First commute in bad weather

[beanzontoast]

I used to be an all weather commuter, but since I've grown soft(er) if I know it's going to be bucketing down all day, I'll take the bus. If I'm lucky I will get a lift home, so it doesn't really cost too much and I have the advantage of not having to sort out dirty, wet kit and a dirty, wet bike at the end of a full day's work.

Ice means no cycling for me, but thankfully the summer weather has not yet deteriorated to the point where in the midlands at least this is much of a worry at this time of the year.

 

[ink]

hi guys!

this is my first post on this forum and i didn't want to start a new thread… besides, my question is pretty much related to this topic anyway.

i started commuting in to work recently, last week was my first full week of cycling to work, so i’m a total noob.

anyway, i did quite a bit of reading beforehand and my housemates cycle so i was quite well prepared for yesterday’s rain as far as kit goes*. on the way home though i noticed lots of people with those poncho-type rain covers. i think i might get one as they can go over any kind of clothing and might pack down a bit more than my current waterproof (which is a bit bulky and probably better suited to slightly colder weather. what do the pro commuters on here think of those ponchos? i mean something like this: http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/assets/0000/9065/motion_poncho.jpg

except i was thinking of getting one that’s a bit more hi-viz – i currently have a hi-viz bib type thing and am a great believer in that sort of thing really improving your chances of not getting mowed down

anyway, if ponchos are not recommended for those days when its pouring down, what is?

thanks!





* if anybody’s interested:

i have a waterproof that i carry around with me and i wear shorts that i change in and out of so i don’t mind if they get soaked. in the winter i’m going to have to get some waterproof over trousers (incidentally, can you guys recommend any? wouldn’t mind getting some breathable ones) and probably some over-shoes too.

 

[kedab]

Had a bloody stone fly up off the back wheels of a car this morning and hit my knuckle! That hurt!

riding in boxing gloves or knights gaunlets is going to be tricky though to be fair - that's just bad luck

 

[Arsen Gere]

Mrs Gere and I cycle year round too. We use the bbc weather forecast as a guide, if the wind is over 20 mph we use public transport. The gusts that can come with that speed can be dangerous.

We also have a thermometer that hangs out the bedroom window, 6 quid on ebay. We use this to gauge how much clothing to wear. It stops us freezing in winter and getting lathered in the summer. Rain is not a problem, overshoes are a good investment in winter.

 

[Arsen Gere]

"what do the pro commuters on here think of those ponchos"

Think of it as a kite.

 

[Arsen Gere]

"i have a waterproof that i carry around with me and i wear shorts that i change in and out of so i don’t mind if they get soaked. in the winter i’m going to have to get some waterproof over trousers (incidentally, can you guys recommend any? wouldn’t mind getting some breathable ones) and probably some over-shoes too."

Sorry I am posting fragments, got the day job to do...

First of all get some mudgaurds if you have not got them already, then the overshoes. In the winter your extremeties are going to feel the cold. Get good gloves or mits, I have some like crab claws. I use ordinary leggings with shorts under neath and one pair of socks. If you put too many socks on it cuts of the circulation to your feet and they get cold.

Put a hat on under your helmet, there are various ones sold to cyclists or a beanie. I do 11 miles each way and I get wet occaisionally, but I don't wear overtrousers. In the winter it seems to be more windy and anything lose makes it harder to get anywhere and you are more likely to get blown about.

I have never found a waterproof jacket that did not get sweaty on the inside, which means you get cold very quickly if you stop in winter.

Hi viz is a good idea. I use two cheap front and rear lights. One fastened to my back pack up high so it can be seen through a car.


On longer riders 4hrs+ your thighs get v cold and can ache. But one of the best rides I did was in clear skies with 6ft of snow on either side of the road where the blower had been through.

I've had a water bottle in my back pocket freeze on me. The rear sprockets can get coated in ice so you end up with one gear too.

I've rarely come off myself, but one of my mates hit a patch of ice in the shade of some trees and nutted a mini coming the other way. He was alright after a few stitches and a lie down.

HTH

 

[ink]

Sorry I am posting fragments, got the day job to do...

no worries - i know the feeling! thanks for the extensive reply.

First of all get some mudgaurds if you have not got them already, then the overshoes. In the winter your extremeties are going to feel the cold. Get good gloves or mits, I have some like crab claws. I use ordinary leggings with shorts under neath and one pair of socks. If you put too many socks on it cuts of the circulation to your feet and they get cold.

Put a hat on under your helmet, there are various ones sold to cyclists or a beanie. I do 11 miles each way and I get wet occaisionally, but I don't wear overtrousers. In the winter it seems to be more windy and anything lose makes it harder to get anywhere and you are more likely to get blown about.

mudguards: check (though in reality, i have a pannier rack that serves as a rear mudguard and will have to sort out a front mudguard at some point)

overshoes: yup - will definitely have to get some

gloves, beanie etc.: thanks for the tips... some sort of fingerless gloves might be an idea even now in the "summer" as the rain yesterday made my hand grips not so grippy.

I have never found a waterproof jacket that did not get sweaty on the inside, which means you get cold very quickly if you stop in winter.

did alright in the waterproof yesterday... and your earlier comment has already made me mentally drop the poncho idea... might just soldier on with wot i got.

Hi viz is a good idea. I use two cheap front and rear lights. One fastened to my back pack up high so it can be seen through a car.

good tip about the high-up light. thanks!

On longer riders 4hrs+ your thighs get v cold and can ache. But one of the best rides I did was in clear skies with 6ft of snow on either side of the road where the blower had been through.

I've had a water bottle in my back pocket freeze on me. The rear sprockets can get coated in ice so you end up with one gear too.

I've rarely come off myself, but one of my mates hit a patch of ice in the shade of some trees and nutted a mini coming the other way. He was alright after a few stitches and a lie down.

none of this is going to be an issue for me. i've already decided to go back to the oyster card in seriously wintery weather (i.e. anything involving frozen water: snow, ice, hail, frost...)

 

[Arsen Gere]

I ride with fingerless gloves, that is track mits all year round. It makes sure I have complete set of really odd tan lines that made my physio laugh.
The serious point about these is that if you come off in any way shape or form, even doing 0 mph the first thing you will do is put your hand out. Taking the skin of the palm of your hand is no joke. It makes tools hard to hold, the keyboard becomes awkard to use and the bars uncomfortable to hold.
It means a little tumble is nothing more than embarrasing rather than a trip to casualty. Been there...

Mrs Gere uses them too. Won't go out without them, her choice.

 

[The One That Got Away]

Rain is only water. OK I've thought of trading in for a canoe the last day or two.

way its the life cycling + kayaking <3

 

[Melonfish]

I got a decent BTwin rain jacket. reminds me of a tux with the long back and short front hehe. however its good an waterproof, well vented and has reflective strips.
still makes me invisibule to all cars on the road mind.
i do need something for my legs, do they do water resistand shorts? i don't like long trousers they just get in the way.
the rain on monday was hammering down round here, happily cycled into work, made it in 20 mins too, fastest yet!
pete