eljayski 

Hello, everyone! Noob here.The search function here on BF provided little help.

I'm riding a MC in Ocean City Md. on May 6 and the forecast calls for 60% chance of rain and temp high 60s; NW wind at 15 gusts to 24mph.

At home, I won't ride in the rain so I don't worry about these things. However, I registered for the Maryland Coast Bike Festival for the chance to ride flat and with lotsa oxygen. I want to do this ride regardless of weather.

Internet searching has me believing that a Gore Tex waterproof jacket is advisable and I plan to buy one.

What about shorts? I've seen conflicting reports as to whether Spandex is waterproof or not.

Finally, suggestions for socks?

Many thanks! eljayski

pdlamb

What's the forecast temperature? Forecast winds? How fast do you anticipate riding the event? How do you normally handle riding in the rain?

You mostly don't want to get hypothermia, so dress for 10-15 degrees cooler than the actual temperature. A jacket will help.

Unless it's close to freezing, you'll get wet, either from sweat or rain. It might be advisable to pre-treat sensitive areas with either chamois cream (which may need to be re-applied after the first couple hours) or petroleum jelly.

If you often wear underwear and shorts or jeans, think again. Those will chafe something awful when they get wet.

indyfabz

Forecast temperature and wind? If it’s going to be warm you might not want to bundle up.

And what kind of possible rain? E.g., Scattered showers?

indyfabz

I didn’t see your post until I had made mine. Great minds…

Also, Ocean City is on the coast. The ocean can moderate the temperature. But if the route goes inland, it can be warmer. Later in te season the difference can be dramatic. Last summer I was camping in S. Jersey. Rode about 13 miles to the shore. Once the sea breeze kicked in, it was in the low 70s on te beach. When I rode back to camp, a bank sign on the mainland read 93 degrees, and it was very humid. I drained my 40 ounce CamelBak and some water from a bottle during the shadeless trip back.

terrymorse 

Shorts aren't waterproof, but they don't hold much water, and they dry quickly.

A thicker sock made with merino wool is nice on a rainy day. I wear DeFeet Woolie Boolie socks.

Waterproof shoe covers will keep you feet fairly dry. I have these Pearl Izumi shoe covers.

Maelochs

Don't dress in the rain. Dress indoors, where it is dry.

Maelochs

More seriously ..... high 60s is pretty chilly for that area at that time of year, but it could happen. As @pdlamb notes, you will be soaked at the end no matter what. Mostly I would try to keep wind off me. Wool is good as an insulator but a terrible wind-block. I would go with something not necessarily waterproof but which would keep some wind off your chest if you had it, or just any light nylon shell.

On another hand (or foot) even with wind-chill from riding you won't be anywhere near painful cold for fingers or toes. If you wear closed shoes, that should be fine, or put half a sandwich bag over just the front ends of your feet if you are really sensitive. Hands should be okay because you can flex them and such.

A wool hat under your helmet would be good ... probably overkill, but it wouldn't hurt. You can always stuff it in a pocket or a bag. If you have a rack or a large bar bag, better. Bring a couple plastic shopping bags in case you need to take off your wet gear and stow it.

Rides like these, often the better prepared you are, the less of the gear you need. Watch it be unseasonably warm and sunny all day .....

bbbean 

Don't bother with the goretex jacket - if it rains you're getting wet. Wear wicking layers you can add or strip off, and add a windproof vest you can put on if you get wet and hit a cool headwind. Merino socks will be a plus. Do add a cycling cap - that will help keep rain out of your eyes.

As long as its not actually cold, the biggest thing about riding in the rain is mindset. If you can simply accept that you're getting wet and go on, it's not bad.

staehpj1

There is some open country there. Expect the possibility of the wind being pretty brutal. High 60s and rain isn't that bad, take a wind breaker or something to keep the wind chill off in case you need it. I often don't in those conditions, but you are better to have it.

MaxKatt

Don't bother with the goretex jacket - if it rains you're getting wet. Wear wicking layers you can add or strip off, and add a windproof vest you can put on if you get wet and hit a cool headwind. Merino socks will be a plus. Do add a cycling cap - that will help keep rain out of your eyes.

As long as its not actually cold, the biggest thing about riding in the rain is mindset. If you can simply accept that you're getting wet and go on, it's not bad.

____________________________________________________________

That's the smartest thing that's ever going to get posted in this thread.

big john

High 60s and a light rain? No big deal. Definitely not Gore-tex jacket weather. If it rains hard enough to fill your shoes and run down your back, well, it sucks but you're going to be wet no matter what you wear. I agree with those who suggested Merino wool socks, a cap under your helmet, and a wind vest. Some people like a light jacket but if you're working you will sweat a ton.

I also like to leave my glasses on as much as possible. And when rim brakes get wet (some discs, too) they can be less effective. Be more careful turning and stay off of painted lines and especially metal surfaces. Some people lower their tire pressure a bit.

blacknbluebikes 

Years ago, maybe 2016 <?>, I decided to ride the Five Boro Bike Tour here in NYC in the rain. It was solid rain, not intermittent showers, and I'd guess maybe 62 degrees with some wind. Everyone else in the squad bailed, but I was a bit more intrepid then and wouldn't punt my entry fee. I solo'd the ride, basically no stops, and had my car parked at the end - so there was motivation to finish. It pretty much poured on me the whole way, and frankly, I was glad to be solo.

In no particular order, here are a few things to consider. Visibility - regular riding glasses are out; they just get covered with water drops, inside and out. While you can go with ski goggles, they tend to fog up, but they might work (treat them w/ fog-x). You may want to wear a swim cap under your helmet, which will definitely keep you warmer, and if you don't like it, it's easy to stash. You may also want a cycling cap or something that fits under your helmet because a visor/brim is very useful for improving visibility. I wore my Goretex Windstopper jacket, and it kept me quite dry, but a little water always runs down the back of the neck. I wore my Mt. Hardware rain pants with a band on the chainwheel-side cuff to keep that clear - and those worked very well (I would definitely do _that_ again). Your hands need extra protection - that was a problem for me - and next time I'll stash some nitrile gloves for liners on my regular riding gloves - the wetness just amplified the wind on my hands to a nasty numbness. Wool socks are required. Finally, you really want to have a towel waiting for you, along with dry clothes. A big, fat, thick towel. "Because a towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have."

Iride01 

If you will be warm enough in just your normal cycling stuff then wear just that. Maybe some arm warmers if you need them. You'll dry out quicker between showers that way.

I also use to use some mountain bike shoes that were mostly mesh fabric and they were very airy for hot weather, but also dried out really quickly after a rain. So if you have a choice of cycling shoes already, consider that. My current shoes aren't so airy, and I fear that when I get in a real soaking rain that I'll feel like I'm pumping water the entire ride.

rumrunn6

fwiw
I try not to experiment w/ anything on long rides. I try to stick with what works for me
any kind of century, is a challenge w/ anything new
so much easier & less expensive to just skip it, if it rains

livedarklions

I've done a solo century in a poncho once. Wasn't terrible, but definitely not fast.

79pmooney

+1 My immediate first thought.

79pmooney

My rain strategy is to dress so that I can be warm enough after everything is completely soaked wearing everything I brought. And enough bags, pockets, etc to stash those clothes when not needed. Long or doubled toestraps work really well for securing gear under saddles and tool bags. A produce bag will keep that jacket dry and a stretchy sock will look cycling proper and keep road dirt from the tire off.

I'm a skinny, low insulation guy. Miscalculating on the "warm enough" can make for a long, not fun day that I shelled out money for (and that I may pay again later for with sickness). I am a big fan of the new thermals. Capilene and the like. (The Patagonia Capilene is expensive, yes, but it is so well made it might still be a go to 30 years from now. And hours or days in it wet is just fine. I wore my first Capilene all the time for 10 of the 12 days we spent sailing across the Atlantic in 1986 in a small boat. We saw two storms. Dry didn't rexist. Still have the top and its still a go to.

john m flores 

My strategy would be similar. Thin wool jersey + Goretex shell (with good ventilation) up top and either wool shorts or lycra + rain pants down below, depending upon your own tolerance for cold. I'd go with a short sleeve wool jersey plus wool arm warmers for maximum flexibility.

You'll want to open up the jacket zips when you can to avoid overheating. A cycling cap under your helmet can keep the water out of your eyes.

If rain pants, add waterproof socks. Otherwise wool socks. Wool is good because it continues to insulate even when wet.

Also look for wool leg warmers.

Not biking, but last year I did The Great Saunter - a ~35 mile walk around the perimeter of Manhattan. Similar early May weather - 50s + rain for 12 hours. My Showers Pass cycling rain jacket over wool did great.

It's hard to stay completely dry from either rain or sweat but wool makes it possible to be a little wet yet warm.

Good luck

wolfchild

Personally I would avoid anything that is waterproof and just make sure that I have enough layers on to keep me warm. If it's really cool I would also carry a very light weight windproof vest or windproof shell just in case.

CAT7RDR

Not gonna read all the posts.
Shower cap or raincover for your helmet and mud flaps or fenders for your bike.
Keep your head dry and your kit clean. Bring a Buff or gaiter that you can use to moderate your core temp if needed.

wolfchild

Full fenders are a must have item for me when riding in the rain. I would never ride a bike without fenders.

Bald Paul

Forget the rain, those wind gusts alone would make me skip the ride. A sudden side gust at 24mph can blow you into the ditch, or worse yet, out into the middle of the road unexpectedly. Now, add in some rain with that? Nah, I'd pass.

Pratt

Dress in layers. A house makes a good outer layer.

jaxgtr

I'd say dress in some shorts and turn the fans on while you ride that on your trainer.... but that might just be me and my total lack of desire to ride in cold rain.

downtube42

I'd be prepared for 10 degrees colder than forecast, no sun, wind, fixing a flat beside the road. The weatherman isn't your friend.

Jersey, arm warmers, leg warmers, shoe covers, shell, helmet cover. Stow the warmers in a pocket just in case. I have Rain Legs, so I'd skip the leg warmers and have those rolled up.

Being cold on the bike sucks. Having to then stop and fix a flat in an exposed location can be a bad scene.