A year ago I got a new job about a mile from home. I live in a medium/smallish city on the west coast of the US, so finding safe(ish) routes are not tough. Plus my town is trending bike friendly.
My new job doesn’t have parking that you don’t have to pay for, plus it seems so pointless when I live so close. I was walking every day (also nice!) but my husband kept suggesting dusting off my 30 year old Fuji mountain bike. Then in June I found this Mossberg sweetie at a swap meet for 2.00–I posted her before. I threw on some baskets and new pedals and cleaned her up a bit . Long story short—I’ve been riding to work nearly every day! I love it, even though there is one busy intersection where I do walk my bike through the crosswalks.
I’ve also been called a b*tch for going the wrong way on a one way (it’s not a one way, I checked!) and yelled at for walking my bike in the crosswalk instead of riding it (these were dorky teens yelling on a megaphone out of a car). I’ve been using the Mossberg as a grocery vehicle! I love her so much!
Anyway now I’m starting to look at rain gear and stuff since it is super wet here in the autumn/winter. I don’t want to give up the bike but I question my commitment to sparkle vision, ha ha. Welcoming any suggestions or tips and tricks from veterans. Love this sub!
by Sleekitbeasty
5 Comments
*new tires, not pedals. And the teens with the megaphone were actually funny because they yelled “you ride a bike! You don’t walk a bike!!”
You have the most important thing, which is mudguards! You could even get add-on flaps for the ends for extra protection from road spray. Other than that it can be useful to get a waterproof seat cover so that you don’t have to sit on a wet seat after it’s been in the rain. Some like waterproof trousers for rainy riding, but I’m not a fan because they get really sweaty. For such a short ride and an upright bike, a rain poncho that at least covers your knees could be the move!
For the rainiest days, I like a rain jacket, gloves, rain pants, and boots. If it’s light rain, jacket and gloves alone may be fine. Best setup is if you have a locker room or somewhere to change clothes upon arrival at work.
I like to wear rain pants and a pack-a-mac. Both pack down very small and stay in my panniers, and I can throw them on mid-ride as the rainpants go over my boots without needing to take them off (get a baggy pair with zips near the ankles). A helmet with a visor helps a little to keep rain off my glasses, and my jacket hood fits over my helmet.
I don’t care how I look, because I am dry 😁
I just do a rain jacket and cheap rain pants from amazon. They get pretty beat up usually, so I don’t invest in better ones. I also wear an ankle height waterproof boot. Gloves are good if it’s cold.
Don’t forget front and rear lights! Especially when it’s wet and darker out, you need to bee seen out there.
Like others have said, sometimes the rain does just suck. I feel like it’s worthwhile to endure it though. People go their whole lives living in climate controlled, sheltered spaces. Feeling the cold, heat, wind, rain, sun, and snow keeps me better connected to the world around me.