How to handle rain on the road
10-06-23, 01:59 PM
#51
Word.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Rural New England
Posts: 232
Bikes: Surly Disc Trucker, Orbea Oiz XCountry Bike, Specialized Roubaix, Borealis Echo Fat Bike for Winter, many others out in the barn.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Liked 99 Times
in
51 Posts
I think fenders are as important as an anything if you're ever going to ride where it might rain. and not just during the rain, but afterward when the road is still wet. It's a good feeling being able to be out when road surfaces are wet, or there are puddles and you don't have to worry about staying dry.
I always add some type of flap to the front fender that just about touches the ground. It keeps the spray off the cranks and off my toes.
As for wearing rain gear. I don;t bother. I just ride wet. The one downside, though is getting my shoes wet. I tour with SPD shoes that can take a couple days to dry. Some times I'll pack those away and pedal in camp shoes. I have dual-sided pedals so I can do that.
I always add some type of flap to the front fender that just about touches the ground. It keeps the spray off the cranks and off my toes.
As for wearing rain gear. I don;t bother. I just ride wet. The one downside, though is getting my shoes wet. I tour with SPD shoes that can take a couple days to dry. Some times I'll pack those away and pedal in camp shoes. I have dual-sided pedals so I can do that.
10-06-23, 03:02 PM
#52
Senior Member
I think fenders are as important as an anything if you're ever going to ride where it might rain. and not just during the rain, but afterward when the road is still wet. It's a good feeling being able to be out when road surfaces are wet, or there are puddles and you don't have to worry about staying dry.
I always add some type of flap to the front fender that just about touches the ground. It keeps the spray off the cranks and off my toes.
As for wearing rain gear. I don;t bother. I just ride wet. The one downside, though is getting my shoes wet. I tour with SPD shoes that can take a couple days to dry. Some times I'll pack those away and pedal in camp shoes. I have dual-sided pedals so I can do that.
I always add some type of flap to the front fender that just about touches the ground. It keeps the spray off the cranks and off my toes.
As for wearing rain gear. I don;t bother. I just ride wet. The one downside, though is getting my shoes wet. I tour with SPD shoes that can take a couple days to dry. Some times I'll pack those away and pedal in camp shoes. I have dual-sided pedals so I can do that.
One of my favorite long gone pieces of gear was my kayak touring jacket. Something that is meant to keep you dry while paddling will certainly keep you dry while riding in the rain. For my feet I went with waterproof socks and let the shoes fend for themselves.
10-06-23, 03:12 PM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,246
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18420 Post(s)
Liked 15,564 Times
in
7,333 Posts
10-06-23, 03:21 PM
#54
Word.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Rural New England
Posts: 232
Bikes: Surly Disc Trucker, Orbea Oiz XCountry Bike, Specialized Roubaix, Borealis Echo Fat Bike for Winter, many others out in the barn.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Liked 99 Times
in
51 Posts
I take it you haven't been on a multi day trip where if you get wet, you' stay wet?
One of my favorite long gone pieces of gear was my kayak touring jacket. Something that is meant to keep you dry while paddling will certainly keep you dry while riding in the rain. For my feet I went with waterproof socks and let the shoes fend for themselves.
One of my favorite long gone pieces of gear was my kayak touring jacket. Something that is meant to keep you dry while paddling will certainly keep you dry while riding in the rain. For my feet I went with waterproof socks and let the shoes fend for themselves.
10-06-23, 06:29 PM
#55
Junior Member
Thread Starter
There's a big difference between comfort and survival. My complete rain shell (cape, pants, shoe covers, helmet cover, nitrile gloves) weighs 2 lbs (880 g). This is to be worn on top of whatever thickness is necessary underneath to stay warm in cold weather. Trying to pare down my total weight, I've come to the conclusion I won't bring my rain shell with me unless rain with cold weather is possible. Otherwise I'll put my spd shoes in a bag, pedal in rubber sandals and get wet. I also replaced my cotton t-shirts with 100% polyester so they'll have a chance to dry out.
10-06-23, 07:26 PM
#56
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 387
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2022 Kona Dew+
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 146 Times
in
107 Posts
11-18-23, 08:25 AM
#57
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 111
Bikes: Motobecane Grand Record, Motobecane Super Mirage (3x5 speeds), Motobecane Mirage, Atala (unknown model), Peugeot mixte frame Tourist and Schwinn Sport. A bunch more kids bikes. Most recently a Trek Verve One, tricked up for serious touring.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times
in
29 Posts
I take it you haven't been on a multi day trip where if you get wet, you' stay wet?
One of my favorite long gone pieces of gear was my kayak touring jacket. Something that is meant to keep you dry while paddling will certainly keep you dry while riding in the rain. For my feet I went with waterproof socks and let the shoes fend for themselves.
I love my kayaking jacket too but it definitely does NOT breathe. My bike jacket is adequate for rain.
One of my favorite long gone pieces of gear was my kayak touring jacket. Something that is meant to keep you dry while paddling will certainly keep you dry while riding in the rain. For my feet I went with waterproof socks and let the shoes fend for themselves.
I love my kayaking jacket too but it definitely does NOT breathe. My bike jacket is adequate for rain.
11-18-23, 09:08 AM
#58
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: "Driftless" WI
Posts: 387
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2022 Kona Dew+
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 146 Times
in
107 Posts
I bought one a year or so back for some planned cool-weather sailing activities that never actually panned out. Been thinking maybe I'll ask if I can try it out at the local indoor lap pool sometime, see if it improves my buoyancy any.
11-19-23, 09:04 AM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 11,208
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3461 Post(s)
Liked 1,467 Times
in
1,144 Posts
I can't imagine wearing a wet suit on a bike. I disliked wetsuits for kayaking in cold water (Lake Superior) enough that I eventually bought a Goretex dry suit.
You would sweat in a wet suit, so what good would it be? You would be wet from sweat even when it is not raining.
You would sweat in a wet suit, so what good would it be? You would be wet from sweat even when it is not raining.
Last edited by Tourist in MSN; 11-28-23 at 01:52 PM.
11-19-23, 09:21 AM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Spain
Posts: 1,070
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 277 Post(s)
Liked 493 Times
in
238 Posts
One rain jacket. If it rains too much, visit the next restaurant or bar and drink a bottle of wine. Preferible a Ribera de Duero.
Likes For str:
11-19-23, 01:26 PM
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,246
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18420 Post(s)
Liked 15,564 Times
in
7,333 Posts
Likes For indyfabz:
11-19-23, 06:11 PM
#62
Senior Member
Doug64: I haven’t done long distance touring yet but thinking to start in near future. I see beautiful photos of fleeting moments (as in two of your photos) and feel inspired but then the reality of clammy cold rain that usually lasts days, if not weeks in Washington state, and I become more realistic - and the answer becomes, no thank you, I’ll stay at home until rain stops or pick a different place to go bicycling. 😉
Next year when begin touring, I do have to pick my routes sensibly, based on my own limitations. I would target for only about 50 miles a day. I can do better, may be 65 mikes but I would much rather keep it comfortable. I don’t imagine it will be easy to find good and safe camping spots every 50 or 60 miles. We shall see…
Our area does become very cold in winters, some times getting 10 degree Fahrenheit below zero when I stop bicycling. But for short runs on the top of lakes, it can be fun. I am not adventurous enough to try riding on frozen lakes before seeing cars go on them and most importantly, come back.
Next year when begin touring, I do have to pick my routes sensibly, based on my own limitations. I would target for only about 50 miles a day. I can do better, may be 65 mikes but I would much rather keep it comfortable. I don’t imagine it will be easy to find good and safe camping spots every 50 or 60 miles. We shall see…
Our area does become very cold in winters, some times getting 10 degree Fahrenheit below zero when I stop bicycling. But for short runs on the top of lakes, it can be fun. I am not adventurous enough to try riding on frozen lakes before seeing cars go on them and most importantly, come back.
11-26-23, 04:44 PM
#63
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 50
Bikes: Thorn Nomad, Haibike XDuro Trekking
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
9 Posts
It's a no win situation
You may not get wet from the rain if you put rain gear on, but you certainly will get wet from your own sweat in short order. I learned the purpose of rain gear is NOT to keep you dry, but to keep you warm. BTW no rain gear is really "breathable" - you're going to get wet either from the rain or your sweat. If it is going to rain or is already raining ...consider taking a zero day and staying, preferably, inside.
11-26-23, 04:48 PM
#64
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ohio, USA
Posts: 50
Bikes: Thorn Nomad, Haibike XDuro Trekking
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times
in
9 Posts
Agree completely.. I use sandals for touring and tossed my cycling shoes away a few years ago. When its cold I add a sock liner and waterproof socks.
11-26-23, 06:34 PM
#65
Senior Member
I don’t agree. Top quality rain gear breathes a LOT better than mediocre stuff especially if you keep it clean. I have a Showers Pass century jacket that has a giant overlapping vent on the back and it both breathes very well and it is quite waterproof.
I am clearly soaked riding in the rain without rain gear but I’m sort of normal sweaty riding in my rain gear. Big difference and I’d rather not be soaking wet and hypothermic. Rain gear is like almost anything else, you get what you pay for.
I am clearly soaked riding in the rain without rain gear but I’m sort of normal sweaty riding in my rain gear. Big difference and I’d rather not be soaking wet and hypothermic. Rain gear is like almost anything else, you get what you pay for.
11-28-23, 01:30 PM
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1182 Post(s)
Liked 833 Times
in
435 Posts
Yesterday I rode with a long underwear top, fleece top, insulated vest, and my rain jacket: and I did not sweat. The temperature was in the mid 30°F. A couple days ago it was cool and started raining toward the end of our ride. I was not warm and did not sweat even wearing my rain jacket. A good rain jacket is worth the price.
When it was new 20+ years ago, the faded outside back of my rain jacket was bright yellow like the front and inside trim is today. It is the same jacket I wore yesterday, and it is still breathing and keeping me dry after all these years. However, I use a newer jacket on tours.
When it was new 20+ years ago, the faded outside back of my rain jacket was bright yellow like the front and inside trim is today. It is the same jacket I wore yesterday, and it is still breathing and keeping me dry after all these years. However, I use a newer jacket on tours.
Last edited by Doug64; 11-28-23 at 11:11 PM.
Likes For Doug64:
12-02-23, 01:32 AM
#67
Member
Likes For MAK:
12-05-23, 03:21 AM
#68
Member
I have often taken full days off due to rain. But that is on trips where I have either an open end on the schedule or where I could adjust my route to make up lost time.
On my Canadian Maritimes trip I took advantage of the wifi on the ferry to PEI, I saw five consecutive days of rain in the forecast. I chucked my plans, made reservations to spend several nights in the hostel in Charlottetown, PEI. It was really nice to have a dry indoor place to sleep during part of those five days of rain. I was only there for two days and three nights, but that made the rain before and after less daunting.
I usually tour in colder regions, thus use rain pants, rain jacket, shoe covers, rain cover for helmet, etc. Full finger gloves can be really nice to have when it is in the 40s (F) and raining. I like yellow lenses on my glasses in rain.
In the photo below, if I recall correctly on this day it was warm enough that I only used a helmet rain cover and rain jacket, no rain pants. Had several days of rain. On the first dry day after those rain days, I wore my campsite shoes on the bike and gave my cycle shoes a chance to rest and air out.
On my Canadian Maritimes trip I took advantage of the wifi on the ferry to PEI, I saw five consecutive days of rain in the forecast. I chucked my plans, made reservations to spend several nights in the hostel in Charlottetown, PEI. It was really nice to have a dry indoor place to sleep during part of those five days of rain. I was only there for two days and three nights, but that made the rain before and after less daunting.
I usually tour in colder regions, thus use rain pants, rain jacket, shoe covers, rain cover for helmet, etc. Full finger gloves can be really nice to have when it is in the 40s (F) and raining. I like yellow lenses on my glasses in rain.
In the photo below, if I recall correctly on this day it was warm enough that I only used a helmet rain cover and rain jacket, no rain pants. Had several days of rain. On the first dry day after those rain days, I wore my campsite shoes on the bike and gave my cycle shoes a chance to rest and air out.
