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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

246.0. "RAINGEAR ADVICE" by ENUF::JSMITH () Wed Apr 01 1987 15:40

    	I'd like to solicit opinions on the various makes and models of
    rain wear.  I recently have seen ad's for poncho type coats that
    also serve as bike covers and wondered if these were really practical
    or just a selling gimmick.  Also, I would like some opinions on
    which type of gear is better, (price and performance) in terms of
    riding comfort.  I've seen some models that are basically a poncho
    with thumb slots to keep your hands and arms dry while in the drops
    and they appear to be very practical and economical but I can't
    remember when I have ever actually seen anyone using one.  The most
    popular brand I've seen is the Cannondale Jacket and Pants type
    suit.  Very nice but also very expensive and I wonder if they are
    more restrictive when riding.  Would anyone care to provide me with 
    some pros and cons based on actual experience.  Thanks.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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246.1rain pants are swellKLAATU::THIBAULTSwimmers Do It WetterWed Apr 01 1987 17:295
I wouldn't recommend a poncho for bike riding. They're great for other
stuff but a friend of mine was riding with one and one of the loose
ends got tangled up in the chain. Not a pretty picture.

Bahama Mama
246.2Another thumbs down for ponchos...SUSHI::KMACDONALDMacarooned on a Dessert IslandWed Apr 01 1987 18:186
Get gear that fits relatively closely, i.e. not a poncho. Baggy stuff makes
you feel like you're sailing a sailboat against the wind. Good ventilation
is important to keep you from wetting yourself with sweat. My preference
runs to GoreTex mountain parkas with underarm zippers, and GoreTex runner's
pants....
                                              ken
246.3Use GoretexULTRA::WITTENBERGWed Apr 01 1987 19:5315
I'm a big fan of Goretex.  I've heard that there are similar products now 
available, but I've never tried them.  I have Descente goretex jacket and 
Campmor goretex pants.  They both work quite well.  The other possibility for
pants is to just wear polypropolene tights.  I have a heavy pair of polypro 
tights, and am comfortable wearing them in rain down to about 40 degrees.
It is important that the clothing not flap excessively, so I don't think a 
poncho could work.

Some people I know are quite happy with the Performance Rain gear ~$165.
for a suit last time I checked.

Good Riding,

--David 
246.4it depends on how long you're in the rainNOVA::FISHERThu Apr 02 1987 07:5625
    There are lots of ways to look at this problem, so please excuse
    me if mine is too fatalistic.
    
    It just does not matter what you wear, you are going to get wet,
    soaked.  What you want to try to do is keep warm so you don't get
    hypothermic.
    
    When I rode to Buffalo last June, I had a Performance rain suit.
    It rained 5 of the 7 days that we took to get there.  I used the
    pants the first day.  It poured all day.  I was wet and toasty,
    ok, soggy toasty.  After that I only used the jacket.  Since then
    I have carried a much simpler plastic jacket with a velcro closure
    with me and found it to be sufficient.  It will double as a windbreaker
    and provide some protection in the case of sudden cold blasts of
    long downhill freezes.   The plastic jacket is nice because you
    can tuck it into a pocket (bulgy pocket).
    
    It all depends on how much you "have to ride" once it starts raining.
    If you're going to be there for days and days regardless, you need
    more comfort.  If the jacket is an emergency measure, then something
    a little less elaborate will suffice.  If you're never more than
    a phone call away from home, a dime is a good tool (my pride is
    too extreme for me to call for a ride home, but ....)
    
    ed
246.5my $.02 worthEUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO 8-3/T13 dtn 223-6871Thu Apr 02 1987 15:5416
    	The above contain some good advise.  To elaborate:
    Primary objective is to keep your skin as dry as possible. For this
    you want poly underwear. Tops and bottoms.  You will be able to
    overwhelm the moisture transport ability of Gore-Tex by vigorous
    exercise, so cooling is important - I demand underarm zippers!
    	Foot protection is also important. I've got some Gore-Tex
    booties (kind of like a gaiter) from Early Winters that do fine.
    Hands get chilled, so protect them too.  The best rain protection
    that I know of is a Zzipper fairing, really. You kind of hide behind
    the sucker, with your hands out of the breeze.  Works good in cold
    weather too.  
    	I'm not giving my Cold and Wet Weather Clothing workshop at
    NEAR (maybe at GEAR-UP '88) since they want me to talk about recumbents
    instead. (that really upsets me :-)).  It looks like we should have
    the following for test rides: Avatar, Linear, DeFelice, Tour Easy,
    and Infinity.  Garry, want to add the Counterpoint?  - Chris
246.6I DEMAND an apologyISBG::MILLERMarketing, the oldest professionThu Apr 02 1987 20:498
>    and Infinity.  Garry, want to add the Counterpoint?  - Chris

 Reg, do you believe these people? Calling my CounterPoint a RECUMBANT!!!
Chris, it is a SEMIrecumbant.....;-)

Actually, I have been debating within about attending. I'll be better able
to let you know in a month. Sounds like a great time, tho, and I DO like
your idea.
246.7Yeah, you shud demEnd ! an apology...MENTOR::REGWho is Sylvester McCoyFri Apr 03 1987 13:488
    
    	OOOps, it seems every day I learn how to spell another word
    properly.   I had always thought it was RE_CUM_BENT (underscores
    for sylabic separation only).
    
    	Reg
    
    (an' how do you shoulder one o' dem tings in a 'cross event anyway ?)
246.8CLASS is in sessionISBG::MILLERMon Apr 06 1987 16:4029
>     I had always thought it was RE_CUM_BENT (underscores

 I an really sorry for that, Reg. I humbly request your forgiveness.
    Please?
    
>        (an' how do you shoulder one o' dem tings in a 'cross event anyway ?)

 
    You've asked this question before, and I didn't respond because
    I actually thought you were joking around. But I guess you really
    want to learn something. It's not very often we get you in this
    frame of mind, so I think I will take advantage of that.
    One doesn't shoulder SemiRecumbEnt tandems. One could ride them,
    but two shoulder them. The picture would be reminiscent of a
    Middle-Eastern potentate being carried by porters, with one shoulder
    in the front and another in the rear (of the machine, Reg, of the
    machine).
    Another method of porting the machine, provided you've strayed into
    areas not suitable for biking, would be to winch yourself along
    using the timing chain and the built in boom. Actually, the bicycle
    is very efficient in this mode. However one (or two, as the case
    may be) is limited to the length of the chain for wach portage...In
    our case, that's 17.5 yards. 
    I really think it's silly to think one (o t a t c m b) would need
    more length, however, since one (or t a  etc) will realize within the
    first 15 feet the undesirability of following you, or others into
    the muck.                             
    
    And that's the end of today's lesson. Any questions, Reg?
246.9carry like a suitcaseEUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO 8-3/T13 dtn 223-6871Tue Apr 07 1987 14:538
    Seriously, to carry a low-handlebar recumbent, you just grab the
    top tube just in front of the seat, like you'd grab a suitcase handle.
    It's low enough so's when you are carrying it with your arm straight
    (assuming you have a non-knuckle-dragging build), the wheels are
    several inches clear of the ground.
    
    This was a raingear note... Anybody been trying out their's recently?
    	- Chris
246.10Rain? Whats that?ISBG::MILLERTue Apr 07 1987 20:289
>    This was a raingear note... Anybody been trying out their's recently?
 
       Rain? Whats that?
       Rain? Whats that?
       Rain? Whats that?
       Rain? Whats that?
       Rain? Whats that?
       Rain? Whats that?
       Rain? Whats that?
246.11Gortex/Raingear recommendations??TOOK::FRANKMon Apr 25 1994 17:076
    There have been a lot of changes in Gortex and Rain gear of the
    recent years.  Are there any current recommendations around raingear,
    Gortex or otherwise.
    
    Thanks
    Frank Ferreira
246.12NOVA::FISHERTay-unned, rey-usted, rey-adyMon Apr 25 1994 17:1812
    If you want to stay dry, ride when you don't need it.  :-)
    
    Seriously, I have tried everything and the last few years gave up
    totally on miracle fabrics and use a nylon shell, I still get wet
    but it takes up less space when I don't need it and it isn't
    that bad when I do use it.  AND I've ridden at time when I could
    pour a pint of water out of the arm when I tug at the elastic on
    my wrist.
    
    Anyone have any more joyous experiences?
    
    ed
246.13more reasoning on GortexTOOK::FRANKMon Apr 25 1994 18:1817
    thanks Ed
    
    riding when you don't need it is desirable ;^)
    
    What has put me in the market?  Last week on a pleasantly cool day,
    took a 35-45 minute arobic ride wearing a nylon windbreaker.  I got
    soaked from the inside-out.  Today, also pleasantly cool, took the 
    same ride wearing a Gortex shell, closed to the neck and snug at the
    wrists.  When finished, I was dry inside and felt great...  I've had
    the shell for awhile.  I'm considering the purchase of Gortex pants
    and wondering if they will provide the same positive results as the
    shell.  Natch for the money they will be multi-functional and used
    on a Motorcycle, Canoeing, hiking and walking, as well as, bicycling.
    
    I look forward to hearing other opinions...
    
    Frank
246.14MSBCS::BROWN_LTue Apr 26 1994 22:325
    I simply wear nylon as well and just arrive wet.  I have Gortex, but
    sweat so much that it doesn't really matter.  The nylon jacket/pants
    keeps the road grit off the clothes underneath, which in turn keeps the
    washing machine from seeing a ton of sand, which in turn keeps the
    Maytag man away.  _Kratz