Kit for wet weather commuting, mixed modal style?

[Time Waster]

Does anyone commute via train and shortish bike ride in work clothes rather than the direct from home style in cycling kit with change of clothes? What do you wear in truly dreich weather?

My system is my 5 or 6 year old Paramo adventure lite Velez waterproof for lesser rain or drizzle showers. I put on Berghaus overtrousers on heavier rain when the rain is heavy enough to wet me out in the ten minutes max ride to the office. In warmer weather when the is a chance of short and drizzly sierra showers then I'll just carry a Montane windshirt to put on and possibly no waterproof trousers.

This used to work but I think I need something new.. Not sure whether to go for hiking jacket that's suitable, such as Paramo standard Velez jacket, or a Rab one. Or I should get a cycling specific one albeit a commuting style one.

Also, I find it hard to get long enough leg over trousers. Are there cycling specific ones? Are they usually longer because of bent knees when cycling? I wear normal work clothes and shoes. Spare socks in the bag if I get wet socks. Usually feet ok but ankle is exposed as the overtrousers lift during cycling.

Finally, overshoes? I used to wear neoprene ones over my cycling shoes (actually trail shoes not cycling ones.. They were a bugger to put on so I don't use. Are there any ones I could wear on normal shoes that are very easy to take off and put on? They seem a good way to cope with the gap.

Anu advice?

 

[wiggydiggy]

I used to.

I had a 2.5 mile ride to the station, I started in full gear, leggings, tops, jackets etc but eventually I worked out just cycling in normal work clothes was best. I have a Carradice saddle bag which with a shoulder strap works really well for just picking the bag off the bike and getting on the train. On days with heavy rain I just ignored it as when I got to the office I'd just change my top.

As this was all pre COVID and WFH I had no laptops or anything like that to carry, I'd fit my daily belongings into a 12ltr Barley Bag.

 

[Punkawallah]

Sounds like you need a rain cape.

 

[mjr]

Sounds like you need a rain cape.

That would be my suggestion, but it depends on the ride. My cape is the second-least aero thing I've ridden in, and your feet are still at risk of drenching because the increasingly wider and heavier cars are increasingly splashy. Great on park routes in town, but difficult on an exposed roadside cycleway.