How do you commute?
Dealing with weather as a bike commuter
It's raining now (something it hasn't done in a while) and it got me to thinking about one of the big reasons people don't commute by bike- weather. Rain represents a number of issues- comfort, visibility, your transported clothing getting wet, dirty bike and you riding gear being wet for the ride home (I'm sure there are more).
But with the right gear you can be surprisingly comfortable during the ride and with a bit of preperation your work clothing can remain clean and dry.
Clothing first- depending on how cold it may be a couple of items can make a huge difference- show covers or booties, long gloves, skull cap, jacket and fenders. All of these items can be had for not a great deal of money, the booties and jacket could be the most expensive- but you can find good booties for under $50 ($25-$50) and jackets can often be found for $50 or more. I'm not a huge fan of "waterproof" jackets as I find I sweat way to much in those jackets so I end up wet anyway. I go for the jackets that are water resistant- basically the rain beads up but in a heavy rain they may soak through- but they tend to breath much better.
Long finger gloves and skull caps (or any hat that will fit under your helmet) may be things you already have. I use a lot of my XC ski gear when it comes to hats and gloves.
Fenders- front can be done with a bit of creative thought and either a milk jug or liquid laundry deterget bottle and a couple of zip ties- the back- I just spend the $20 and buy a cheap fender- these make a HUGE difference.
I'm always amazed at how comfortable you can be in the rain on a day when the temps barely make it into the 40's. The added bonus- people think you look tough!
Regarding your work clothing- I put my clothes in a plastic bag before I put them in my pack. Or I'll try to plan ahead and have clothing at work that can be my bail out plan on days when either the weather isn't good or I just don't feel like carrying a change of clothes.
Now when you get to work on a rain day you need to find a place to get your riding gear dry. On a really wet day I'll rinse out my kit in the sink (it's wet already, mine as well get the grit off of it) and then I hang it on hangers and squeeze out as much water as possible, then try to find a place to let it dry without it being in the way of co-workers. I use our gym and try to sneak the heat on a bit. Realize your clothes will drip a bit, and clean that up so you don't create a mess and ill feelings from your co-workers!
Usually in a few hours this stuff will dry, I often pull the foot beds out of my shoes and if they are really wet stuff them with newspaper. This whole process takes a few minutes, but it beats putting on wet gear at the end of the day for the ride home!
Visibility- buy a couple flashing lights- one for the front and one for the back. I actually ride with two flashers on the back (one on the helmet and one on the seatpost) then one on the bars- so that those in intersections see me as I roll in. Also consider reflective tape on your jacket and in other places- I don't mind being made fun of as looking like a Christmas tree- I'll take that over not being seen.
Finally the dirty bike- leave an old towel in the supply closet at work and wipe the bike down when you get there- that will make a huge difference when it comes to caring for your gear.
So those are my thoughts- anyone have other ideas about commuting in wet weather?
But with the right gear you can be surprisingly comfortable during the ride and with a bit of preperation your work clothing can remain clean and dry.
Clothing first- depending on how cold it may be a couple of items can make a huge difference- show covers or booties, long gloves, skull cap, jacket and fenders. All of these items can be had for not a great deal of money, the booties and jacket could be the most expensive- but you can find good booties for under $50 ($25-$50) and jackets can often be found for $50 or more. I'm not a huge fan of "waterproof" jackets as I find I sweat way to much in those jackets so I end up wet anyway. I go for the jackets that are water resistant- basically the rain beads up but in a heavy rain they may soak through- but they tend to breath much better.
Long finger gloves and skull caps (or any hat that will fit under your helmet) may be things you already have. I use a lot of my XC ski gear when it comes to hats and gloves.
Fenders- front can be done with a bit of creative thought and either a milk jug or liquid laundry deterget bottle and a couple of zip ties- the back- I just spend the $20 and buy a cheap fender- these make a HUGE difference.
I'm always amazed at how comfortable you can be in the rain on a day when the temps barely make it into the 40's. The added bonus- people think you look tough!
Regarding your work clothing- I put my clothes in a plastic bag before I put them in my pack. Or I'll try to plan ahead and have clothing at work that can be my bail out plan on days when either the weather isn't good or I just don't feel like carrying a change of clothes.
Now when you get to work on a rain day you need to find a place to get your riding gear dry. On a really wet day I'll rinse out my kit in the sink (it's wet already, mine as well get the grit off of it) and then I hang it on hangers and squeeze out as much water as possible, then try to find a place to let it dry without it being in the way of co-workers. I use our gym and try to sneak the heat on a bit. Realize your clothes will drip a bit, and clean that up so you don't create a mess and ill feelings from your co-workers!
Usually in a few hours this stuff will dry, I often pull the foot beds out of my shoes and if they are really wet stuff them with newspaper. This whole process takes a few minutes, but it beats putting on wet gear at the end of the day for the ride home!
Visibility- buy a couple flashing lights- one for the front and one for the back. I actually ride with two flashers on the back (one on the helmet and one on the seatpost) then one on the bars- so that those in intersections see me as I roll in. Also consider reflective tape on your jacket and in other places- I don't mind being made fun of as looking like a Christmas tree- I'll take that over not being seen.
Finally the dirty bike- leave an old towel in the supply closet at work and wipe the bike down when you get there- that will make a huge difference when it comes to caring for your gear.
So those are my thoughts- anyone have other ideas about commuting in wet weather?
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