I’ve spent countless hours commuting on my bike through Oregon winters and have learned more than a thing or two about cycling in the rain.
Things like don’t ride with your fancy new messenger bag — or any clothing item you care about — in the rain without a rear fender.
You would think that vast experience makes me an expert in rain gear, and that I arrive anywhere dry as a whistle no matter what the weather.
I wish.
But, first I wonder why anyone believes whistles are dry in the first place, especially when most people have a hankering to wet their whistle. I guess whether dry or wet most people keep their whistles clean, or so I’m told. Although I had a couple of gym teachers who never got that memo.
But I digress.
I have no idea how much money I’ve spent over the years on items — jackets, hats, gloves, shoes, socks — that claimed to be waterproof, and, of course, were not. I’m still waiting for class-action lawyers to jump on this jackpot someday.
Cycling apparel has made tremendous strides, but one day hanging around at a fishermen’s gathering I met a family business that focused on keeping the loggers here in Oregon dry.
Youza!
They had some great gear.
Even the fishermen thought so — hook, line and sinker!
But here’s the thing. It seems whether or not what I put on is really “waterproof” or not, I end up soaked. Either from within or without. So what’s the point?
This week’s question: Have you ever ridden in the rain and really stayed dry? How?
I think it is possible to ride in the rain and stay completely dry under specific conditions – like it has to be a short ride at an easy pace on a cool day, while dressed in full foul-weather gear and rain boots. Any ride outside of that, something is going to get wet, either from sweat, tire spray, or rain … it’s just something you have to accept when choosing to hop on the bike when the sky is wet.
How to stay dry? One, full fenders. Two, full raingear. Three, don’t count wet feet.
You nailed it! Wet feet don’t count. I’d wrap my feet in plastic grocery bags to no avail
No
I’ve never been able to stay totally dry. I usually convince myself that I can beat the rain but get soaked without the right gear or, dressing correctly, am in a hurry to get it over with and drench myself in sweat. But I’m on my bike!