Anyone else caught in the downpour today?

[Monkspeed]

Was out with the better half earlier today, only did a small 5km journey from the train station to home but the heavens opened and we got absolutely soaked to the skin!

We're new to cycling so this was our first soaking, I think my wife got put off a bit but I just thought it was funny. It wasn't too cold thank god so only got wet.

Anyone else get caught in it?

I suppose some of you have commuted in similar weather lots of times?

Luckily we had a waterproof jacket which managed to keep most of our top halves dry, is there shoes or shoe coverings that keep the feet nice and dry also?

And maybe a dumb question but is there waterproof helmets or helmet coverings??

Thanks.

 

[MattHB]

I went out in it on purpose and did 30 miles.

My advice is to concentrate on remaining warm, and forget the dry. Warm padded bib longs and some neoprene shoe coverings (to stop the wind not the water) will heat up like a wetsuit. It's amazingly liberating to not be fighting the weather.

Thin woollen hat on under the helmet, and some mits or lobster gloves to stop the wind.

At the end of the day I don't recon there's any way to stay dry in the rain we had today, but there's a lot you an do to stay warm.

If commuting (which I do 100%) I take dry clothes in a bag in a pannier, and change at work. Either way, I don't fight the wet.

 

[Monkspeed]

Oh forgot to add! I had gloves but they got soaked and my cheapo bikehun pannier surprisingly stayed mostly dry, a little damp at the bottom.

Wasn't it cool how the roads were practically empty, I can see why you went out in it though so good on you

 

[Riding in Circles]

I was but I had a roof on the trike.

 

[2wd]

Me and my Mrs got caught in this today

Couldn't see where we were going and the streets were like rivers

When we finally arrived home I said to my Mrs there's no way were getting out of the car until this has stopped

 

[DCLane]

Yep - that's why I took the MTB for a 22 mile run rather than one of the two road bikes. I arrived home wet but still warm, thanks to a coffee at the only place I found open (McDonald's in Heckmondwike!).

 

[chillyuk]

Yes, I got caught in it nearly 40 miles from home. Fortunately I was in my car, heater on, radio on, the way to handle a downpour. In my defence I was collecting a bike!

 

[daSmirnov]

Really started coming down in here from about 1 onwards. Had my waterproofs of course, but wasn't looking forward to the ride home. Got out of work about quarter to five and by then it had eased off a fair bit. :-)

 

[Norm]

I did a quick 15-miles at lunchtime in fabulous conditions, not far from perfect for cycling, IMO. However, I made the mistake of stopping in to see my old dear on the way home and it was hoooooooning down when I came out of her house to see I'd left my outer layer inside out on the bike.

The ride home from there might only have been about 4 miles but the rain was very cold. Luckily, I usually plan on the conditions taking a turn, and my "just in case" gear was greatly appreciated today.

 

[cyberknight]

Missed it , if i had stayed out another hour i would have been drenched .

 

[Monkspeed]

I thought it was bad the other day but today takes the biscuit, I was really looking forward to going out for a ride today as well.

Still I saw a few peeps braving it this morning on the A12, getting blown all over the place but still ploughing on, good for them!

 

[palinurus]

It was hacking it down when I woke up.

I was lucky though; it was breezy with only medium-heavy rain when I rode in. Shortly after it was proper, near-horizontal, soaky rain.

Yup, you can get waterproof helmet covers.

 

[Canrider]

Madness today up here: the rain came down hard enough to wash the car clean. :O

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Tip:

Don't wear Craghoppers Kiwi Winter Lined Trousers

They are great for walking in winter - lovely and warm. Riding in today's rain however . I could have been called Squarebob SpongePants with the amount of water that they soak up!