Welcoming the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Awww a fresh new year in our new location to write about all things cycling in Sacramento!!!

The weather has been delightfully boring that will change later this week as the rain comes back with a lot of wind. I have had several people ask me just what do you do about the weather. I must say it brings up several rather interesting points of conversation. How do you keep cloths dry commuting. What do you do about getting wet riding. How do you make sure you are seen on the roads. I have several answers that will help and have helped me over the years.

Let's look at the most important thing. Riding and being seen. I firmly believe that if you are proactive and make sure you have lights that can and will be seen you go a long way to keeping safe. Yes there are those truck drivers who like to make up for their ED and lack of manly confidence by buzzing a cyclist however I will tell you that getting even by getting their plate number or who the company is and hopefully an ID number then reporting it is far more rewarding. I tend to use my night riding lights on a flash mode during day time in cloudy rainy weather so cars will see me approaching. I sport no less than two sometimes 4 red lights on the back end of the bike. Accidents will happen which is why you have to be prepared. Have emergency info in a safe dry place just in case.
Keeping dry. Forget it! You will get wet to some kind of degree. The best rain gear will still get you damp from either rain or your own sweat. It will happen. You need to realize that for the most part you will be needing a shower after your shower of riding in the rain. You will have road grime and dirt that sticks to the bike you and your water bottles. There is only semi dry after riding in the rain. Hopefully your employer provides a shower and place to change if not, don't ride to work in the rain.

Dry clothes is easy really. Trash bags or another type of dry bag, or a weather proof messenger bag or pack. This one piece of equipment is worth it's weight in gold if you use it right and purchase it to allow for weather. I have tried regular backpacks with plastic bags and the like, and I have a messenger pack now. I hope the pack works as advertised. I will let you know and if it does I will name the manufacturer.

The time is coming for the annual winners of the worst of Sacramento for Cycling. I will toss out a few nominees tomorrow night. I will be listing the finalists this weekend and we will have our annual worst of list next Wednesday! Look for it!!
Have of safe ride and look for me. I will be the one in the dark shades:)