Singing in the rain.

[MattHB]

I was riding back to the GFs house tonight in the pi**ing rain and caught up with one of my fellow work colleagues.. He was miserable.. He had his normal jacket on, soaked through, 'waterproof trousers' that were sticking to his legs and a carrier bag over his rucksack!
I decided to wear my padded tights as it was warm and not worry about wet clothes, and a waterproof jacket that was not too bad. I struck me that if you try to fight the weather then the only thing you'll be is miserable.
Thing is though, if it's freezing, what are your main bits of no question kit that allow you to coexist in our weather?

 

[brokenflipflop]

I was riding back to the GFs house tonight in the pi**ing rain and caught up with one of my fellow work colleagues.. He was miserable.. He had his normal jacket on, soaked through, 'waterproof trousers' that were sticking to his legs and a carrier bag over his rucksack!
I decided to wear my padded tights as it was warm and not worry about wet clothes, and a waterproof jacket that was not too bad. I struck me that if you try to fight the weather then the only thing you'll be is miserable.
Thing is though, if it's freezing, what are your main bits of no question kit that allow you to coexist in our weather?

A car !

 

[MattHB]

A car !

Cheating!

 

[Glow worm]

Thing is though, if it's freezing, what are your main bits of no question kit that allow you to coexist in our weather?

I can't remember any measurable rain here for months apart from a downpour in late August. We are desperate for rain here and many small streams are bone dry (and rivers running v. low). Amazing really for November

As for kit- I normally go for as little as possible, without getting arrested that is, as less clothing drys quicker and once you are soaked- you can't get any wetter. Cold shouldn't be a problem in the UK unless it's really bitter or you are from Cambridge, where I spotted the first woolly bobble hats and gloves coming out in August- bless'em. Soft as $hite like Geordies in reverse.

 

[Cal]

As long as my feet aren't cold and wet I don't care - as long as I know I'll be able to change clothes.

 

[snorri]

Cold shouldn't be a problem in the UK

Having had a close shave with hypothermia after it started snowing when I fell asleep during a rest on a cycle run I would strongly disagree with that statement.
If not well wrapped up, I always carry sufficient clothing to be prepared for the worst, particularly when cycling any distance from home outside the mid summer period. Perhaps it is also my early sailing experiences, but I take the greatest care not to get wet as this soon leads to feeling cold, and cold and wet just leads to misery. In event of a breakdown, repair efforts will be considerably hampered by feeling cold and wet.

 

[cyberknight]

Having had a close shave with hypothermia after it started snowing when I fell asleep during a rest on a cycle run I would strongly disagree with that statement.
If not well wrapped up, I always carry sufficient clothing to be prepared for the worst, particularly when cycling any distance from home outside the mid summer period. Perhaps it is also my early sailing experiences, but I take the greatest care not to get wet as this soon leads to feeling cold, and cold and wet just leads to misery. In event of a breakdown, repair efforts will be considerably hampered by feeling cold and wet.

+1 .
It was fun last winter when it was - 13 .....

 

[MattHB]

I'm hoping that we might get a mild winter, but with all last years snow that seems unlikely. I'm going to invest in some good quality base layers. Now I have the bug I can't stop just because of the weather!

 

[Toshiba Boy]

Having had a close shave with hypothermia after it started snowing when I fell asleep during a rest on a cycle run I would strongly disagree with that statement.
If not well wrapped up, I always carry sufficient clothing to be prepared for the worst, particularly when cycling any distance from home outside the mid summer period. Perhaps it is also my early sailing experiences, but I take the greatest care not to get wet as this soon leads to feeling cold, and cold and wet just leads to misery. In event of a breakdown, repair efforts will be considerably hampered by feeling cold and wet.

+2

No such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation.

 

[DougieAB]

I rather enjoyed cycling home during a heavy downpour recently. There seemed to be a different 'feel' to the ride that I dont get during a normal commute. Rain and wind, now thats a different matter.

 

[Moodyman]

I rather enjoyed cycling home during a heavy downpour recently. There seemed to be a different 'feel' to the ride that I dont get during a normal commute. Rain and wind, now thats a different matter.

It's even worse if its rain and wind and you've got a virus.

Bloody turture I tell thee.

 

[Glow worm]

Pah -13's a doddle . Each to their own I guess but it takes some serious cold to get me to cover my legs as I find shorts much more comfy and my legs just never feel the cold. My hands are another matter altogether and I'm a real softie as anything below 40f (about 4c?) and I need thick gloves.

 

[MattHB]

It's even worse if its rain and wind and you've got a virus.

Bloody turture I tell thee.

Yeah that's no fun.

 

[fossyant]

I'm hoping for -15 again.

Full thermal windproof kit (top and bib tights) and waterproofs over the top, riding through a snow storm and one foot of snow. One of only a few folk in work, only to be sent home again after a couple of hours, so went the long way home - two more hours in the snow. Heh heh.

 

[IanT]

I love a hack around our local woods in the rain on my MTB. We've had quite a bit of rain on an off just recently, so I've managed to get out a few evenings.

The wet tracks certainly focus the mind and I'm absolutely sure that it's improved both my confidence and bike control. It's getting to be even more fun now the dark evening are here - but with two 5 LED Cateye lights on the front, I don't struggle to see where I'm going.

Only do about 8 miles each time but really enjoy it and - like the OP - seem quite comfortable in padded tights and a decent waterproof / windproof jacket. Mind you, the wife isn't loving all the extra washing!!!

Having said all that, don't think I'd want to do any big milages without waterproof leggings , too.

Might find out at the weekend - got my regular Saturday morning 30 miler planned - and the forecast at the moment would give Noah sleepless nights!!!