Bad weather / winter cycling

[notsolazy]

hi all

I'm new to cycling in the bad weather that we have been having over the past few days. I haven't been out in it yet as I've been busy.
I have full body waterproofs and a nice wind proof jacket, but the rain still comes in my helmet vents and I get soaked

What does everyone wear or carry on them for adverse weather / winter cycling (Ill ask this now in the same thread as it will be here soon) as I want to stay as warm and dry as possible. I wont be cycling many miles, just 3 miles to the office and back, general visiting family to save on fuel consumption and getting out there for the joy of cycling.

Thanks in advance

 

[2Loose]

I think that some of the showers we have had recently would make you wet through even if you were in a full set of waterproofs and stood under an umbrella!

If it is warm enough (ie. not November-February) I wear shorts and put my dry clothes & towel in my rucksack to change into then when I arrive at my destination. The exercise keeps me warm enough once on the move.

I find my waterproofs create condensation so my clothes get a little damp underneath, even if it isn't raining, so best to wear quick drying clothing in bad weather andor take a change imho. Waterproof luggage rather than waterproof clothing is more effective for me.

 

[Goffins]

Since it's only wet and not cold I'm going with the less is more approach, with my usual attire that's thin and quick drying.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to wear through winter though.

 

[SimonC]

hi all

I'm new to cycling in the bad weather that we have been having over the past few days. I haven't been out in it yet as I've been busy.
I have full body waterproofs and a nice wind proof jacket, but the rain still comes in my helmet vents and I get soaked

What does everyone wear or carry on them for adverse weather / winter cycling (Ill ask this now in the same thread as it will be here soon) as I want to stay as warm and dry as possible. I wont be cycling many miles, just 3 miles to the office and back, general visiting family to save on fuel consumption and getting out there for the joy of cycling.

Thanks in advance

Dont fancy the full body waterproofs for riding in, even in winter.

Summer time - just a lightweight, packable jacket, and only then if its pouring, otherwise just get wet.

Winter - commute in Endura winter trousers and Endura hi-vis winter jacket, training in thermal top (not waterproof) and thermal lycra tights

 

[Joe24]

Im summer or if its warm i just wear my normal clothes, if its abit cool then ill put a thin waterproof jacket on.
I prefere to not wear a waterproof jacket though.

I wouldnt bother with waterproofs, you will end up just getting wet through sweat anyway.

In winter, they arent bad. But wont keep you properly dry.
Man up, only abit of water. Get moving faster if your cold.

Your on a bike, out in the weather, not sat in a car or a house. Accept your going to get wet, one way or another(sweat in waterproofs)

Bit of rain wont hurt, just change when you get to where you want to be.

 

[Jane Smart]

On my 40 mile cycle yesterday ( ahem did I mention I did 40 miles ) my feet got soaked and really cold, as it rained almost the whole way. I had trainers on, I have still not got round to buying cycling shoes yet. Do you get cycling shoes that are kind of waterproof?

 

[2Loose]

Ooh, forgot;


"When you cycle a daily ten mile journey, statistics say you will only have rain once in every one hundred trips. That is three to four trips a year on a daily basis."

http://www.bikeforall.net/content/biking_for_leisure.php?linkOut=429



Jane: Nope, best bet are overshoes...40 miles eh, good going in crappy weather.

 

[Joe24]

On my 40 mile cycle yesterday ( ahem did I mention I did 40 miles ) my feet got soaked and really cold, as it rained almost the whole way. I had trainers on, I have still not got round to buying cycling shoes yet. Do you get cycling shoes that are kind of waterproof?

You get cycling shoes, then overshoes.
These are neopreme overboot things, that work,m unless its very wet and you have alot of water hitting your feet from the front and back wheel.
But if its that wet, you cant really do much, and just have to carry on and be hard.
They also keep you feet warm in the winter.

 

[Banjo]

Since it's only wet and not cold I'm going with the less is more approach, with my usual attire that's thin and quick drying.

I'm still not sure what I'm going to wear through winter though.

Thats exactly what I have been doing,thin shorts T shirt and windproof if cold. if it stops raining for the last 10 minutes of the ride Im dry again.

Will have to have a rethink when winter arrives though.

 

[Jane Smart]

Ooh, forgot;


"When you cycle a daily ten mile journey, statistics say you will only have rain once in every one hundred trips. That is three to four trips a year on a daily basis."

http://www.bikeforall.net/content/biking_for_leisure.php?linkOut=429



Jane: Nope, best bet are overshoes...40 miles eh, good going in crappy weather.

Overshoes? lol sorry not heard of them.

Thanks it was tough, head wind on the way back too, worse headwind I have had since I started cycling, but there will be worse to come I know

 

[Joe24]

Overshoes!!!!

 

[Jane Smart]

Overshoes!!!!

You wee honey thank you

 

[SimonC]

Definitely mudguards on winter bike also, keeps loads of water off feet/legs/ass.

Not in summer on best bike tho

 

[CopperBrompton]

eVent waterproofs keep you dry inside as well as out:
http://www.benlovejoy.com/cycle/kit/waterproofs/

 

[notsolazy]

Thanks for all of the comments. I know im going to get wet, just wanting suggestions to keep dry/dryer. I think mudguards are a good idea though