2d ago

Cycling in the rain is as easy as walking in the rain: just wear raincoat

I use a bike poncho, it covers the legs, too, and limits sweating because it is open underneath. Decathlon sells them for cheap, and them works. There is also normal colors, but I prefer to be absurdly visible (I want to see who says "I didn't seen him 🙂)

Every time I use it, I'm amazed I'm dry underneath (the face gets wet).

In any case, even if I don't wear it, I'm unlikely to get soaked, when rain is not that strong. We are not made of sugar!

crosspostated from: https://social.tchncs.de/users/lgsp/statuses/115484700218126774

Comments

Multiplexer @discuss.tchncs.de 2d ago
Just look out for those leaves.
When wet they can be as slippery as ice.
- Destide @feddit.uk 2d ago
  I died this morning
  
  Multiplexer @discuss.tchncs.de 2d ago
  That's unfortunate...
  The bright side:
  At least it is november, so you can have fun with the other ghosts!
- lgsp@feddit.it @feddit.it 2d ago
  Yes indeed. This particular road is unpaved anyway, so I already ride slow enough that leaves are not a problem.
  But in other areas they are really dangerous!
db0 @lemmy.dbzer0.com 2d ago
As someone who's an all-weather cycler, this is not true. You don't get nowhere as wet walking, especially with an umbrella. Also practically everyone owns a raincoat, but nobody owns a bike poncho. If the rain is heavy, visibility at bike speeds is also a significant issue. I once faceplanted because I literally couldn't see a grey bollard in cataclysmic rain.
In case you do that, also bring a fresh pair of socks. Rain has the nasty habit of sneaking into your shoes while dribbling down and there's nothing worse than going the whole day in wet feet.
- Multiplexer @discuss.tchncs.de 2d ago
  l second the socks, I always have one readily available in my bike bag.
  And since one particular thunderstorm a few years bag: also a fresh pair of underpants. Though that might be overkill for most...
- Hawk @lemmy.dbzer0.com 1d ago
  I don't think I've ever had wet socks, and I cycle in alle weather.
  I just have rain pants that cover the feet, no issues there.
RoidingOldMan @lemmy.world 2d ago
Legs always get soaked. Need a change of clothes and a changing room everywhere you go.
- lgsp@feddit.it @feddit.it 2d ago
  If I think I need them, I carry a pair of overshoes too. I never got wet up to the knee this way, and they are still quick to wear
  
  Multiplexer @discuss.tchncs.de 2d ago
  Overshoes are great, also to keep the shoes clean!
  But at some point during heavy rain, water starts leaking along the legs to the inside of the overshoes.
  I always carry a pair of fresh socks with me because of that.
- bob_lemon @feddit.org 1d ago
  Rain pants and overshoes work really well.
  The pants just go over your regular pants and can usually be opened up so they can be put on/off while wearing shoes. And if you layer them correctly (pants over shoes), no water gets inside.
  The only major downside is that they can get very warm.
adhocfungus @midwest.social 2d ago
How are the lemmings with glasses accomplishing this? I thought ice and snow would be what makes me switch back to a car for the year, but at this rate it's going to be light rain blinding me.
- Hawk @lemmy.dbzer0.com 1d ago
  I have a rain-proof hat with a cap, which mostly covers my glasses from the rain, unless the wind is blowing straight into my face
Etnaphele @lemmy.world 2d ago
Well said! Good overshoes are also important in my experience! And have an eye on bike maintenance, as water brings a lot of dirt to the bearings and riding regularly in the rain requires more disassembly and regreasing :)
- lgsp@feddit.it @feddit.it 2d ago
  Good point, I also use overshoes if I think the rain is too heavy.
  I keep a cloth in the garage at home, I do a quick chain drying with it. Also I use wax on the chain, so it doesn't collect a lot of dirt. Still, when used in rain it need more maintenance, as you said
  
  Etnaphele @lemmy.world 2d ago
  Very interesting, I wax the chains of my “hobby” bikes (gravel and road) but my commuter bike is greased: how is your experience with wax and rain, does wiping dry it enough to avoid rust? I’ve had mixed results with it, so I’m skeptical of waxing my commuter bikes chain (it could be the wax itself, though)
Annoyed_🦀 @lemmy.zip 2d ago
The local Decathlon only sell black colour poncho, ngl i looks like ring wraith on bicycle.
- lgsp@feddit.it @feddit.it 2d ago
  It's true, decathlon doesn't sell yellow poncho anymore, but it did some years ago.
  The one I use in the picture is from TucanoUrbano. I bought it because, since I was using the poncho frequently I wanted something better quality. This one is lighter, and it fits better: https://www.tucanourbano.com/products/mantella-garibaldina-2g-fluorescent-yellow
  
  Nighed @feddit.uk 2d ago
  Doesn't that trap your arms inside? How do you signal?
teft @piefed.social 2d ago
Where i live the rain comes down sideways and liters at a time so even a rain coat doesn’t help much. Luckily it’s never cold rain but still.
CaptainCancel @sh.itjust.works 2d ago
I avoid biking in the rain more for the sake of my bike.
JubilantJaguar @lemmy.world 1d ago
Confirmed. A few weeks ago I did a multi-hour ride across a mountain pass in driving rain, protected only by Decathlon's cheapest raincoat (the one that stuffs into its own pocket). Stayed bone dry.
Well, except shoes, which were sodden of course.
HubertManne @piefed.social 1d ago
One thing I liked with my folder is I could put my poncho over the hanlebars keeping both it and my hands dry. It was like I had a little tent for my bike.
- lgsp@feddit.it @feddit.it 23h ago
  That's exactly what bicycle specific ponchos are meant to do!
fubarx @lemmy.world 1d ago
But what if you LIKE getting soaking wet? There are kids who actually ran INTO the running sprinklers, and have now gotten older.
JubilantJaguar @lemmy.world 1d ago
the face gets wet
Cap.
- lgsp@feddit.it @feddit.it 1d ago
  Cap
  The face, not the hair. I still need to see while riding😅

29 Comments