Dressed for the rain?

I must admit fellow bike addicts to being a complete woosy when it is about to rain before I head for work - I often chicken out, get in my work clothes, and hop a bus.  It is not biking in the rain itself which turns me off - in fact I would probably enjoy the experience of the cool rain on my face (I actually have biked in the snow quite a bit too through the winter days).  And I wouldn't care less biking home in the rain.  It is simply that while my work clothes are in a plastic sealed bag in my backpack, I just don't like the idea of arriving to work all soggy. I don't like typical synthetic body-hugging biking clothes like you see those bikers wear who work out in the morning - though I bet they probably look the least wet when they are.  I try to go dressed in normal clothes (tight jeansy type pants, a button up colorful summer shirt that cars would likely notice) on the way to work - and they would get positively soaked if I biked in them in the rain.  But I know it doesn't really matter what I wear - so long as I have dry clothes to get into in the changing room (I am lucky my workplace even has one, so who am I complaining?).  The thing that gets me is that half the time it looks like it is going to rain or the media states it will, and I chicken out, the rain doesn't even start to come down until after I have arrived at work - I could have MADE IT, I yell at myself all of that day!  So why am I so damn neurotic?  Why does my Super Ego keep me from biking on those days - since when did a little water hurt anyone?  I want to get over this!  I could wear a simple raincoat, but imagine how drenched one would be biking in this heat in a coat?  So come on, you brave girls and boys, tell me what I should wear to get through this without worrying so much?  I'll do ANYTHING - I'll even look like those bikers who work out in the morning - okay, any ideas EXCEPT that!

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 9, 2013 at 3:06am

In light rain, I wear a pair of Chrome Shorts and a bike jersey. The shorts are water resistant and dry fast, and I change into a nicer shirt at work anyway. For heavy rain, I bring out the Showers Pass pants and Mission Workshop Orion jacket.

Oh, and a good cycling cap to wear under the helmet is a must (or any brimmed hat if you don't wear a helmet). It keeps the rain out of your eyes so you are not constantly blinking and impairing your vision. I've got a waterproof Showers Pass one.

If nothing else, get a good set of fenders. They will help keep the spray from the road at bay and keep you and your bike cleaner.

Also check out an iPhone app called Dark Sky. It gives a very accurate rain prediction for the next hour. If you don't have an iPhone, check out forecast.io. It's made by the same people as Dark Sky and uses the same data and rain predictions. 

Permalink Reply by David P. on July 9, 2013 at 3:33am

When the weather is like yesterday's (high 80s, quite humid), getting rained on feels good. I, for one, welcome my new sky-water overlord. Quick-drying fabrics help, but it still feels good in normal shorts and a cotton t-shirt. All's I gotta do is throw my phone and wallet into the bag to keep them dry.

Permalink Reply by JeffB on July 9, 2013 at 4:37am

Get a membership in Divvy.  Assuming there are stations near your home and work.  If its raining in the morning, skip the ride in and take Divvy home if its dry.  And vice versa.

I also don't like the tighter bike clothes, but I get the looser-fitting, quick-dry fabric shirts, and I found some great swim trunks with lots of pockets at Eddie Bauer a few years ago.  Saves me from having to switch out and dry my boxers.  EB doesn't carry them anymore, but I'm sure you could find some other workable trunks

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on July 9, 2013 at 4:56am

REI has a decent selection of swim trunks.

JeffB (7+ miles) said:

I found some great swim trunks with lots of pockets at Eddie Bauer a few years ago.  Saves me from having to switch out and dry my boxers.  EB doesn't carry them anymore, but I'm sure you could find some other workable trunks

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