Question for Those who commute in all weather
Discussion
As expected, it was raining heavy on my ride home last night
None of my kit leaked, however, I had to dry my gloves and boots in the airing cupboard and my helmet hung on the radiator while jacket and trousers hung on chairs, either side of a dehumidifier all in the spare room so out of the way
All nice and dry this morning, a nice dry commute plus forecast is dry for tonight too.
Thanks all, I will keep you updated
None of my kit leaked, however, I had to dry my gloves and boots in the airing cupboard and my helmet hung on the radiator while jacket and trousers hung on chairs, either side of a dehumidifier all in the spare room so out of the way
All nice and dry this morning, a nice dry commute plus forecast is dry for tonight too.
Thanks all, I will keep you updated
I've commuted for 30 odd years into London on a bike, all weathers. As I've got older I really hate being wet and cold, it makes me even more miserable than I normally am. So I'd say buy the best gear you can possible afford even if it's at the cost of not upgrading your bike every couple of years.
My kit Hideout 2 piece textiles (flipping expensive but worth every penny. I'd say better than the Rukka set I had before although textiles have moved on), Daytona boots again not the cheapest but 100% waterproof. I wear Rev-it waterproof gloves that are ok but must admit to this day have not found a pair that are completely waterproof, I use bar end mitts that do the job and keep your hands pretty warmish in all weathers.
If you add up the cost of the above now-days you must be looking at 3k which is a lot but spread over 6 or so years not too bad and to be honest it's the difference in me enjoying my riding or getting on the train when it's wet.
My kit Hideout 2 piece textiles (flipping expensive but worth every penny. I'd say better than the Rukka set I had before although textiles have moved on), Daytona boots again not the cheapest but 100% waterproof. I wear Rev-it waterproof gloves that are ok but must admit to this day have not found a pair that are completely waterproof, I use bar end mitts that do the job and keep your hands pretty warmish in all weathers.
If you add up the cost of the above now-days you must be looking at 3k which is a lot but spread over 6 or so years not too bad and to be honest it's the difference in me enjoying my riding or getting on the train when it's wet.
I commute 80-100 miles a day. Every day. Never known a winter like this, it feels like it has rained every day since October, it’s really starting to get me down.
Scott waterproofs are the absolute lifesaver in the rain. Gore Tex kit, even Rukka (which I wear) will get wetted out in the kind of rain we’ve been having. Scotts on top, and you stay dry.
My helmet, boots and gloves are all rotting due to being constantly soaked. I’ve even contemplated using the car.
Scott waterproofs are the absolute lifesaver in the rain. Gore Tex kit, even Rukka (which I wear) will get wetted out in the kind of rain we’ve been having. Scotts on top, and you stay dry.
My helmet, boots and gloves are all rotting due to being constantly soaked. I’ve even contemplated using the car.
W12JFD said:
I’m a year round commuter and tourer- after many years and a lot of kit tried it’s a Scott rain jacket and pants and whatever is temperature / risk appropriate underneath. Decent boots are essential for me. Gloves always leak in the end, I think Oxford do some over gloves so that’s next on the list for long tours.
I was told to pack a pair of rubber surgeon type gloves as you can put them under wet gloves to stay dry again.I got fed up with the traffic and had a cheap ped I'm using for a silly adventure planned
So decided to use it as a daily. My average speed to work went from 10mph in the car to 22mph and the time was less than half
Also the mpg went from 30mpg in the Land Rover diesel auto to over 110mpg
I wear my RST textile jacket while it's raining at times and cold, my gerbing heated gloves and my spare lid with a Sena com. All I do is play a bit of music on my daily commute
If it rains I have some £7.99 delivered eBay special waterproof over trousers which work a treat
Tbh it makes it hard to want to use a car for anything other than my racing or family weekend time
So decided to use it as a daily. My average speed to work went from 10mph in the car to 22mph and the time was less than half
Also the mpg went from 30mpg in the Land Rover diesel auto to over 110mpg
I wear my RST textile jacket while it's raining at times and cold, my gerbing heated gloves and my spare lid with a Sena com. All I do is play a bit of music on my daily commute
If it rains I have some £7.99 delivered eBay special waterproof over trousers which work a treat
Tbh it makes it hard to want to use a car for anything other than my racing or family weekend time
I did a whole year on the bike because car wasn't reliable. You can spend hundreds on waterproof textiles and you'll still get wet and I always found the efficacy of any products would go around your arse first as that's where the water would pool. The best way is to have overcoat and overtrousers. I bought a cheap pair of RST ones and with decent gloves and boots, even a few hours was fine.
Been walking a new dog lately and found the same. I have "waterproof goretex" hiking trousers that didn't stay that way so now I'm walking in my RST stuff on top. Being that sort of material I can put it over the shower cubicle and it's dry within hours.
Been walking a new dog lately and found the same. I have "waterproof goretex" hiking trousers that didn't stay that way so now I'm walking in my RST stuff on top. Being that sort of material I can put it over the shower cubicle and it's dry within hours.
Good morning
I got the call yesterday afternoon. My car is ready so picking it up this afternoon.
Damp ride in this morning but mostly spray from standing water and other traffic not really raining.
I think I might “choose” to commute on bike more often, you just seem to arrive at work in a better headspace.
Thank you all for the tips. I’ve enjoyed sharing my daily experiences with you all
Have a great day and ride safe
I got the call yesterday afternoon. My car is ready so picking it up this afternoon.
Damp ride in this morning but mostly spray from standing water and other traffic not really raining.
I think I might “choose” to commute on bike more often, you just seem to arrive at work in a better headspace.
Thank you all for the tips. I’ve enjoyed sharing my daily experiences with you all
Have a great day and ride safe
chris4652009 said:
Good morning
I got the call yesterday afternoon. My car is ready so picking it up this afternoon.
Damp ride in this morning but mostly spray from standing water and other traffic not really raining.
I think I might “choose” to commute on bike more often, you just seem to arrive at work in a better headspace.
Thank you all for the tips. I’ve enjoyed sharing my daily experiences with you all
Have a great day and ride safe
The headspace thing is definitely why I choose the bike. Unreliable trains and appalling people make that commute unpleasant and also I always feel like I'm rushing when I use the train - rush to leave home at a specific time, speed walk to the station, stand in the same place on the platform, try (and usually fail) to get a seat etc. v's stroll out the garage, push the bike out, switch Radio 2 on and cruise to work in my own private place. No contest. Coming home, i genuinely unwind on the bike with Simon Mayo. I actually enjoy the commute home on my bike, I could never say that on the train. It's no faster, probably marginally cheaper but so much more enjoyable.I got the call yesterday afternoon. My car is ready so picking it up this afternoon.
Damp ride in this morning but mostly spray from standing water and other traffic not really raining.
I think I might “choose” to commute on bike more often, you just seem to arrive at work in a better headspace.
Thank you all for the tips. I’ve enjoyed sharing my daily experiences with you all
Have a great day and ride safe
I've given up caring about the weather, wrap up well and enjoy it, although visibility can take the edge off.Steve_H80 said:
A cheap waterproof jacket and trousers from any outdoor or army surplus shop over your regular riding kit. It will keep you dry, packs small and dries out quickly.
About £20 each.
This. Workwear shops are also good for this, especially as you can get waterproof over-wear that's hi-viz.About £20 each.
EasternBlocGeek said:
Steve_H80 said:
A cheap waterproof jacket and trousers from any outdoor or army surplus shop over your regular riding kit. It will keep you dry, packs small and dries out quickly.
About £20 each.
This. Workwear shops are also good for this, especially as you can get waterproof over-wear that's hi-viz.About £20 each.
chris4652009 said:
Good morning
I got the call yesterday afternoon. My car is ready so picking it up this afternoon.
Damp ride in this morning but mostly spray from standing water and other traffic not really raining.
I think I might “choose” to commute on bike more often, you just seem to arrive at work in a better headspace.
Thank you all for the tips. I’ve enjoyed sharing my daily experiences with you all
Have a great day and ride safe
I ride in most days. I love it. The only time I don't is when I'm late off after a late shift. Its sI got the call yesterday afternoon. My car is ready so picking it up this afternoon.
Damp ride in this morning but mostly spray from standing water and other traffic not really raining.
I think I might “choose” to commute on bike more often, you just seem to arrive at work in a better headspace.
Thank you all for the tips. I’ve enjoyed sharing my daily experiences with you all
Have a great day and ride safe
t finishing at 4am...getting changed into my bike kit etc. Car is change my boots, whip my hoody over the top and get in the car. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff