And today's commuting highlight is...

[Bikesalot]

Pothole said:

Liberal application(s) of this kind of stuff fixed my leaky crotch

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000L9C81E/ref=asc_df_...

Ta! I've ordered some of that, but the version you chuck in the washing machine.
The suit hasn't been washed this year and is looking (and smelling) and bit funky.

[ewant81]

Bikesalot said:

Pothole said:

Liberal application(s) of this kind of stuff fixed my leaky crotch

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000L9C81E/ref=asc_df_...

Ta! I've ordered some of that, but the version you chuck in the washing machine.
The suit hasn't been washed this year and is looking (and smelling) and bit funky.

Might be worth washing it the machine first using something like Nikwax Technical Wash, then using a re-proofer. Works wonders for freshness and waterproofing.

[supercommuter]

Sea Demon said:

I use an Alpinestars El Nino suit, £90 but keeps me 100% dry and when its freezing I pop that on and keeps me warm too even though its only thin.

Hate those el nino suits, that stupid mesh liner they have insider is a massive pain in the ass when trying to wrestle over your boots under a bridge on the m4 in the pissing rain in rush hour, it gets caught any you end up peeping your foot out the bottom with the internal mesh stuck to it. I booted my leg into mine and had a rage in the hard shoulder which resulted in the mesh being ripped out, two hands above my head swinging it around. Absolute scenes.

3/10 would not buy again.

[Sea Demon]

supercommuter said:

Hate those el nino suits, that stupid mesh liner they have insider is a massive pain in the ass when trying to wrestle over your boots under a bridge on the m4 in the pissing rain in rush hour, it gets caught any you end up peeping your foot out the bottom with the internal mesh stuck to it. I booted my leg into mine and had a rage in the hard shoulder which resulted in the mesh being ripped out, two hands above my head swinging it around. Absolute scenes.

3/10 would not buy again.

You could just put it on before you leave but I know what you mean - does keep me 100 % dry though

[black-k1]

Sea Demon said:

supercommuter said:

Hate those el nino suits, that stupid mesh liner they have insider is a massive pain in the ass when trying to wrestle over your boots under a bridge on the m4 in the pissing rain in rush hour, it gets caught any you end up peeping your foot out the bottom with the internal mesh stuck to it. I booted my leg into mine and had a rage in the hard shoulder which resulted in the mesh being ripped out, two hands above my head swinging it around. Absolute scenes.

3/10 would not buy again.

You could just put it on before you leave but I know what you mean - does keep me 100 % dry though

The key to buying any rain over suit is to buy at least one size bigger than you think you need. They're so much easier to get on and off. Mrs K1 laughs at the XXXL over suit I have (I'd normally go for an XL) but it keeps me dry and can be got on and off easily.

[Sea Demon]

Yep mines a couple of sizes bigger

[supercommuter]

black-k1 said:

Sea Demon said:

supercommuter said:

Hate those el nino suits, that stupid mesh liner they have insider is a massive pain in the ass when trying to wrestle over your boots under a bridge on the m4 in the pissing rain in rush hour, it gets caught any you end up peeping your foot out the bottom with the internal mesh stuck to it. I booted my leg into mine and had a rage in the hard shoulder which resulted in the mesh being ripped out, two hands above my head swinging it around. Absolute scenes.

3/10 would not buy again.

You could just put it on before you leave but I know what you mean - does keep me 100 % dry though

The key to buying any rain over suit is to buy at least one size bigger than you think you need. They're so much easier to get on and off. Mrs K1 laughs at the XXXL over suit I have (I'd normally go for an XL) but it keeps me dry and can be got on and off easily.

Mine was significantly larger than required having gone through lots before. The netting is a nightmare unless you put it on before you leave..which is not always appropriate...warm weather etc

That's all folks

[Bikesalot]

All rather enjoyable really. 11 degrees and clear.

Traffic was as busy as ever on a Monday but no one tried to kill me today.

Hopefully the traffic starts to ease over the next week or so since we're on the run down to Christmas.

Still not had a chance to ACF50 the bike, should make the effort this weekend I think.

[supercommuter]

Left Bristol just before 4am this morning, was sat at my desk in London fully de-geared by 5:45am. Never had such a clear run in!

[terry tibbs]

black-k1 said:

Sea Demon said:

supercommuter said:

Hate those el nino suits, that stupid mesh liner they have insider is a massive pain in the ass when trying to wrestle over your boots under a bridge on the m4 in the pissing rain in rush hour, it gets caught any you end up peeping your foot out the bottom with the internal mesh stuck to it. I booted my leg into mine and had a rage in the hard shoulder which resulted in the mesh being ripped out, two hands above my head swinging it around. Absolute scenes.

3/10 would not buy again.

You could just put it on before you leave but I know what you mean - does keep me 100 % dry though

The key to buying any rain over suit is to buy at least one size bigger than you think you need. They're so much easier to get on and off. Mrs K1 laughs at the XXXL over suit I have (I'd normally go for an XL) but it keeps me dry and can be got on and off easily.

no one use plastic bag on end of boot and then glove, my unlined held suit slides on, i just keep one in a tank bag pocket

[dibblecorse]

So are four wheeled rants allowed ???

If not, mods feel free to delete .......

An absolute spacktard of a dark grey 1 Series BMW who decided through sheer impatience to nearly take out the side of my car whilst narrowly missing a cyclist in the process, I flash my lights at him as he narrowly misses everyone and then decides its time to wave the coffee beans, well f*** that for a game of soldiers, shame he hasn't noticed the lights go red ..... So I calmly make my way to his window, you could see him panic push the door lock button and get his phone out, not so f***cking brave now you little c***, that may be a quote ..... he then proceeded to stare ahead as best he could, looked panicked when I tried all his doors and I'm presuming may have been on the phone to the police by the end, f***nugget of the highest order ...

The cyclist remained a quiet witness to all this and thanked me for sticking up for him ......

Will check youtube later in case I made it ....

[Bikesalot]

1 degree on the dash.

Body was fine. Hands not so. Said it before but, heated grips on the africa twin are cack.

Bar muffs going to have to come out again!

Aside from that the sunrise was lovely.

[Dakkon]

Saw one other bike this morning, he was filtering very cautiously when the traffic slowed around jnt 11 on the M4, let me past though, brrrrrr

[Sea Demon]

Bikesalot said:

1 degree on the dash.

Body was fine. Hands not so. Said it before but, heated grips on the africa twin are cack.

Bar muffs going to have to come out again!

Aside from that the sunrise was lovely.

I fitted my old bar muffs last week and had the grips on level 3 this morning & for me they were on the verge of being too hot, they do feel useless on their own though!

[DuckSauce]

It was a tad cold this morning, heated grips on last but one setting and my finger tips were still cold when I got in. That's just with summer gloves, silk under gloves and heated grips. Still need to sort out some decent thermal leggings, my Tesco ones aren't cutting it under the leathers

[sjtscott]

Bikesalot said:

1 degree on the dash.

Body was fine. Hands not so. Said it before but, heated grips on the africa twin are cack.

Bar muffs going to have to come out again!

Aside from that the sunrise was lovely.

Not that I'm on here much anymore since cycling a couple of miles in the freezing cold to the train for my commute into London doesn't count and I've retired after 18years from proper Winter bike riding since leaving London 4 months ago.
But once again Gerbing microwire heated gloves.. XRS12 (short cuffs) fit under jacket sleeves and fix all of this heated grips/muffs messing around Once you've tried them you won't go back.

[SBDJ]

sjtscott said:

But once again Gerbing microwire heated gloves.. XRS12 (short cuffs) fit under jacket sleeves and fix all of this heated grips/muffs messing around Once you've tried them you won't go back.

Not always the case sadly, I did a run recently for a few hours below freezing and my hands were chilly in the XRS12s on heat level 2. I can't turn them up any higher because then they burn me, making the higher settings useless.

[dreamer75]

I just bought a pair of Keis heated gloves. The Gerbing's didn't fit me and were really thick and couldnt' feel anything through them. My one journey with them turned on was bliss. On the lowest setting. THey did say that in their new jacket they've removed the highest heat setting as it was too hot and not used....

[Bikesalot]

A friend dropped off his hardly used Richa rain suit yesterday as he doesn't ride on the roads much anymore.

Can in very handy this morning, and will again on the commute home judging by the forecast.

So the highlight is bone dry textiles and me being a bit warmer!

Lowlight was the second zip on my pannier bag finally giving up yesterday meaning I cant zip it shut - ordered the same again from great bikers gear to replace it.
First one held up well considering it was an old freebie!

Edited by Bikesalot on Wednesday 5th December 08:37

[dibblecorse]

Well thats was a grim, wet, foggy, drizzly ride in ...... on the plus side, even though I got here at 9.30 only 4 of the 7 bike slots were filles, guessing the FWBs are now on the train .... and my recently ordered gloves were in a box under my desk having been delivered whilst I was out yesterday .... weirdly won't need them as its a balmy 12 degrees apparently ....