My Bike Is My Car

I’ve begun preparing for colder and wetter weather. Here in the southern end of the Bay Area, weather is fairly mild year-round. We’ll have some cold mornings and evenings, sure, but not frosty. We’ll have rain, yes, but not the constant wet pavement of, say, the Pacific Northwest and Seattle, where I grew up. Because the weather is fairly mild even in the heart of winter and the most inclement weather I can expect is heavy rains (usually with fair warning from the weather professionals), I tend to focus on finding clothing that is wind and water RESISTANT not wind and waterPROOF. Why not go with waterproof if it is available at the same cost? Because despite the garment-makers’ claims that the article is “breathable”, I find that this is rarely true for me. With water resistant clothing I usually have the coverage I need to get me through the 10 mile ride to work or back (40 to 45 minutes).

Here’s what I’ve found works pretty well in the past for water resistance. I have some Adidas track pants with knee-to-ankle side zippers and reflectors that have decent water resistance but are very breathable. The disadvantage here is that they are not narrow and can catch in the chainwheel. Another disadvantage is that unless I strap off the ends, water enters up my leg when riding in wet conditions. I also have a pair of Schoeller dry-skin pants with articulated knees that are water resistant in light rain. They have a better design for riding (stretchier, narrower leg, velcro strap at bottom of pant leg, ankle zipper) and they look fine as pants for work, meaning I often do not need to change clothes when I get to work. For me that’s a real bonus because I don’t like changing in the tiny toilet stall in the men’s bathroom. Lastly, I have a pair of Ex Officio convertible, lightweight travel pants that I have sprayed with some kind of waterproofing spray. This worked pretty well, in fact, and does not seem to harm the fabric. On the other hand, the pants did become rather thin and rip in one part. I can’t recall if this was before or after spraying them. This is a consideration: waterproofing spray may damage or at least increase the fragility of synthetic fabrics. Unfortunately for me, these pants, which I use most often for hiking, are not appropriate for work so if I use them I need to change into other pants once I arrive at work. But there are a lot of decent-looking synthetic pants on the market these days, some of them even come with water resistant or waterproof spray on them. I’ve seen many pants of this sort for sale on Sierra Trading for less than $45 a pair and am considering purchasing one pair for this rainy season. Another option, and one that I’ve seen many 4 season commute riders choose, is to get a pair of fitness/running pants and either apply some kind of weatherproofing spray, or have a weatherproof shell handy for one it really pours. I’m considering doing something like that. I’ve been looking for running pants/tights that have some kind of water/wind resistance on them. I did purchase a pair of Illuminate thermal tights from Bike Nashbar. They seem cheaply constructed and feel like plastic. I’m also afraid they are simply too warm. What looks good about them is the illuminating properties, the slim leg design, and the ankle zippers (the leg is so slim that there is really no way to get them on or off with unzipping). I’ve also been looking at a pair of rain pants made for cycling. Novara has one that interests me called the “Express” pant. It is categorized as “very water resistant” and has reflectors, ankle zippers, velcro at the leg bottom, and reinforced fabric on the inside cuff. These are all important features for a cyclist, I believe. What worries me about these pants and the reason why I haven’t decided yet whether or not to get them is the description “very” water resistant: I’m worried they will be too sweaty and clammy inside. But I do need SOMETHING for when it really pours hard. Another option I’m considering is a cycle cape/poncho. I don’t know much about these and have never seen one personally. I also don’t know anyone who uses one. I wonder if they are awkward to bike in or if the wind blows them this way and that, letting water in. In any case, a poncho won’t protect me from all the water and mud coming up from off the street, pedals, and chainwheel, so it won’t solve the pants issue. I’m thinking that if I get wool long underwear I can get away with just water resistant pants (regular pants, track pants, or fitness/running pants) even in a downpour. If I get a lightweight wool (I can also get microweight wool underwear), the wool will absorb whatever water gets through the clothes and keep me warm. Once I get to work I just whip out the dry pants from my bag and strip off the pants and long underwear and let it dry. The question is, will a very lightweight wool long underwear dry in time for my commute home? How will it be to pull on semi-wet long underwear for the return commute? What about the water-resistant pants that got soaked? (Typically, these types of fabrics dry very quickly. My Ex Officio’s do, as do the Schoeller Dryskins and the Adidas track pants).

To Be Continued: what will I do about ankles and feet in the rain? How about torso, arms, head and face?