Rain, rain, go away, go away: Enclosed Bicycles

[red]

The snow is on the way out and the rain is on the way in.
It is extremely uncomfortable to work for hours in a wet pair
of pants. So, what's a poor cyclist to do?

The first thing that came to my mind is an enclosed bicycle.
I learned that a permanently enclosed tricycle is called a
velomobile and sure, they make them:

pedalyourselfhealthy.org/comvelos.html

I like the Cab-Bike the best, because it does not look like
a bullet or a space ship. But what is with the price of these
things?! Six to ten thousand dollars for an enclosed tricycle?!

Then, I discovered what they call fairing, where you enclose
your own bicycle. I liked the idea, until I saw this cocoon:

www.wizwheelz.com/images/wallacefairingside.jpg

I mean, come on. Besides, I don't want a recumbent.
Doesn't anyone make something that goes on a regular bike?
It turns out they do:

www.alternatives.com/ultimate/jpg_gallery.html

But that thing looks like it would be useful only if you want to
protect your hairdo or if you are trying to smoke on your bicycle
in the rain. It's the legs! The legs, not the head!

My brightest idea so far is to cut two trapezoids out of tarpaulin,
install grommets along the long sides, wrap one around each
leg and lace them up! In other words, I give up. I guess the only
solution is to bring a spare pair of pants in a waterproof bag
and change at work.

This guy here went through a similar thought process and the
discussion has some potentially useful information and links:

www.greenash.net.au/posts/thoughts/in-search-of-an-all-weather-bike

Meanwhile, if anyone knows a way to keep your legs dry that
won't cost an arm and a leg, please let the rest of us know.

-

[gpickle]

Well Red, you could move to Phoenix! But if you really like it in these parts there are many things you can do without putting your bike in a bubble and riding it around. There are Gore Tex pants, of course or some folks enjoy riding in ponchos. I am hoping you have fenders? Got to have them if you don't. Personally if I know I am going to get drenched I take another pair of pants, socks, whatever, and put them in a plastic bag and just let the rain come down and then change when I get to work. This method has worked for me for 17 years of cruddy Iowa weather commuting. Anyone else out there got something to contribute to this conversation? I know you gots opinions, Wiener so out with em!

gpickle

[the weiner posse]

red said:

Meanwhile, if anyone knows a way to keep your legs dry that
won't cost an arm and a leg, please let the rest of us know.

how about free...!?

i too...will have to wholeheartedly recommend the 'carry a spare pair' method...a spare pair of pants and socks to be exact...i don't do the plastic bags though...i just use my rain cover for my pannier...

rain pants are simple enough to wear over your regular pants...and work like a charm...they won't be saving your shoes/socks from getting wet though...

and i concur with gpickle...you had better be rocking fenders...!

[red]

The information provided by gpickle and the weiner posse enabled
me to research this issue further and I came across the idea of
rain capes and I eventually ordered one. I was going to write
about it, but I have procrastinated. Today however, I read an
interesting article about rain capes in the Practical Pedal and I
thought I'd add my two cents here.

I second David Cain's statement that they are easy to use.
Putting one on is no more work than putting on a jacket. First of
all, a cape with a high collar makes you look like a super-hero.
The first time I put mine on, I stood in front of a mirror for a long
time assuming various postures that I thought a super-hero
would be likely to find himself in. I also made some majestic
gestures, such a royal sweep of the right arm. It was fun! Then
I hopped on the bike and ventured into the rain. On the first try,
everything went as advertised except the front end of the thing.
It comes with loops for you to slip your hands through, so that
the cape is not blown back by the wind. But the loops are very
large and the cape kept flying back, until I finally grabbed a bit
of the cloth and held it fast. This may be because my bike has high
and wide handlebars; the cape might fit better over the short,
straight, low handlebars of a commuter. The cape kept me
completely dry, even the first time I used it, but I was annoyed
about having to fuss with its front end constantly. On the second
try, it was raining harder, and the cape still worked. I was better
at keeping its front end in place, but still far from perfect. It
definitely works as a deterrent. I have had it for several months
now, and only once was it raining on my way to work. I don't care
if I am soaked on the way back (I actually enjoy it), so I don't
take the cape with me in anticipation of rain during the commute
back home.

Cain says he has the fancy British waxed-cotton cape:

www.carradice.co.uk/rainwear.htm

I thought about it, but where in Iowa do you find someone to
refinish it when the wax wears off? Also, it is expensive.

The cheapest cape I found was this:

tinyurl.com/692cy

I decided against this one because of the hood. They say it is
well designed to provide maximum visibility, but I don't believe it.
Besides, I enjoy getting my hair wet in the rain.

Finally, I decided on this one:

www.bicycleclothing.com/Rain-Capes.html

It is made in the USA! It doesn't have a hood. It is not very
expensive. It is made of nylon cloth. This means that they have
weaved nylon fibers into a fabric. It is waterproof like nylon, but
it feels like cloth. You don't feel like you are wearing a dry
cleaner's bag over your head. I had to spell I-o-w-a for the guy
who took my order over the phone, but it got here!

What else is necessary to stay dry?

Fenders are a must, as everyone points out. However, they are
not enough. If you ride through a puddle fast enough, you will
raise plenty of water and ride right through it before it gets a
chance to fall back on the pavement. This way, you get your
shoes soaked and it is not fun. I read someone mention good old
mud flaps and I am determined to try a pair one of these days.
Finally, you need something to protect your eyes. Riding fast into
big drops of water really hurts your eyes. Further, as rain water
eventually replaces the regular fluid of your eyes, it starts
stinging pretty bad. (I suppose this is because it doesn't have
any salt in it.) It gets difficult to see, especially at night.

Such are my thoughts on riding in the rain.

Has anyone used mud flaps? Do they work?

-

[gpickle]

Ah, a fresh discussion on the IBC. Just what I need. I too received a Practical Pedal and was discussing the rain cape benefits with Cootie and we thought we should try one out. Glad to hear that you have already done the leg work for us, Red! Mudflaps are great, I recommend them highly. You can buy them or make them. Kent Peterson out in Seattle knows a thing or three about rain and you can look at his methods at kentsbike.blogspot.com for ideas or just try something. Leather, milk jug, treadmill belt (my favorite) or other you just have to cut it and affix it.

gpickle