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Jun 2020
1:22pm, 18 Jun 2020
7,627 posts
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jda
I used to wear a reasonably stout goretex jacket when it rained in anything but the warmest conditions, I still got wet but was reasonably warm and comfortable. Wet is ok, cold and wet is miserable.
It's never quite as bad once you're out in it, as it seems when you look out the window. Well, not often anyway. After a couple of days of properly bad weather I would often drive or take the train instead as it got a bit wearing on a regular basis.
Much better to be a slightly soft fair-weather cyclist in the long term than make a martyr of yourself for a while and then give up.
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Jun 2020
1:23pm, 18 Jun 2020
10,779 posts
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MazH
I'm only up the road Baz!
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Jun 2020
1:36pm, 18 Jun 2020
6,571 posts
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sallykate
Agree that it's never too bad once you get going, on a short (up to half an hour) commute anyway. Shoe covers were a revelation to me - warm dry feet make a huge difference.
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Jun 2020
1:38pm, 18 Jun 2020
6,572 posts
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sallykate
When I was lucky enough to have a locker in the changing rooms I used to keep my work skirts and boots there, as well as shower stuff and a towel, and just take in a top and underwear each day.
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Jun 2020
1:40pm, 18 Jun 2020
267 posts
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PK
Overshoes can be helpful in the cold too. I had a pair of Shimano ones that were great. Think they were neoprene. They were actually better at keeping out the cold than the water....
Other than that, a rainproof jacket and, where possible, I stick to shorts rather than longer legged garments. Not gone to the waterproof cycling trousers yet.
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Jun 2020
1:42pm, 18 Jun 2020
16,732 posts
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Bazoaxe
The rainproof jacket I find tough when it’s also warm as it generates moisture from the inside. Eeew.
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Jun 2020
1:56pm, 18 Jun 2020
3,949 posts
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Kieren
I have showers at work and at about n hour commute, I tend not to wear the waterproof jacket I bought - I'd rather just get wet.
The exception that is shoes. After faffing around with overshoes, I finally invested in a pair of winterboot. What revelation they were. Possibly one of my favourite purchases (shimano MW7 I think). That and mudguards make for much better experience in the raid.
I use clip on crud3 mudguards which are decent. They needed a bit of cutting as I don't have clearance under the forks or brake calipers on my bike (CAAD12)
If I was selecting a bike again, it would perhaps be something of similar geometry but that could take mudguards, a rack etc - a bit more of a fast commuter
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Jun 2020
2:00pm, 18 Jun 2020
10,320 posts
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rf_fozzy
Neoprene overshoes were a revelation
RE: helmets. I don't believe *any* of the evidence that says there's *no* benefit. A lot of it is anti-cyclist, conservative (small c) old-school cycling nuts. Especially not a study from 1996!
The evidence that convinced me was falling off as a child and banging my head against a kerb and seeing the dent in my helmet that could have been my head. And this was low speed, me being an idiot.
I get that at high speed there's probably little difference, but I'll take marginal benefit over having my head caved in.
I believe that even Chris Boardman who was very anti-helmet (as he thought it limited participation more than from a safety point of view) has changed his mind on them.
The biggest safety benefits are from of course: 1. Cyclists riding in a proper road position (not in the gutter!) and not riding through give way junctions/red lights at high speeds and 2. drivers having a better understanding and respect for cyclists.
No 2. is of course the most important.
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Jun 2020
2:04pm, 18 Jun 2020
268 posts
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PK
Oh, when it's warm Bazoaxe, I get wet. I'll dress the same for warm and wet as for warm and dry. (Both are strange concepts in Scotland  )
Rain jacket only when cold and wet because, yes, i's gets very uncomfy inside.
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Jun 2020
2:08pm, 18 Jun 2020
16,734 posts
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Bazoaxe
I have not had many cycling crashes and of those I have had only one that resulted in a head knock.
That was as an unhelmeted 12 year old who had just attached a speedo to his Raleigh grifter and was too busy watching the speed to notice the parked caravan.
I learnt a good lesson to pay attention that day.
I have always worn a helmet as a precaution since I started cycle commuting in 2005. Mainly because I insisted my kids wore helmets and so felt I should lead by example.
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