Rain??? Ugh!

[marni]

Thanks Crankin... I really need to get a base layer anyway.. I'm gonna hit up the bike shop this week and see what I can find that will help.

as always the two magic words are wool underlayers. Wool breathes very easily. I wear a wool underlayer anytime it is under 70 degrees here in Houston. Have gotten caught out in a rain storm unprepared only once- I spent three days recovering from hypothermia. The temperature was 55. Keep your core warm.

marni

[AZchick]

I really need to find some wool in the next three days.

[Crankin]

Go to REI or any other outdoor store. This does not have to be cycling specific.

[AZchick]

I got wool!!! Yeah for REI! Got weatherproof gloves and wool socks too. I kinda want it to rain now... At least I'll be warm.

[marni]

believe me, too warm is better than being cold, you can always shed a layer or unzip if you get too warm, but it's hard to warm up once your core temp starts to drop.

[withm]

believe me, too warm is better than being cold, you can always shed a layer or unzip if you get too warm, but it's hard to warm up once your core temp starts to drop.

Exactly. It's much easier to STAY warm than to GET warm.

[spokewench]

Exactly. It's much easier to STAY warm than to GET warm.

I've never had great clothes to ride in the rain like the Pacific Nwesterners we have on this forum, but I swear by the cheap clear plastic raincoats with velcro on the front that they sell in bike stores. You may get hot from within, but at least it will keep you warm.

[PamNY]

I got wool!!! Yeah for REI! Got weatherproof gloves and wool socks too. I kinda want it to rain now... At least I'll be warm.

When you do experience rain-on-wool, if you are like me, you will be delighted at how well it works to keep you warm.

I'll never forget the first time wool tights kept me comfy on my bike during a chilly, drizzly day. I became a believer.

[Dogmama]

Your ride is probably over by now - however - be sure to watch braking. Your rims will get wet & braking may be compromised.

Somebody suggested lowering your tire pressure. This is good for gripping the road but bad because you're more likely to pick up those sticky things that cause flats. In AZ, we don't get a lot of rain so the road edges tend to accumulate lots of flat-makers.

[breeze]

Any non-wool base layer suggestions for cold, damp riding? Sadly I'm allergic to wool/animal fibers. For skiing, I generally stick with Lightweight Polartec, but it doesn't really get wet. Would that work as well as wool?