Rainy days and Sundays...

[Veronica]

I have a rack with a really BIG bag for commuting. And yes I have ridden up Diablo with this big bag on my bike. I find just the rack covenient to have on my road bike. If I'm not carrying a large enough bag for a jacket, I strap the jackets (usually mine and Thom's) to the rack with an old toe strap. When riding on my own where there are no stores, I have strapped extra water bottles to the rack. Yes, it adds weight to the bike, but it certainly helps my piece of mind.




Thom uses an Arkel handlebar bag on both his single and the tandem. He got it originally for carrying his camera. The thing is the place to be if you're in an earthquake (and really small!) It's amazingly sturdy. He says it changes the handling a bit, but you get used to it.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Another option if you have a rack on your bike is to use a single pannier on the rear rack. That's what I use when I commute to work, and I have also used it on long day rides when I wanted to carry "stuff" with me. I use a small pannier - which is actually classified as a front pannier - on the back. And it really doesn't make the bike feel off balance. I actually prefer the feeling of the weight down closer to the ground - I hate the feeling of a handlebar bag. (Yes, I know, that might be considered a bit odd.) Just another option to think about...

--- Denise

[Pedal Wench]

I live in far northern Ca., where it rains a lot during the winter. I have like the REI goretex jacket; it has the tail that can be pulled down in serious rain. I've worn it in some pretty serious rain, and I see quite a few around here, which must be some kind of vote of confidence. I'm wearing it in the little avatar picture.

The REI jacket is just what I was looking for - the 'tail' is just what I want to keep rain from dripping into my shorts - yuck! Do you know the model name?

I have two choices for seatpost bags. I had bought a Cannondale bag that has an expandable bottom. It has about 185cu. in. capacity. I was all set with that, until I upgraded my Cannondale bike to a Bianchi I'm now trying out a Jandd bag that I got from Performance. It also expands to about 175/185. My plans (PLEASE - Opinions wanted and needed!!!) are to carry: tools (patch kit, levers, spare tube, multitool) food (bars, gels) sunscreen and arm coolers (from DeSoto sport to keep sun off) money, ID, small first aid, asthma puffer, and RAIN JACKET! It's a tight fit, but everything goes in - but I've been using an ineffective rain jacket up until now!

[wabisabi]

Well, I had a somewhat fruitless live online discussion with REI. I cannot see the jacket listed among the jackets online, and none of the others look waterproof. They promised to do some searching and try to locate the jacket. It is gold/yellow, with grey strips along the arms. It has a zippered pocket in back, velcros closures on the arms, zipper plus buttons on the front, and the grey "tail" velcros up inside when not in use. It has pit zips. I'll let you know what I find out.

I have the same bike as Veronica, (wow, even the same bell in the same place!) and in the winter I put fenders and a small rack with a rectangular pack on it. It holds a lot of stuff. I have both a regular bike pump plus a cylinder. I have found tweezers to be a good item, also a smartwool hat. My friends here also use wool stuff such as long underwear (good quality merino stuff--OK, from Rivendell) and say that even when it warms up it is not uncomfortable.

[Crankin]

OK, here's the name of the jacket i couldn't remember; it's a Craft, w/ 1.3 protection. It is fairly light compared to other Gore-Tex type jackets I have seen.It does not feel sweaty and it comes in a woman specific style. In fact, I bought it because it comes in an extra small. It's true that if it's cold out (less than 65 or so), the layers you wear underneath are important. I usually wear a light weight Merino wool shirt between 55 and 63 or so. Lower than that, a mid weight merino wool shirt or a mid weight thermal shirt. It amazes me that some people are out riding in short sleeves at these temps.

[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.

[skibum]

I hadn't even heard of either ride until a friend suggested BTC. It looked like fun so I decided to sign up with her and a couple of others. So, I didn't compare the two in advance.

I'll post a ride report when I get back. I'll be interested in seeing how they stack up too although I don't know if I'll try the RtR anytime soon. My list of places to go & things to do keeps growing faster than I can keep up given limited time & money.