The weather outside can influence a lot of people not to ride, BUT for those of use who crave ever chance to ride it can be a challenge that we just want to take. Seriously, there are always risks every time you climb into the saddle of a bike. Limiting those risks makes it safe.
With the 30 mph plus winds and highway speed gusts it was a wonder that anyone would EVEN consider being on a bike yesterday. I was out on mine! Now I know this is where you call bullshit! I have to say I looked at the morning winds and said no way am I going to get on that machine this morning. I did ride home in a few nice heavy down pours but with out the headache of that wind. Rain and wind make life hell on a bike, almost treacherously so. The key to any type of riding is to know your limits, the limits of the bike and simply have the proper equipment! Let's look at what we mean further.
Rain makes you wet (duh) cold ( duh again) and it isn't fun, or is it? I love to rid in rain I find that I am able to enjoy a peaceful ride with no other cycle traffic normally. Keeping yourself as dry as possible is the big key. The worse place to have cold and wet are your hands and feet. I have found the either winter shoes or true wet weather booties are best for the feet. I am riding in Sugi booties currently and even in the heavy rain yesterday my feet were DRY when I got home. That is something I had been fighting the last few years. I tried several other booties and almost gave up until I was recommended these. They have my testing to prove these babies are going to keep you dry (depending on how long you are in the rain) and your feet warm. The next question is hands. I hate having cold hands. It can make me want to not ride. It makes me miserable. I know I am not alone on this and Winter can make it a challenge on what to do to keep warm. I have a mere 15 mile commute one way. That can make you really hate life as your fingers go cold and numb. I have found a pair of gloves from Capo Forma that was wind proof and cold proof down to around the upper 30's. They handled the rain until yesterday and then got soaked. Even with them wash water wet I was warm. The storm was a warm Pacific storm and temps were in the upper 40's to low 50's. I check my thermometer at home and it was 46 when I got there. Hands wet, but WARM! I can live with that. I have been wanting to try a pair of Craft gloves, maybe later in the year.
I know that people think cyclists who commute even in foul weather are nuts. I think people who drive a car to work on a gloriously sunny warm day are nuts. What makes it worth it is the RIDE! The feeling of freedom and enjoyment. Getting out and getting the body moving to make you feel good! I did have my support truck drop me at work yesterday with my bike as I knew I wasn't wanting to risk riding in. I would have no issue with wind getting home! The question is how to keep YOU and your change of clothes and what not DRY in pouring rain! I can address this two ways. The first is the cheap way, the second is the better more enjoyable way but will cost money! I'll break this in two for you and let me start with the most important part. How to keep your stuff DRY!
Rain will find ANY little leak and exploit it. That is the nature of water. I have been looking forward to rain to test my new Messenger Pack from Chrome bags. THIS PRODUCT WORKS! Plain and simple it kept everything dry. My cell phone, Creative Labs mp3 player, clothes, wallet and one of my books were all nice and DRY! The rain was a hard rain for the most part of the ride. One of those gutter clearing down pours you get that lasted a good 5 miles of riding at high tempo. I was getting rooster tail off front and rear wheels from it. The Chrome Pack worked like a dream. It sits so perfectly on my back and it kept my stuff dry! I highly recommend these bags over any other out there! Cost can run you almost 200 bucks on the pack, however their store in S.F is open weekends and you can get a few nice deals there. It is worth every penny! They recommend getting one size bigger than you think you will need. I am glad I did!
How to keep YOU dry. The cheap way involves plastic bags and such. Don't waste you effort and time folks it sucks and makes you hate life! I recommend a good rain slicker. The one I have been using is from REI, and it has limited venting to let heat out. Your sweat will linger a bit. You will be warm and basically dry. I am looking at a couple of other jackets and will let you kow what they come out like. Your legs are going to face water from the sky and road. You need to wear rain pants. I have tried a few, currently on a two year old pair of pants that kept me semi dry, sweat built up and make me damp, but not soaked with rain. Try to get these two as cheap as possible and realize that once water hits high tech fabrics it blocks their ability to transfer evaporation out of them. I am still looking for the perfect set up even after all these years. Good pants and jacket are still better then baggies and trash bags. Trust me on that.
This weekend I will be looking over more data and I will be posting the finalist tomorrow for the categories! Input is always welcome on comments, just remember to be polite. It looks like a great year of cycling ahead for the area with TWO tours coming to town! So the excuse of weather really isn't an option much now right?! Now get out and RIDE!!!! I was lucky enough to do that and get home as the rain started... I love the rain!
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