As per title really one of my uncles is keen to get a breathable cycling cape to help him train for a LEJOG ride next year.

I have discussed modern cycling jackets with taped seams etc but his heart is set on a cape, with breathable fabric to protect him from the rain but allow sweat to escape.

I couldn’t think of anywhere to look except here!

All help appreciated, I hope I am still cycling when I am his age!

Get the carradice one! Best dressed lejogger ever!

They might even do you a deal with a pipe and some tweed plus fours!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cycle-Pro-Cyclepro-Cape-Yellow/dp/B001F0QEHM

They dont half hold the wind, but very cool to ride in, havent used one since the seventies.

Either http://www.extrauk.co.uk/product/detail/John_Boultbee/Jackets_and_Capes/2631/

or

http://www.extrauk.co.uk/product/detail/John_Boultbee/Jackets_and_Capes/2099/

Only one i have seen is by Brooks, not cheap, more traditonal waxed cotton. They may have others.
Rapha ?

Maybe wildcat or alpkit would make one to order. Material should be fairly easy to get, and basicly a tarp with a head hole and taped edges. Should be easy enough for someone with access to a sewing machine to do one.

Non cycling, walkers still use poncho’s or cape’s, mostly cheap, might be some breatheable ones. Think Trekmates might do one, haven’t seen a posh gore/event fabric version.

Tell you what though cape plus no muddies…. unpleasant. Ask me how I know.

Excellent, thanks all.

3 options within 5 mins of posting!

Now can anyone help with the correct lottery numbers for saturday? 😆

joshvegas – how do you know?

wilkinsons for a tenner?

Water off a ducks back do a classy one.

Quick google-fu

“Water off a ducks back” brand, found an unpriced out of stock listing on Evans, breathable and machine washable.

Trekmate’s are £20-30 for walking poncho.

Cape and no muddies = all the spray whooshs up underneath your cape 🙂

EDIT beaten to ducks 🙂

libongo001 – Member
joshvegas – how do you know?

It involves dog poo and the fact you have to lift a cape over your head.

This company: Hilltrek do some traditional all-weather cycling clothing and also some made to measure in ventile. I was there on Saturday and the nice owner showed me a red cycling jacket that looked like something from the 1950s. He assured me all the long distance cyclists loved it. I can’t see it on the website but send him an email I’m sure he will sort you out.

probably a silly question, but what happens when its wet and windy? Do you turn into a kite or does the cape just blow up and over your face like an umbrella turning inside out?

I thought only continentals used capes

Did I mention that is is a continental?

(Not really)

They’re not the most aero option

Joshvegas….. thats proper nasty with the poo 🙂

Extra speed with a tail wind though Mcmoonter

No Capes !
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNUbPRj9TGM[/video]

Maybe not quite what you have in mind but …

I use / carry a ripstop ‘army poncho’ (about ~£15.00 from lots of military supply places). It’s not ideal for riding in, (actually it’s kinda rubbish for riding in 😉 ) but you can at least tie / tuck it up a bit to make it more manageable on the bike, (and a bit more protective off it).

Where they are genuinely useful tho’ is sitting out brief, grotty spells of weather if there isn’t much [other] shelter around and you get caught out. Definitely saves you getting too chilled and wet waiting for stuff to blow over, plus it’s something to sit on. No arms tho’.

I’ve always got one in my bag for my winter expeditions (an’ I also carry bothy bag now too, but that’d be impossible to ride in! 😯 ).

That ^ was about 30 seconds before a particularly vicious hailstorm pinned me in against that embankment, but I was still 100x more comfortable in it than I would have been without it.

G-g-g-g-g-ghost cyclist!