Tips for riding in cold rain?
This is kind of a specific question that I couldn't find directly addressed in the existing Forum by searching; apologies if I should have.
With the (fingers crossed) upcoming thaw, I am trying to decide how to dress when we get the cold rains - in the 30-50 degree range. This is my first Chicago winter biking, so it'll be my first experience with that kind of biking weather, and I'm trying to figure out how to do it without giving myself hypothermia (or something).
I know and can handle snow and warm rains, but I worry that a ride through 35-degree rain might make me much colder, faster, than I'd be riding even through -5 degrees, dry (okay, that might be an exaggeration); and I might not be able to generate as much core heat, as effectively, which is a key part of getting through those really cold days.
Am I over-thinking it? Freaking myself out?
In terms of gear - I was thinking (at 40-50 degrees) I would go with a thin thermal underlayer on top with a hardshell windbreaker, and my go-to tights over shorts that have served me well so far this winter. Shoes will have covers; still thinking about the glove options; and I'm thinking I'll continue with the balaclava until it becomes obviously too warm. Basically my get-up for the dry cold, minus ten degrees. One possible addition/replacement would be to get some baggy rain pants, though I'd much prefer the tights to carrying leg-sails on my long-ish commute.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on
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The cold rain is harder than -5 IMHO. The problem being, of course, that when one gets wet in 35 degrees one gets cold very fast. So the real key is something to keep out the wet that will breath. It is almost as bad to be sweaty wet as to be rain wet, so light wicking layers under the waterproof thing. I suggest the rain pants. I found a light rain jacket this fall with pit-zips and a hood that will go over or under my helmet that seemed to work pretty well. Probably you can still find such a thing for a not outrageous price at Sierra Trading Post. The hands are still the problem. I wear my winter gloves that are waterproof.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on
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I'd say that you're overthinking it :)
I think the key is to accept that you will eventually get wet. As breathable as any garment can be, when it's wet on the outside from rain, and wet on the inside from sweat and vapor, you're just going to be wet after any considerable ride.
My rain kit is a Shower's Pass pants, a Cloudveil rain jacket with huge pit zips, and Rivendell made Spats (shoe covers) and Klim gortex gloves. During the spring, I'll keep the spats and a Campmore cycling poncho in my saddlebag everyday in case of surprise showers.
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Permalink Reply by Rich S on
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Just above freezing rain. My least favorite riding weather! Your gear should be fine except for the tights. If they get saturated quickly then you might get cold. I have a pair of Marmot rain pants which are decent to keep the rain out but I wouldn't recommend them for biking as the saddle has worn out.
Like Kevin said you'll be wet either way. I'd rather be clammy from the inside than have my clothes soaked with cold rain.
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Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on
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I totally get and accept that I will get soaked! Thanks for the suggestions, all. So far it seems like the consensus is to get some made-for-rain pants on. Would you do a layer under that (like tights), or should the rain pants+shorts capture enough heat at 35-45?
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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on
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I also carry with me some baggy rain pants and waterproof jacket (got it at the thrift store for couple bucks. I also have a 100.00 fancy breathable jacket but the watrprf coating wore off long ago and I use it as a windbreaker now) and shoe covers. In order to fix the baggy pants problem, I just keep in my pannier two Velcro pant straps and use them to wrap up the flappy baggy part of the pants. I do get sweaty in the rain gear but that's way better than getting drenched in almost freezing rain.
Im going to check out those spats... my current shoe covers are torn up and not so waterproof.
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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on
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Latex dishwahing gloves work well if you can find a size large enough to accommodate your hands and gloves, plus they come in all kinds of dorky colors. I have hazmat-type booties for my feet (I do not use cleats), but they only come in yellow.
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The Marmots I have are quite breathable but after a while it does get clammy. Above 45-50 I don't add any extra layers under. Below that I usually just use some wool long johns. If your tights are insulated then you might get pretty warm during the 2nd half of your ride.
Simon Phearson said:I totally get and accept that I will get soaked! Thanks for the suggestions, all. So far it seems like the consensus is to get some made-for-rain pants on. Would you do a layer under that (like tights), or should the rain pants+shorts capture enough heat at 35-45?
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Yeah, my tights are pretty well-insulated. I don't think they're truly hard-shelled, but they have served me pretty well through the winter winds, snow, and slush. I'll look into getting something less hardcore as a layer beneath the rain pants, which seems to be your recommendation below 45.
Rich S said:The Marmots I have are quite breathable but after a while it does get clammy. Above 45-50 I don't add any extra layers under. Below that I usually just use some wool long johns. If your tights are insulated then you might get pretty warm during the 2nd half of your ride.
Simon Phearson said:I totally get and accept that I will get soaked! Thanks for the suggestions, all. So far it seems like the consensus is to get some made-for-rain pants on. Would you do a layer under that (like tights), or should the rain pants+shorts capture enough heat at 35-45?
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Ha! That's an interesting idea. I have some liners that turned out to be counterproductive when worn under my other gloves, which might be a good underlayer if I were to go with something like that. My shoe options are a bit limited because I've been riding clipless. My current foot arrangement turns out to be pretty water-resistant, though, so I'm thinking it might be worth at least a try. I think the strategy in 35-50 degree rains will need to focus less on protecting poorly-circulating extremities (which probably won't get close to true frostbite temperatures in those conditions) and more on generating and retaining core heat (so as to avoid hypothermic conditions).
Gene Tenner said:Latex dishwahing gloves work well if you can find a size large enough to accommodate your hands and gloves, plus they come in all kinds of dorky colors. I have hazmat-type booties for my feet (I do not use cleats), but they only come in yellow.
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That's a helpful reminder. It's been ages since I've needed to strap up my pants, so I mightn't have thought of that until my first ride with the rain pants! I'm still a little concerned that the bagginess in the thighs will catch some wind, but I'm beginning to think that's just me whining.
Robert Underwood said:I also carry with me some baggy rain pants and waterproof jacket (got it at the thrift store for couple bucks. I also have a 100.00 fancy breathable jacket but the watrprf coating wore off long ago and I use it as a windbreaker now) and shoe covers. In order to fix the baggy pants problem, I just keep in my pannier two Velcro pant straps and use them to wrap up the flappy baggy part of the pants. I do get sweaty in the rain gear but that's way better than getting drenched in almost freezing rain.
Im going to check out those spats... my current shoe covers are torn up and not so waterproof.
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I'll stress that what I recommended works for me. You might find the tights to be just right or that you may not need an extra layer under rain pants at all.
Not being hard shell it sounds like your tights would get soaked and that would be miserable for a long ride. Rain pants would likely be a worthwhile investment but I'd experiment with under-layers before spending extra money beyond that. The bagginess of rain pants never bothered me but you do need to use some straps or rubber bands around the ankles to keep the pants from getting caught in moving parts.
Simon Phearson said:Yeah, my tights are pretty well-insulated. I don't think they're truly hard-shelled, but they have served me pretty well through the winter winds, snow, and slush. I'll look into getting something less hardcore as a layer beneath the rain pants, which seems to be your recommendation below 45.
Rich S said:The Marmots I have are quite breathable but after a while it does get clammy. Above 45-50 I don't add any extra layers under. Below that I usually just use some wool long johns. If your tights are insulated then you might get pretty warm during the 2nd half of your ride.
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I have the Convertable 2 Pant. Excellent construction, breathabilty, and waterproofness. The pant feels "bomb proof" and I've used it even while motorcycling and I can attest that it's even waterproof for hours at highway speeds.
The reflective bands around the legs are extremely bright and effective at getting the attention of motorists. My wife was past me in her car one night during her commute home and thought that the movement of the reflective bands on the pants was more attention-getting than my lights!
However, I suggest you try them on first, because the fit is a little "off" in the hips/groin area for my body type. It's just a little saggy feeling and the crotch can get hung up on the saddle when mounting your bike. It's a non-issue once you're riding if you don't get out of the saddle a lot.
rwein5 said:Kevin, how do you like those Shower's Pass pants? I was thinking of getting a pair this week, coincidentally.
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