Jacket HELP!!!

[Bumblebee]

I will be going on my first tour in less than a month and I have NO IDEA what to do about facing the elements (aka..rain, wind, cold). The tour is in North Dakota...the pretty part of the state that isn't completely flat, and I have been trying to find a windbreaker that will keep me warm, but is also wind and waterproof. I have been looking on different sites, but I never know how things are going to fit or what the quality is. All I'm looking for is something around $50-75 that will keep out the wind, water, and be good for the cool mornings. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathi]

I use arm and leg warmers for cool mornings.

Is the tour Candisc? We did it 2 years ago and don't remember needing much more than my arm warmers but it did not rain. I understand the weather was pretty nasty last year.

I got caught in the rain today in the Rockies and had on my Marmot jacket. It worked pretty well, kept me warm as the temp was 53. However, I only rode for a couple of miles and am not sure how it would have worked for a whole day of rain.

I've had good luck with Patagonia and am currently in love with Cloudveil clothing. Haven't found a good rainwear jacket that's packable.

We are doing Candisc again this year and I'm hoping for good weather.

[Tri Girl]

I have a Columbia jacket. Got it at an outdoor store and I use it for hiking as well as cycling. It's not cycling specific, but it's very waterproof and pretty warm-ish. It has a hood, which is nice to keep the rain off my neck when I put it on under my helmet. It's pink, and probably not the "coolest" of cycling wear, but when it rains, I don't care how cool I look- I only care about being dry.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you wear some thin merino wool base layers and also pack a lightweight waterproof windbreaker, the wool will keep you cooler and ventilated when it's hot, and it will keep you warmer and dryer under the windbreaker when it's cool or wet. Wool does double duty- it breathes, it regulates your temperature nicely, it's light to pack, drys quickly, and it doesn't stink after one sweaty wearing like polyester does.
SmartWool and Ibex are two good brands of lightweight merino apparel.
A thin merino base layer under a lightweight water resistant windbreaker will be more versatile than lugging a heavy sweaty jacket around on your bike.
Also, you might want to consider a very bright 'screaming' yellow windbreaker so cars can see you better. Bright yellow windbreakers are common among biking apparel companies.

[Kathi]

I'm looking at this Cloudveil jacket. Not cycling specific but website says its packable, breathable, wind and water resistant.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...For-Women.html

I tried on the Cloudveil Stash Creek Hooded jacket and loved it. Looks like it's lighter weight than the Cache Creek jacket. The best price I've found on the Stash Creek jacket is 25% off and it's chocolate brown. If manufacturer's make clothing for bicycling why don't they make bright colors?

Also just found this one, not sure the difference but lighter in weight?

http://www.cloudveilgear.com/index.p...roducts_id=119

[Bumblebee]

Thanks for the tips!!!!!!! I'll look around and see what I can come up with.