Spring is Coming: rain planning thread
#26
Banned
but my hands stay dry in non waterproof gloves under a rain cape like that..
mine is even longer .. front draping over the bars, in front and the saddle in back ....
discontinued, Grundens 'Nordan' made for Rivendale bike, sales not sufficiently brisk, over past 6 years, so they won't re order another batch.
I wont need another, unlike fancy high tech stuff, this will be around and working, for decades..
..
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-12-18 at 03:47 PM.
#27
Sophomoric Member
Cycling kit has always put rider visibility as well as comfort, form and function into basic designs for decades, with modern fabrics some eye-popping kit for any weather is readily available at reasonable prices. A glance at the Commuting, Touring or Long Distance sub-forums where BF members ride in a variety of weather conditions self-supported for considerable distances/time will show how it's done with practical well designed kit. No need to try to re-invent the wheel in LCF-style, this stuff has been well sorted for the last century or so already.
-Bandera
-Bandera
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#28
~>~
What did we learn over the many years when it started raining while out riding our bikes, if you do that sort of thing?
1) You will get wet, stay that way, get out of the rain or don appropriate rain kit and continue.
B) Your "stuff" will get wet, let it, get out of the rain or fit water resistant luggage and continue.
III) Your bike will get wet, the tires will fling a toxic mixture of water, automotive drippings, animal waste and herbicides upon you. Get soaked in wet filth or fit full fenders.
4) Wet roads reduce traction, ride accordingly.
e) Rain reduces visibility for all road users, ride accordingly and improve conspicuity.
Proceed, riding-in-rain-action pic attached.
Does LCF actually need a Primer on the basics of operating a bicycle as a mode of transportation in non-Bluebird weather? The BF sub-forum Commuting is dedicated to the practical considerations of getting here/there on time in a variety of weather conditions on a bicycle. With considerable practical experience, hardware reviews and 44,620 posts on the subject to peruse Commuting is a resource . Take a read, post a question on the subject of "Rain" and participate in the threads. Or pretend that operation of a bicycle in LCF-mode is somehow Unique, one or the other.
That being said a thread on any bicycle use at all however basic is a welcome surprise in LCF-land.
-Bandera
1) You will get wet, stay that way, get out of the rain or don appropriate rain kit and continue.
B) Your "stuff" will get wet, let it, get out of the rain or fit water resistant luggage and continue.
III) Your bike will get wet, the tires will fling a toxic mixture of water, automotive drippings, animal waste and herbicides upon you. Get soaked in wet filth or fit full fenders.
4) Wet roads reduce traction, ride accordingly.
e) Rain reduces visibility for all road users, ride accordingly and improve conspicuity.
Proceed, riding-in-rain-action pic attached.
Does LCF actually need a Primer on the basics of operating a bicycle as a mode of transportation in non-Bluebird weather? The BF sub-forum Commuting is dedicated to the practical considerations of getting here/there on time in a variety of weather conditions on a bicycle. With considerable practical experience, hardware reviews and 44,620 posts on the subject to peruse Commuting is a resource . Take a read, post a question on the subject of "Rain" and participate in the threads. Or pretend that operation of a bicycle in LCF-mode is somehow Unique, one or the other.
That being said a thread on any bicycle use at all however basic is a welcome surprise in LCF-land.
-Bandera
Last edited by Bandera; 02-12-18 at 07:19 AM.
#29
~>~
LCF-ers show some pics of Your bikes set-up for riding in the wet.
My Town Bike has seen lots of weather in the last 44 years of continuous service, the Winter/Wet bike is set-up like a traditional Audax machine for the long winter base-miles required for endurance in the Sport of Cycling. Both have a rain jacket stashed in the 'boot' just in case. Note how the '74 and '11 machines are both set-up like a 1935 British club machine for good reasons. This riding a bicycle in less than perfect conditions thing has been well thought out for a very long time.
-Bandera
My Town Bike has seen lots of weather in the last 44 years of continuous service, the Winter/Wet bike is set-up like a traditional Audax machine for the long winter base-miles required for endurance in the Sport of Cycling. Both have a rain jacket stashed in the 'boot' just in case. Note how the '74 and '11 machines are both set-up like a 1935 British club machine for good reasons. This riding a bicycle in less than perfect conditions thing has been well thought out for a very long time.
-Bandera
#30
Senior Member
Because rain can happen at any time in Tasmania I bought a good quality comfortable rain jacket. At something in the neighbourhood of $200, it is a good investment.
Edit: This one: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5034-3...olution-Jacket ... $189 plus shipping! A bargain! I got it in yellow.
I do have rain tights with articulated knees as well ... something very much like these, or perhaps these are the ones:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5033-251/Adanac-Tights I picked them up on sale for about $60 and love them.
I also have mudguards, helmet cover, and good quality rain gloves I picked up on sale for only about $50. Oh and several options for keeping my feet warm. They'll never be completely dry in rain but at least they'll be relatively warm.
With as much rain riding as we do it is all worth it.
Edit: This one: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5034-3...olution-Jacket ... $189 plus shipping! A bargain! I got it in yellow.
I do have rain tights with articulated knees as well ... something very much like these, or perhaps these are the ones:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5033-251/Adanac-Tights I picked them up on sale for about $60 and love them.
I also have mudguards, helmet cover, and good quality rain gloves I picked up on sale for only about $50. Oh and several options for keeping my feet warm. They'll never be completely dry in rain but at least they'll be relatively warm.
With as much rain riding as we do it is all worth it.
I have an Outdoor Research Furio for rain riding.
#31
Prefers Cicero
#32
~>~
And so, where's that informative pic of your wet weather equipped bike and some rain kit recommendations like:
Invest in a proper British cycling cape like those from Carradice
#33
Prefers Cicero
Lots of pics of my bikes on BF. I have a J&G cape. I like the cowl neck and the extra length, but the floppy thumb loops work poorly. One time I forgot to tie the waist string, and wasn't looped into the thumb loops, and as I rode through the U of Toronto campus a strong updraft blew the whole cape up like an inverted umbrella, totally blocking my view. Note to thread readers: do not make that mistake.
Last edited by cooker; 02-06-18 at 06:23 AM.
#34
Sophomoric Member
Lots of pics of my bikes on BF. I have a J&G cape. I like the cowl neck and the extra length, but the floppy thumb loops work poorly. One time I forgot to tie the waste string, and wasn't looped into the thumb loops, and as I rode through the U of Toronto campus a strong updraft blew the whole cape up like an inverted umbrella, totally blocking my view. Note to thread readers: do not make that mistake.
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#35
Prefers Cicero
#36
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#37
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used to commute so I used to ride in the rain. now I prefer foul weather of the frozen sort. the big challenge I remember used to be the rear rack trunk bag. I eventually resorted to using a big ugly thick plastic compactor bag (out of desperation). I just put the whole trunk in the bag, then lashed it to the rack. albeit this was for the torrential downpours. now for wet sloppy rides I use a simple rain cover. of course combined with the obligatory "waterproof" trunk & fenders
& having used barmitts this fall & winter, I'll bet they would be helpful in heavy rain as well. but they might need a drain hole in the bottom?
this trunk can actually be used as a beer cooler
& having used barmitts this fall & winter, I'll bet they would be helpful in heavy rain as well. but they might need a drain hole in the bottom?
this trunk can actually be used as a beer cooler
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Spring is Coming: rain planning thread
FYA, last year I replied to this thread, it's finally raining,who's gonna go play (see picture below)
used to commute so I used to ride in the rain. now I prefer foul weather of the frozen sort. the big challenge I remember used to be the rear rack trunk bag. I eventually resorted to using a big ugly thick plastic compactor bag (out of desperation).
I just put the whole trunk in the bag, then lashed it to the rack. albeit this was for the torrential downpours. now for wet sloppy rides I use a simple rain cover. of course combined with the obligatory "waterproof" trunk & fenders
I just put the whole trunk in the bag, then lashed it to the rack. albeit this was for the torrential downpours. now for wet sloppy rides I use a simple rain cover. of course combined with the obligatory "waterproof" trunk & fenders
is anyone out riding in the rain just for fun?
I didn’t ride my 14 mile one way commute to work for fun this morning, about 10 miles in heavy rain, but it was the shakedown cruise for my new beater (but quality) Specialized Diverge Elite road bike. Right now the big fan is drying my clothes for the ride home in about four hours.
I spare the carbon fiber bike from wet roads to keep it clean. I also have aheavy duty mountain bike I now reserve for heavy-duty-studded-tire-winter riding. The Elite rides almost as nicely as my Carbon Fiber.
On one rain-riding thread, someone described road spray as a mixture of grease,road grime and liquefied road kill...you call that fun?
I spare the carbon fiber bike from wet roads to keep it clean. I also have aheavy duty mountain bike I now reserve for heavy-duty-studded-tire-winter riding. The Elite rides almost as nicely as my Carbon Fiber.
On one rain-riding thread, someone described road spray as a mixture of grease,road grime and liquefied road kill...you call that fun?
well done sir! nice setup! why cover the rack trunk with plastic inside? re: road spray - you reminded me that on my old commute to W Newton there was a section at the 117 overpass over 128 where the sewer overflow smelled like a septic tank. I didn't realize what I was riding through until it was too late. needless to say, that was the end of sips from the water bottle
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-06-18 at 10:09 AM.
#39
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re: road spray - you reminded me that on my old commute to W Newton there was a section at the 117 overpass over 128 where the sewer overflow smelled like a septic tank. I didn't realize what I was riding through until it was too late. needless to say, that was the end of sips from the water bottle
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I remember that thread. maybe I was confused thinking your plastic bag was inside your trunk?
EDIT oh wait, no I think I was asking why cover your trunk with the plastic while everything is drying, as opposed to hanging the plastic bag elsewhere, so the trunk could dry out
EDIT oh wait, no I think I was asking why cover your trunk with the plastic while everything is drying, as opposed to hanging the plastic bag elsewhere, so the trunk could dry out
#42
Senior Member
#43
Sophomoric Member
set-up. The fan is another item not often thought of as rain equipment, but it really is. Likewise a drying rack or clothesline for the wet stuff. Unless you have everything duplicated, you usually need to wear the same gear less than 24 hours later, if it's still raining.
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#44
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set-up. The fan is another item not often thought of as rain equipment, but it really is. Likewise a drying rack or clothesline for the wet stuff. Unless you have everything duplicated, you usually need to wear the same gear less than 24 hours later, if it's still raining.
+1 for fans.
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As spring approaches in the northern hemisphere of Earth, you may be contemplating the issue of rain and how you will deal with it car-free. What gear, techniques, and curses/blessings will you utilize to deal with rain? Are you sticking with tried-and-true methods or considering new innovations? What tech/gear would you like to see developed and/or popularized so that it is available at an affordable price in local stores?
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#46
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I wouldn't be so territorial as to consider it "my part of the world," but when it rains, I generally use a poncho. I've considered getting a rain suit with pants, but that might be too hot. I wear shoes that don't absorb water, and I squeeze out my socks if they get soaked. I carry clothes to work and change when I get there, so I use a strong, waterproof bag to carry them. Thick garbage bags are good because you can throw them away and replace them cheaply when they start to wear out. I like good waterproof gear, but it irritates me when it starts to wear out after it cost so much.
#47
~>~
The patina of use on equipment is a badge of honor, if not a fashion statement.
-Bandera
#48
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I have been using the same Cannondale panniers since 1989. I have a couple other sets, and I have had to pretty much completely rebuild the Cannondales ... but I love them. Even when they really showed their age .... after 15 years of daily use ... they still worked fine. When the zippers busted I attached velcro tabs and also bungeed them shut. They never let me down. I rebuilt them because I wanted to.
For a tree-lover, I am surprised you are so cavalier with your treatment of petroleum products.
Plastic bags are a potential part of the picture, but they are not at all durable ... unless protected. I can use the panniers to hold the plastic bags and the bags last a long, long time.
My latest solution is to buy lightweight dry-bags---more reliable waterproofing, much more durable, and inside the panniers they should last past the end of my life. I am not a fan of disposable ... but it is built into modern life, and if you give trash bags one more use than they would have gotten, that is one step forward.
Plastic bags are a potential part of the picture, but they are not at all durable ... unless protected. I can use the panniers to hold the plastic bags and the bags last a long, long time.
My latest solution is to buy lightweight dry-bags---more reliable waterproofing, much more durable, and inside the panniers they should last past the end of my life. I am not a fan of disposable ... but it is built into modern life, and if you give trash bags one more use than they would have gotten, that is one step forward.
#49
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I'm not concerned with making a fashion statement. I just don't want to spend a lot on rain gear and have the waterproof coating wear off. I have the same concern with tarps, which can be very expensive for ultra light weight models, which I would like to experiment with - but which I'm afraid will wear out after being packed and unpacked dry and damp for a long time. So I think it's better to just get a basic inexpensive poncho, tarp, etc. and replace it with a new one when it wears out. I would like things that last longer, but I just don't trust the more expensive items because I don't believe that people are really keeping them long enough and using them ruggedly enough to really test them. Also, I tend to trust the testimonials of expensive merchandise less because I figure there's that much more money in lying about how good the product is and suppressing criticism of it.
#50
Prefers Cicero
I'm not concerned with making a fashion statement. I just don't want to spend a lot on rain gear and have the waterproof coating wear off. I have the same concern with tarps, which can be very expensive for ultra light weight models, which I would like to experiment with - but which I'm afraid will wear out after being packed and unpacked dry and damp for a long time. So I think it's better to just get a basic inexpensive poncho, tarp, etc. and replace it with a new one when it wears out. I would like things that last longer, but I just don't trust the more expensive items because I don't believe that people are really keeping them long enough and using them ruggedly enough to really test them. Also, I tend to trust the testimonials of expensive merchandise less because I figure there's that much more money in lying about how good the product is and suppressing criticism of it.