I was just put to shame
It is raining today, in Roanoke, VA. It wasn't raining right before I started out, but when I put my bike shorts on to begin my daily commute, it started coming down, so I changed my mind about the bike, and grabbed the car keys.
But on the way in, in the dark and cold rain, I passed a family of one adult on a tandem with what had to be an 8 year old girl, and a young boy no older than 10 on his own bike in front. I couldn't believe it. These conditions are no fun to ride in. Not pouring rain, but spitting and cold.
I've only been commuting since July, but I feel so ashamed for thinking, "Meh, I'll take the car in today," when these kids are out there being harder than I am.
So if you're out there, Mr or Mrs Awesome and Youth, you rock. You are hard as hell. And I am not worthy to call myself a commuter in your shadow.
Also, please get some lights on the back, it was very hard to see you!
Posted Jan 11, 2013, 12:41 PM UTC
No bad weather... just bad clothes!
Nope, I have a rain jacket. I just made too many excuses. "My ankle hurts, my legs are sore, it was a long week, blah blah blah."
That family is awesome.
Actually both. I have gotten over the excuses only to be stomped on by bad clothing choices. As long as you have the right protection for the weather just get out of the house and on the road. Once you do that all excuses slowly break apart.
They don't make clothes for 50mph wind gusts.
edit - I feel like you guys are missing my point. The clothing may exist for a certain weather condition, but that doesn't mean that said clothing magically enables you to ride successfully in that weather condition.
Nope... that's what Rule #5 is for.
But seriously, be careful in that stuff.
stop it with the rules
Yes, they do!
They do actually.
I've seen them rated up to 60mph.
But, riding in that is a whole different story. My 21 mile commute (42 roundtrip) sucked on wednesday. 25mph gusts (only) and it tacked on an extra 20 minutes to my typical commute :(
Yes, the jacket will do it's job, but it's completely moot, as you'll be blown off the road. This is coming from experience riding in 40+mph gusts.
Too bad QBP doesn't have one of these in their lineups.
yes they do, they're called jackets.
Okay. Go put on your jacket and see how well you ride in 50mph gusts.
I had no problem walking and jogging in such gusts, but it hasn't been practical for me to ride my bike lately, and I haven't tried.
I used to do it regularly as a kid, kinda sucked when there was a headwind, I'd get off the bike and walk because weak little me couldn't move forward! I had a big sailor jacket, though, acted a lot like a sail. I think something tighter would work better.
34 and rainy. How do you keep your hands warm for 3+ hours?
I'm finally going to try vapor barriers gloves, but before that - it was just a matter of time before my gloves/mittens get wayyy too wet/cold.
Thoughts?
Big thick ski mittens will work all day in those temperatures. Actually, they get a bit hot.
... they gey soaked. Vapor barrier + wool glove + wind shell from my big ski mitts ... that's gotten me through several hours so far.
Having moved to Portland last fall, I figured this out right quick.
Though one guy nearly did a rolling stop into me from the right last night and then pulled alongside me to say that my clothing was too dark (even though I have a freaking bright front light). Told him that cycling clothing is damned expensive and he said fair enough and told me to take it easy. People are so nice here.
Agreed. You should be comfortable cycling in any inclement weather (barring anything dangerous), which means having a good selection of layers that you can mix and match.
As soon as you're wet & cold, you're going to be miserable.