Rain Commuting

[Velocivixen]

REI online shows several helmet covers- one by Gore and one by Sugoi.

[radacrider]

Portland has been pretty wet, too. I've been riding every day since the first of the year. I have the ShowersPass Elite 2, love it for the rain riding. I use general purpose rain pants that zip up the side. Tried the ShowersPass convertible, but the knees always soaked through (need to sell 'em to recoup some of that cost).

I wear my work clothes underneath the rain stuff. Don't wear any extra covers on the helmet because my head gets too hot and still gets wet.

Bike has bright lights and fenders, brake pads designed for wet weather riding.

I use a variety of carry options depending on my mood and what I need to carry - Ortlieb Front roller panniers (on the rear rack), messenger bag (waterproof), backpack(has rain cover).

We have secure indoor bike storage and an overflow area in our secure parking structure. I usually just hang wet gloves outerwear on my bike. Our office building also has showers and lockers. I don't ride so hard as to need a shower after riding in - hate changing clothes too many times during the day.

As far as motivation, I just started and made the commitment to bike commute no matter what, distance is 6 miles one way.

[VeganBikeChick]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I made the committment today to ride to work for the first time, but as I went out to my bike, I noticed my front tire was flat! Is the universe telling me something?! As I haven't changed my first flat yet, I took the bus tonight to work and plan on changing it tomorrow...then off to the LBS for fenders and a rack.

[Melalvai]

A flat tire is just something that happens. If you have a lot of them, it might mean you need new tires. I went 2 years without a flat--and then got 2 less than week apart, one in front & one in back. I think my tires have some miles left in them, but I'll probably replace them next fall with kevlar lined tires.

My commute is 2 miles. I agree on fenders. Not only do they keep stuff off of you, they keep stuff off your bike, prolonging the life of your chain & drivetrain. Any day your bike gets wet, wipe down the chain when you get home. It might seem like a chore at the end of a long day, but it only takes a few minutes, and it'll prevent rust. If you do notice rust the next day, oil your chain and get that rust cleaned off. I got 4500 miles out of my cassette by keeping my chain clean & replacing it every 1500 miles.

A few years ago I invested in expensive goretex rain gear. It is waterproof and breathable, so I don't sweat as much in it. But I learned it is most valuable as an outer shell on the coldest days. In general, whether it's raining, cold, or hot, I wear an old t-shirt and bring a nice shirt to change in to at work. Only on perfectly nice slightly cool days do I bike in my work shirt (slowly, so as not to get it sweaty). Or if I'm not going to see any humans that day, only rats. The rats don't mind if I'm sweaty.

I find obstacles themselves to be motivating. I like to bike when the weather is horrible, and when it starts to turn nice I find myself in the car a lot. So I'm not sure what to tell you about finding the motivation to bike when it is raining, if you're not naturally contrary!

[Geonz]

I have a 6.5 mile commute and I got a Gore-tex hand-me-down that makes me feel like it's not raining at all... I just hear this wonderful, gentle tapping of the drops. The pants haven't maintained their waterproofness as well, but I got some "re-waterproof" stuff and washed 'em in that, and that works now... and I just bring a pair of pants neatly rolled, in a plastic bread bag.

[VeganBikeChick]

So my front tire wasn't punctured after all...after I successfully took it off and put it back on again - the presta valve screw was loose

Got fenders, a rear rack, lights, and rain paints (on sale!!) last night...so hopefully I'm set now.

Any tips for going down steep hills in the rain?

[Velocivixen]

Nice job on the extra accessories. I want to see a picture please???

I'm a newby and still use my brakes A LOT going down hills. I'm interested in seeing what types of tips you get on that question.

Have fun.

[Biciclista]

Any tips for going down steep hills in the rain?

yeah, go slow

[radacrider]

Any tips for going down steep hills in the rain?

Kinda depends on the hill - how much run out is there, can I see off in the distance a bit.

I will typically pulse my brakes, light pressure keeps the water off, then apply and release to maintain the speed I am comfortable with.

Also depending on the hill, I might have an alternate route for those times, or even those times when I am not up to a particular section. (I had one of those the other day, severe hip/back pain, so I rode my alternate, less climbing/steep route)

Good luck.