Jeany commuters now its raining....

[david1701]

What's everybody wearing?

I could go back to tights and change when I get here but I only have one pair and am not a big fan of riding such a short distance in kit.

Should I buy a pair of waterproof overtrousers? I don't really want to because they look ridiculous and feel pretty horrid too.

Crag hoppersy style outdoor trousers? Just as wet but a bit less minging than wet denim

I want a pair or two of Levi commuters, but they're a bomb and I don't know how much of an improvement, plus I look silly in skinny jeans.

What do you do, all thoughts and facetiousness appreciated

 

[david1701]

Oh and do you think a wiggle order made now will get here in time for me not to have to ride home in this rain

 

[Pat "5mph"]

What do you mean "now it's raining"? Hasn't it been raining constantly since 1873?

 

[Norm]

I use the Craghopper Kiwis which you mention. Yes, they do get just as wet but the critical bit, IMO, is that they dry in a tenth the time that denim takes. I don't change immediately when I get to work and the trousers are usually dried just by sitting indoors wearing them for 30 minutes.

I've also managed to wangle a pair of Karrimor cycling trousers which were, apparently, put together for Police to trial but which weren't selected, for whatever reason. They are fantastic bits of kit, lots of well thought out features and completely waterproof but they look like "normal" trousers, although they sound like waterproofs.

 

[Zakalwe]

Don't spend a packet on jeans for cycling, they really don't last very long before the arse gives out on them. When I did wear jeans years back I found uniqlo to be the most decent, the denim has a bit of stretch in it like the Rapha ones do, except they only cost about 20 quid.

 

[helston90]

Since it's not cold yet stick to the cycling shorts and ignore the rain?

 

[Zakalwe]

Yeah, skin dries quicker than fabric. Denim is much colder when wet than Lycra, and stays wet for much longer.

 

[snorri]

Should I buy a pair of waterproof overtrousers? I don't really want to because they look ridiculous and feel pretty horrid too.

Waterproof trousers look more ridiculous than Lycra? Shock horror.
Waterproof overtrousers are the bees knees, they keep you dry and the extra windproof layer keeps you warm, I seldom go out without them now that autumn has arrived. .

 

[byegad]

A short commute? Why not an old fashioned cycle cape. I rode to school and back with one for years and nothing keeps you dry like a cape.

 

[david1701]

hmmmm dear of you all, intrigued by the cape idea.

Lycra is an option but changing involves a lot of faff that isn't really worth the effort. @Snorri waterproof trousers would need to go over the lyrca as over jeans I would bake so still the changing

@Zackalwe I'll look up uniqlo

@norm, where I work is cold and I've done the gentle drying of wet craghoppers and it wasn't amazing in the spring, in the winter I think I'd get hypothermia

 

[Norm]

@norm, where I work is cold and I've done the gentle drying of wet craghoppers and it wasn't amazing in the spring, in the winter I think I'd get hypothermia

I can see how that might be a problem. Sorry, was just thinking from my own office-based perspective.

 

[subaqua]

i wear craghopper zip off shorts over the lycra shorts as i don't want to scare the females in our office when i walk through after getting changed. they do dry quickly on you, and off you.

that doesn't helpyou mouch though

 

[kyuss]

I just got a pair of Endura Urban Trousers last week. Okay, they're not the cheapest although about average for cycling specific shorts or 3/4, but they are properly brilliant. Smart enough for office wear, really stretchy so comfortable on the bike, and waterproof (this function has yet to be tested in anger, I'm guessing they really mean showerproof). I think they're worth the money. I'll certainly be using mine a lot over the coming months.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Waterproof trousers look more ridiculous than Lycra? Shock horror.
Waterproof overtrousers are the bees knees, they keep you dry and the extra windproof layer keeps you warm, I seldom go out without them now that autumn has arrived. .

I keep them in my rucksack even in the height of summer - you know, Scottish weather ...

 

[andrew_s]

These are what you want