Anyone Riding To Work Rain Or Shine?

[5-7HEAVEN]

Anyone Riding To Work...Rain Or Shine?

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My new year's resolution is to give up my $81 monthly covered parking stall and sublet my other $47 monthly stall. Then I plan to motorbike to work, rain or shine.

Driving in is an option on the one or two days that I have school after work. Otherwise I'd like to bike in the 12-mile roundtrip.

My old phone company-issued rain suit that I used to work in rain-soaked weather is in good shape. A spare raincoat will be carried on the bike.

Two motorized bikes will be for alternating use. One is "The Iron Dragon", a 7-speed cruiser with twin Mitsubishi engines, front friction and rear chain drive assemblies. The backup will be my Whizzer bike. On wet roads chain drive rules while my friction drive is disengaged. Unsure how Whizzer belt drive works in the rain.

Is anyone else besides the billions of Chinese bicyclists committed to ride in good AND bad weather?
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Honey, it's just a bicycle. and i REALLY need it to excercise, and to ride it to work.(hehe)

[Easy Rider]

$128 a month adds up. For that much you can get a decent full face helmet and a motorcycle rain outfit. If you do plan on riding in the rain, use a full face with a shield. I wear my MX pants with a rain proof shell jacket. I've rode in some harsh raining conditions and never got my inside cloths wet. At least being in Hawaii you don't have to worry about being cold.

[5-7HEAVEN]

I already have a 3/4 helmet which should work well. The Verizon rain suit is awesome with rubber boots and suspender pants. we used to stuff our sleeves with paper towels to keep the rain out while working with hands held overhead.

And yes, thankfully it's not cold when it rains here.

I got caught in the rain riding home from work last month, but the water could NOT wipe away my big smile as I rode home.

[wildemere]

I do it. Its 20 minutes each way. I carry a tool kit and spare tube and pump.

I also use motorcycle grade wet weather gear and clear (night) and tinted (day) safety glasses. Don't trust regular sunglasses to protect from road debris.

I use 3 bikes a shifter bike in fine weather, another single speed for wet weather or night, as it has fenders and lights. The third one is for backup, spares and for friends to ride.

I would consider 2 bikes to be the minimum for getting it done reliably.

I get nervous when I only have one running.

[5-7HEAVEN]

wildemere, I have two MB's but I might also commission a THIRD BIKE, "The Dragon Lady", another twin-engined cruiser for commuting. It has dual friction drives; the front drive is cannibalized from "The Iron Dragon" while it's awaiting parts.

I could use my Titan rear drive for wet weather, then bolt the rear friction drive onto the front tire. Of course I'll need two more identical engines.

Wife thinks I have too many bikes.

She just doesn't understand.

[Michigan Mike]

Take it from an old, wet, sneezing motorcycle rider ... best to stay out of the rain.

After the first 30 seconds it's no fun. It's dank, dirty, dreary, dismal, damp, depressing, dingy, dispiriting, doleful, downcast, drab, dull and DANGEROUS!

Have FUN in the SUN.

Best wishes from THEWETBLANKET ...

[robin]

Thank goodness i live in the sunny okanagan--under 10 inches of rain per year--also very temperate for Canada--pic is my friend Andy his self made 8 speed gearbox

[5-7HEAVEN]

Too late, MichiganMike. Like robin, it's mostly sunny here.


I rode "The Whizzard" to Home Depot six miles away and bought two sets of rubber gloves and rubber boots.

One compete raingear set will be stowed at work, the other at home.

"The Iron Dragon" is awaiting a suspension fork and a huge downhill racer-type front disc brake for wet weather and extreme performance.

The $$ I save from not commuting by car will easily pay for bike upgrades.

[brisbane_boy]

good to hear the money is goin bak into the bike.
I knew a guy who was a semi-pro cyclist and a sponcer said they would buy him his bike if he promissed to ride 30km a day wearing their logo. rain hail or shine

[skyl4rk]

I have commuted by bicycle every day, rain or shine, although I do not do it anymore. The best gear I found for rainy riding was a rain cape. Rain capes are like ponchos with straps that fit over your hands and the front handlebars. It makes sort of a tent over you and the bike. The problem with rain suits is that you end up getting soaked in sweat, although with a motored bike there is less of a problem with that. The rain cape gives you lots of ventilation while still keeping you dry. I'm not sure it is good for high speeds though. I don't know where to buy one, the one I had I got in Germany and it was ancient, campmor.com used to have one but doesn't seem to be there now.