wet weather gear test

[Adam Lea]

Tomorrow I plan to cycle to work, then work to Dorking, then Dorking back to
Horsham. Have just seen the weather forecast and someone has gone mad with
the red crayon on the Met Office site with dire warnings of heavy rain and
strong winds. Have recently bought some overshoes and gloves so it looks
like a good test of whether I can stay reasonably dry on the 50 minute
journey to work.

Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop rain
running down neck).

Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.

Wish me luck.

Adam

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>, Adam Lea
[email protected] says...
> Tomorrow I plan to cycle to work, then work to Dorking, then Dorking back to
> Horsham. Have just seen the weather forecast and someone has gone mad with
> the red crayon on the Met Office site with dire warnings of heavy rain and
> strong winds. Have recently bought some overshoes and gloves so it looks
> like a good test of whether I can stay reasonably dry on the 50 minute
> journey to work.
>
> Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
> waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop rain
> running down neck).
>
> Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.
>
> Wish me luck.
>
Bonne chance. Don't forget to take a towel or two.

 

[Brian G]

Adam Lea wrote:

> Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
> waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop rain
> running down neck).
>
> Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.


The t-shirt is your weak spot. Much better to wear some sort of wicking
base layer, if you have one. Cotton t-shirts soak up sweat and become
very uncomfortable, while technical bases are much better at carrying
moisture away from the skin, leaving you feeling cooler and fresher.

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk

 

[Mark T]

> The t-shirt is your weak spot. Much better to wear some sort of
> wicking base layer, if you have one. Cotton t-shirts soak up sweat and
> become very uncomfortable, while technical bases are much better at
> carrying moisture away from the skin, leaving you feeling cooler and
> fresher.

Also, if the jacket has no liner and the outside fabric rests against the
skin it could get quite cold and you'll feel as if the jacket is leaking.
If it's got a mesh liner (or you're wearing a long sleeved T-shirt) then no
problem.

 

[[email protected]]

In message <[email protected]>
Brian G <[email protected]> wrote:

> technical bases are much better at carrying
> moisture away from the skin, leaving you feeling cooler and fresher.

So what should I purchase, please?


--
Charles
Brompton P6R-Plus; CarryFreedom -YL, in Motspur Park
LCC; CTC.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected]m says...
> In message <[email protected]>
> Brian G <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > technical bases are much better at carrying
> > moisture away from the skin, leaving you feeling cooler and fresher.
>
> So what should I purchase, please?
>

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yrqe9m

 

[[email protected]]

In message <[email protected]>
Rob Morley <[email protected]> wrote:

>> So what should I purchase, please?
>>

> http://preview.tinyurl.com/yrqe9m

Thanks - that'll sort out the underwear then.

--
Charles
Brompton P6R-Plus; CarryFreedom -YL, in Motspur Park
LCC; CTC.

 

[Brian G]

[email protected]m wrote:
> In message <[email protected]>
> Brian G <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> technical bases are much better at carrying
>> moisture away from the skin, leaving you feeling cooler and fresher.
>
> So what should I purchase, please?
>
>

For winter use, sometning like:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?ProdID=5360020001&referid=Frogoog

For summer use, a similar short-sleeved one. Material is likely to be
polypropylene.

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk

 

[Steve Watkin]

Well how did it go ?

 

[Brian G]

Steve Watkin wrote:
> Well how did it go ?
>
>

Eh?

--
Brian G
www.wetwo.co.uk

 

[Zog The Undeniable]

Adam Lea wrote:
> Tomorrow I plan to cycle to work, then work to Dorking, then Dorking back to
> Horsham. Have just seen the weather forecast and someone has gone mad with
> the red crayon on the Met Office site with dire warnings of heavy rain and
> strong winds. Have recently bought some overshoes and gloves so it looks
> like a good test of whether I can stay reasonably dry on the 50 minute
> journey to work.

I dug out my booties on Monday, then left them at work on Monday evening
I had very, very, VERY wet feet this morning after negotiating
several lakes.

 

[Adam Lea]

"Brian G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Adam Lea wrote:
>
>> Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
>> waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop
>> rain running down neck).
>>
>> Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.
>
>
> The t-shirt is your weak spot. Much better to wear some sort of wicking
> base layer, if you have one. Cotton t-shirts soak up sweat and become very
> uncomfortable, while technical bases are much better at carrying moisture
> away from the skin, leaving you feeling cooler and fresher.
>
> --
> Brian G
> www.wetwo.co.uk

The t-shirt I wore I got from an outdoor pursuits shop. It is made from
polyester and does an excellent job of letting the sweat out whilst
absorbing very little of it.

Adam

 

[Adam Lea]

"Brian G" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Steve Watkin wrote:
>> Well how did it go ?
>
> Eh?
>
> --
> Brian G
> www.wetwo.co.uk

I think he meant to ask me that question.

The clothing I had did the job I'm pleased to say. Only minor amounts of
dampness upon arriving at work, despite the rain being quite heavy and
persistent. I actually caught the train part way because I left the house
without my puncture repair kit and had to go back for it which put me behind
time. I still cycled about 7 1/2 miles between home and work though.

In the evening it was raining again but I still made it to Dorking (North
Holmwood) dry and comfortable. At 10:25pm I headed back home to Horsham down
the A24 dual carriageway. I judged this to be safer than the country lanes.
There was one unpleasant encounter when a car overtook me in lane 2 blasting
his horn as he went past, which startled me. As I was in lane 1 and had a 10
LED rear light, a flashing reelight, reflective ankle bands, pedal and rear
reflectors, hi-vis cycling jacket and hi-vis waterproof bag cover I cannot
believe it was because he didn't see me and had to swerve. There were no
other cars around at that time. Why do some people do this?

Adam

 

[[email protected]]

In message <[email protected]>
"Adam Lea" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Why do some people do this?


Because they are not brought up to know that the joys of courtesy
exceed the uncontrolled buzz they get from frightening the vulnerable
and cyclists?
--
Charles
Brompton P6R-Plus; CarryFreedom -YL, in Motspur Park
LCC; CTC.

 

[Tom Crispin]

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:07:29 -0000, "Adam Lea" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Tomorrow I plan to cycle to work, then work to Dorking, then Dorking back to
>Horsham. Have just seen the weather forecast and someone has gone mad with
>the red crayon on the Met Office site with dire warnings of heavy rain and
>strong winds. Have recently bought some overshoes and gloves so it looks
>like a good test of whether I can stay reasonably dry on the 50 minute
>journey to work.
>
>Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
>waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop rain
>running down neck).
>
>Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.
>
>Wish me luck.

I was out on my bike for 7+ hours on Tuesday and remained dry. And
the only piece of cycling specific gear I was wearing was my Shimano
shoes.

On the top I wore a Helly Hansen t-shirt and a Paramo Aspira Smock.
On the bottom I wore M&S pants, Ronhill tights and Berghaus Paclite
overtrousers.
On my hands I wore North Face fleece gloves and Outdoor Designs over
mitts.
And under my cycling shoes I wore SealSkin socks.
I had a spare Mountain HardWear fleece in my pannier.

At 8.30 I left home with my bike and bike trailer loaded with four
bikes. 9 - 10.30 I ran a cycle training session. At 10.30 I
transferred the bikes to another school. 11 - 3.30pm I led a Thames
Circuit bike ride for 13 eleven year old children. 3.30 - 4pm I
transferred the bikes to secure storage and returned home.

 

[Adam Lea]

"Tom Crispin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:07:29 -0000, "Adam Lea" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>Tomorrow I plan to cycle to work, then work to Dorking, then Dorking back
>>to
>>Horsham. Have just seen the weather forecast and someone has gone mad with
>>the red crayon on the Met Office site with dire warnings of heavy rain and
>>strong winds. Have recently bought some overshoes and gloves so it looks
>>like a good test of whether I can stay reasonably dry on the 50 minute
>>journey to work.
>>
>>Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
>>waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop
>>rain
>>running down neck).
>>
>>Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.
>>
>>Wish me luck.
>
> I was out on my bike for 7+ hours on Tuesday and remained dry. And
> the only piece of cycling specific gear I was wearing was my Shimano
> shoes.
>
> On the top I wore a Helly Hansen t-shirt and a Paramo Aspira Smock.
> On the bottom I wore M&S pants, Ronhill tights and Berghaus Paclite
> overtrousers.
> On my hands I wore North Face fleece gloves and Outdoor Designs over
> mitts.
> And under my cycling shoes I wore SealSkin socks.
> I had a spare Mountain HardWear fleece in my pannier.
>
> At 8.30 I left home with my bike and bike trailer loaded with four
> bikes. 9 - 10.30 I ran a cycle training session. At 10.30 I
> transferred the bikes to another school. 11 - 3.30pm I led a Thames
> Circuit bike ride for 13 eleven year old children. 3.30 - 4pm I
> transferred the bikes to secure storage and returned home.

It wasn't so much the rain that was the problem but the winds. I was cycling
in a westerly direction with the wind blowing from the south. When I got to
Forest Green, where the road is exposed to the south I was getting blown all
over the road.

Adam

 

[Tom Crispin]

On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:05:14 -0000, "Adam Lea" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>"Tom Crispin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:07:29 -0000, "Adam Lea" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>Tomorrow I plan to cycle to work, then work to Dorking, then Dorking back
>>>to
>>>Horsham. Have just seen the weather forecast and someone has gone mad with
>>>the red crayon on the Met Office site with dire warnings of heavy rain and
>>>strong winds. Have recently bought some overshoes and gloves so it looks
>>>like a good test of whether I can stay reasonably dry on the 50 minute
>>>journey to work.
>>>
>>>Plan is to wear shorts under waterproof trousers, overshoes, gloves,
>>>waterproof cycling jacket (T shirt underneath), gloves and hat (to stop
>>>rain
>>>running down neck).
>>>
>>>Probably need to take it easy to avoid overheating.
>>>
>>>Wish me luck.
>>
>> I was out on my bike for 7+ hours on Tuesday and remained dry. And
>> the only piece of cycling specific gear I was wearing was my Shimano
>> shoes.
>>
>> On the top I wore a Helly Hansen t-shirt and a Paramo Aspira Smock.
>> On the bottom I wore M&S pants, Ronhill tights and Berghaus Paclite
>> overtrousers.
>> On my hands I wore North Face fleece gloves and Outdoor Designs over
>> mitts.
>> And under my cycling shoes I wore SealSkin socks.
>> I had a spare Mountain HardWear fleece in my pannier.
>>
>> At 8.30 I left home with my bike and bike trailer loaded with four
>> bikes. 9 - 10.30 I ran a cycle training session. At 10.30 I
>> transferred the bikes to another school. 11 - 3.30pm I led a Thames
>> Circuit bike ride for 13 eleven year old children. 3.30 - 4pm I
>> transferred the bikes to secure storage and returned home.
>
>It wasn't so much the rain that was the problem but the winds. I was cycling
>in a westerly direction with the wind blowing from the south. When I got to
>Forest Green, where the road is exposed to the south I was getting blown all
>over the road.

Yes, certainly in the afternoon. One child was blown off his bike in
front of Docklands' Airport. And the planes landing were bouncing all
over the sky before touchdown; we didn't see any take off.

 

[Roger Merriman]

Tom Crispin <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:05:14 -0000, "Adam Lea" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Tom Crispin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >news:[email protected]...
> >> On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:07:29 -0000, "Adam Lea" <[email protected]>
> >> wrote:
> >>
snips
> >>
> >> At 8.30 I left home with my bike and bike trailer loaded with four
> >> bikes. 9 - 10.30 I ran a cycle training session. At 10.30 I
> >> transferred the bikes to another school. 11 - 3.30pm I led a Thames
> >> Circuit bike ride for 13 eleven year old children. 3.30 - 4pm I
> >> transferred the bikes to secure storage and returned home.
> >
> >It wasn't so much the rain that was the problem but the winds. I was cycling
> >in a westerly direction with the wind blowing from the south. When I got to
> >Forest Green, where the road is exposed to the south I was getting blown all
> >over the road.
>
> Yes, certainly in the afternoon. One child was blown off his bike in
> front of Docklands' Airport. And the planes landing were bouncing all
> over the sky before touchdown; we didn't see any take off.

every direction i've been heading this week seems to have had a
headwind... doesn't help that the hybrid has a fairly sit up and beg
postion so a sail rather too well.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

 

[[email protected]]

On Jan 16, 6:11 pm, Tom Crispin
<[email protected]> wrote:
> On the top I wore a Helly Hansen t-shirt and a Paramo Aspira Smock.

Paramo stuff is great. Last Friday I cycled home several miles across
the Cotswolds in near blizzard conditions (wind only 20 mph, so not
quite a blizzard). My Paramo jacket performed perfectly, keeping me
warm and all the weather out. Unfortunately, my legs and feet didn't
have the same protection, so they were soaked.

Unfortunately my jacket is too warm to wear for cycling in all but the
severest of conditions. Expensive as well, but it lasts much longer
than Goretex.

Rob

 

[Tom Crispin]

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:30:00 -0800 (PST), [email protected]
wrote:

>On Jan 16, 6:11 pm, Tom Crispin
><[email protected]> wrote:
>> On the top I wore a Helly Hansen t-shirt and a Paramo Aspira Smock.
>
>Paramo stuff is great. Last Friday I cycled home several miles across
>the Cotswolds in near blizzard conditions (wind only 20 mph, so not
>quite a blizzard). My Paramo jacket performed perfectly, keeping me
>warm and all the weather out. Unfortunately, my legs and feet didn't
>have the same protection, so they were soaked.
>
>Unfortunately my jacket is too warm to wear for cycling in all but the
>severest of conditions. Expensive as well, but it lasts much longer
>than Goretex.

My Paramo is five years old and still perfoms fantastically well. I've
worn it in Arctic conditions on the Cairngorm Plateau and it kept me
toasty.