Bike Commuting

Seattle year round commuter. For my current short commute: a rain cape (poncho).

• it's comfortable to wear both wet and dry
• easy on/easy off. Less fucking around trying to get geared up.
• I don't sweat through my clothes because it ventilates like crazy

So many more reasons, but good lord those 3 are reason enough. Putting on still-wet gear at the end of the day is nasty.

I also wear rain-legs. I wear wool socks and sneakers (1 less piece of wet gear to deal with). No gloves (cape deals with the rain and wind).

I never wear a hard shell, even back when I was riding in soggy Seattle. I just get soaked from sweat instead of the rain.

In warm weather: Quick-drying synthetic fabric, usually a road jersey and Lycra shorts. I just expect to get wet.

In cold weather: Water-resistant softshell tights and jacket. I also have winter-specific clipless shoes with neoprene uppers.

Full-coverage fenders, Ortlieb bags, and bright lights are a must year-round.

Raincoat and rain pants that (mostly) cover my shoes. Backup socks in my backpack.

Also, I use a rain radar app (Drops) so sometimes I wait 5-10 minutes for a dry window. However, this doesn’t work as well for convective storms or areas with poor radar coverage.

Warm weather: wear quick-drying athletic clothes + SPD sandals, accept that I'll get wet, and change clothes at destination.

Cold weather: wear sweat-wicking clothes with rain pants, rain jacket, wool socks with SPD mountain biking shoes, and change clothes at destination.

rain coat/pants, extra pair of socks

Full front and back fenders are a must for me. I also have a poncho made for biking and it's kept me dry in HEAVY rain. My poncho was expensive, think it was called "the people's poncho" but I love it. Even keeps my legs dry, and the hood can go over my helmet - but I don't love doing that cause I feel like I can't hear or see much and it doesn't feel as safe.

Just got our first snow this week so I just put my studded tires and pogies on!