I really wish I was testing out some all weather riding gear last night at bike party, but I wasnt. It would have been perfect to see how well it could keep the buckets of rain and mild wind out of my dry clothes underneath. With the weather being so unpredictable at times, a good pair of rain pants and booties could come in handy if your trying to get in more year round cycling. If your dry and warm you can always ride your bike in practically any weather.
Wearing my trusty gore-tex jacket that has elastic sleeves, drawstring bottom and covered zipper pockets helped make the ride tolerable. I was dry with the hood up covering a beanie and a winter face mask. The rest of me: drenched with water not long after starting the ride. Plastic bags taped over my shoes and ankles were filled with water within 20 minutes. Large plastic bags, taped like a hockey players socks, got twisted up in my cranks after 15 minutes. Weather proof motorcycle style gloves kept my hands warm (thanks to thinsulate) but they were so full of water I had to keep ringing them out like washclothes. My portable lithium-ion powered radio, that I had covered with what looked like industrial shower caps, stayed dry and rockin live 105 all night(that thing works good!). Until I hit the biggest blacktop bulge ,or what Ill refer to as practically a curb, in the middle of the Great America overpass at 101. My radio launched out of my front basket at least 5 feet in the air and onto the road, even with a missing knob and kinked antenna it still worked fine.
It rained for more than half the night and puddles of every size were all around, but we kept riding. Once you get going your body quickly warms up, not to mention the air was crisp and clean for your lungs from all that rain. Through the ride I ditched my super soaked gloves and my hands didnt get cold. As long as you keep riding you won’t get cold, see you out there rain or shine. -Jonsey
