather can be so changeable! You definitely need to be prepared. Hot and dry, cold and snow. Hail, rain, wind, forest fires! At one time or another, we experienced all of those! I carried with me (or sometimes started out in the morning wearing) wind/rain shell jacket, arm warmers, leg warmers, toe covers, finger gloves, earband, and I think that about covers it....... I never wore all that all day. Sometimes, it would come off then go back on, as when headed down a pass. I managed to carry it all in an expandable seatpost bag and a fanny pack. The fanny pack was fairly large and extremely stuffed when full. Once riding, I really didn't notice it, tho' it sounds uncomfortable. This was back when I was more of a minimalist as to what I carried on the bike. Nowadays, I'd be more apt to throw a rack on back with a trunk bag and not worry about the extra weight. Much easier and more comfortable. However you work it out, you will have a wonderful time! It is a great ride.

annie

[Pedal Wench]

Doing ride the Rockies, too.
SKM

Sorry, Sarah, I just saw this post. I'm pretty much packing the same thing. I own a Marmot Precip, I just can't find it... I also have another water-resistant jacket that rolls up incredibly small. I guess I'll bring that on days they don't expect rain, just in case. On days that rain is predicted, I'll wear the Precip. I hope that between my Jandd bag and jersey pockets, everything will fit. It should be fun, that's all I've got to say!

Annie - what kind of food is at the rest stops - I'm trying to figure out how much of my own I need to carry each day.

Edit: Okay - FOUND the Precip. In the room with my hiking gear. Right where it was supposed to be. It is a bit bigger than I remember - the sleeves are long enough even when I'm stretched out, and it's long enough to cover a good bit of my bottom. It also doesn't pack down as small as I hoped. I think that I can actually use TWO seatpost bags (don't you love sloping toptubes???) on days when I need to carry it.

Colorado people - do you have warning about rainy days? Will I know in the morning what to bring on that day's ride?

[sarahkonamojo]

The only thing certain about the weather here is that you can't predict it. Watch the weather channel and bring it all.

This past weekend Saturday 70's and sun. Sunday and Monday 50's and RAIN. tuesday 60's and sun.

IF it is raining in the morning wear everything you have and bring an extra layer. Most likely, in the am it will be sunny and beautiful and you will be riding in t-storms by noon. Always pack for rain and then, hopefully, we will have beautiful weather.

In general the start (Grand Junction) is hot and dry. As the days progress, the route gains elevation and will cool. Gunnison/Salida/Leadville it will be cooler in the am/pm and the t-storms may be more severe. Worst thunderstorm I've ever seem was in Buena Vista (half way between Salida and Leadville, day 6.) Leadville elevation is 10,000+ and is always cold.

Supposedly, there are a lot of food vendors along the route. But, of course, bring some energy food.

I'll be the slow one on a purple Terry Symmetry. (But with happy feet, I hope.) Hard to pick out anyone from 2,000 people...

Have fun,
SKM

[Pedal Wench]

Sarah,

Thanks for the input. I just saw that they posted the elevation profiles... I need about another month of training to feel really good about this!

I'll be on a dark gray Bianchi with celeste (pale green...) logos and a very pink helmet. Hard to miss, but hard to spot amongst 2,000 other helmets! Slow and steady is my plan.

Say hello if you see me!

(Leslie)

[skibum]

I think I've mentioned before that I'm doing Bike Tour of Colorado which is the week after RtR. I'm sure it's similar weather & elevation profiles so I appreciate all the great tips that everyone has posted.

I get nervous about the mileage and all the climbing but my friends that are travelling with me tell me I'll do fine. I'm with Leslie, slow and steady and enjoy the scenery. It's not a race, it's a vacation.

I look forward to reading about your trip and comparing our experiences!

[Pedal Wench]

Skibum, please let me know about your ride. If this one goes well ( ) we're going to do one or the other next year. The dates for your ride just didn't work for us this year, and we lucked out and got into RTR. Our schedule is more open next year, so we might do whichever route looks best, or just do BTC, because we know we don't have to win a lottery to enter. I would love to compare notes and see how they both stack up.