I can't stand the rain ...

[GrumpyGregry]

Putting on wet kit isn't particularly pleasant, but within minutes you won't really notice the dampness. Or maybe you could just take a 2nd kit to wear on the way home? You'll find that the more you ride in 'unpleasant' weather the less you'll notice it.

I think that attitude shift will be critical. Simply don't have a choice now. Route home on bike doesn't offer any rail-bail option once started.

 

[briantrumpet]

You'll find that the more you ride in 'unpleasant' weather the less you'll notice it.

I made the calculation that the cost of buying decent waterproofs (jacket/trousers/overshoes) was probably less than a single visit to the garage with the car. Now I actually rather enjoy a wet commute, sailing past all those poor sods trapped inside steamy tin boxes.

 

[palinurus]

Although I ride in any conditions I don't like getting a soaking on the way to work, and I don't have anywhere good to dry stuff (although if there's a spare incubator in the lab...)

I like to keep spare shorts and legwarmers at work, perhaps an old baselayer. At least if my stuff doesn't dry I don't need to put soggy stuff on. If you have plenty of cycling clothes then this is easy and inexpensive.

Another tip- for those days where your stuff is literally wringing wet: wring your stuff out as usual, then wrap in a towel, stand on one end of the towel and twist until you can't twist no more. It gets a fair bit more of the water out and you stand a better chance of getting it dry.

I stick my gloves / beanie / buff / cap etc. behind my laptop dock- the heat from the PC is enough to dry them pretty quick.

I like the Velomobile suggestion- I've though of it before but I'd never have got it up the stairs- however the flat I live in now has a patio garden.

Hmmm...

 

[BlackPanther]

I like the Velomobile suggestion- I've though of it before but I'd never have got it up the stairs- however the flat I live in now has a patio garden.

Hmmm...

Yes, I'd have one....if only I had 6 or 7 grand to spare. Even longer Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[mattsr]

I actually enjoy cycling in the rain; there's something strangely fun about it! (Or maybe I'm just a bit weird.. )

Anyway, I always find it worse in contemplation than in reality- many's the time I've watched the rain pouring down and thought how awful the commute will be- but once I'm out in it, it's never as bad as it looks! In really heavy rain, I wear waterproof overtrousers, overshoes, jacket and gloves; the helmet keeps my bonce and face pretty well protected. In that gear, I generally stay dry. The SPDs get a bit wet sometimes but they've usually dried by the time I need to come home. And mudguards are a must. If I can't be bothered putting on all the gear for the return journey, I just get wet and hop straight into a dressing gown when I get in.

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." -- Sir Rannulph Fiennes