I am NEVER riding in weather like that again..

I definitely DON’T wear ordinary clothes for any outdoor sports where the weather is a bit changeable or just crap to start with.
Take your average cotton t-shirt or long sleeved t. They get so waterlogged/heavy when they get wet. Then as it doesn’t evaporate off easily, they just sit cold & clammy against your skin. A decent base layer is important I reckon.

I try & buy stuff in the sales but decent winter clothing does tend to add up – especially if you ride often and need a few of everything.

core temp is critical the extremities may be uncomfortable but it wont kill you

So if I stick my feet and hands in a bucket of ice water but my body stays dry and warm my hands and feet will be fine?

And it will kill you if your hands are too numb to work the brakes. Frostbite is pretty nasty as well.

Keeping your hands and feet warm isn’t just about ‘surviving’ is it?

If I’m out on a ride and my hands/feet are getting cold/wet/numb then I am much more likely to go home early and had a less enjoyable time than if they stay warm & dry.

2 hours, 35 miles

my OP was about road riding, maybe didn’t make that clear

No, I’d say you made it pretty clear 🙂

In the past, I’ve gone out cycling because it’s raining, but only XC, can imagine that road riding in the rain would be even more unpleasant than normal.

I’ve gone out cycling because it’s raining

You should probably go see a doctor or a therapist about this.

weirdly I don’t mind so much if it starts raining when I’m already cycling, but the idea of starting in the rain…not a chance. Don’t mind it when I’m running though…

Was discussing this with someone in the week, we agreed it’s a defiance thing… “f*ck you, weather”. So now realman I’m talking to the rain, maybe you meant psychiatrist 😉 Running in the rain is LOVELY.

I did a big route in the Glencoe area the other day. I got soaked in the first half an hour. I ended up cold, wet, hungry and exhausted. The conditions made what was already scary, challenging, technical riding (for me anyway) much harder but I finished the day with a huge sense of satisfaction and look back at it with very fond memories. I think that’s what mountain biking is all about amongst other things.

RealMan – Member

There is no such thing as bad weather – only the wrong clothes

Yeah but the right clothes don’t actually exist. For example, I am yet to find a pair of thin, comfortable, completely waterproof, very warm (but still breathable) gloves.

scott enduro (motorcycle) neoprene gloves…they get warm when wet…trust me there ace… 😮

these will keep your hands going…

Running in the rain is LOVELY.

Yeah, it really is. But that’s only because its easier to stay warm, you don’t get a constant spray in your face and eyes, and you don’t have a bike to clean when you get back.

coastkid, just looked them up. They look pretty much identical to my spesh ones I used today. My hands were very cold.

my hands rarely get cold…my feet on the other hand…Jesus it was painful when they came ‘back to life’ the other night.

Mrs julian has looked at this thread. You’re talking about exeter/east datmoor way this aftenoon, right?

She was out on east dartmoor over lunchtime with another lass in blow-you-over crosswinds, rain and hail in summer shoes and gloves, both of them still laughing after 4 hours in it.

I looked after the children and went to the pet shop for some rabbit treats, so I am unable to comment on the unseasonable conditions myself, but mrs julian suggests you should man up a bit. 😀

RealMan – Member
……….its easier to stay warm, you don’t get a constant spray in your face and eyes, and you don’t have a bike to clean when you get back.

MTFU Get mudguards and don’t be so precious about the bike.

jw I don’t like your missus 😀

What tj? I was talking in comparison with running lol. I was saying its nicer that you don’t have to clean a bike when you come back from a run.

And you expect me to buy everyone else I cycle with mudguards too? 🙄

If you watch how people train in winter you’ll never complain like a girl again.

Should have watched chasing legends at the movies – never complain again about $hit weather or pain again!

And what T.J. MTFU or give up riding in the U.K. and move somewhere warm and dry?

On the subject of sealskinz gloves, anyone tried these?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/SealSkinz_Extra_Cold_Weather_Cycling_Glove/5360052510/
If so, how good are they at stopping the wet?

I’ve got them – more toasty than properly waterproof but were grand in really cold and wet winter we had last year.

As mentioned above – no such thing as bad weather only the wrong clothes – I’ve given up trying to find properly waterproofs that don’t make me dripping wet from sweat after more than 1/2 an hour of hard riding on the bike. I’ve tried everything from all varieties of Gore-tex, eVent, cheap and nasty to £££. Now it’s just decent layers, a good windproof gilet, a cap or buff under the helmet, thick bibs and some proper gloves.

I love riding in the driving rain or snow when there’s no-one else about, be it on the road or off-road. Had some fun commutes last winter too – 15 miles in -8, up to 6 inches of snow and not a soul to be seen:

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I don’t do this roadbike chaingang thing but I thought the etiquette was mudguards in the rain.

Oh look, there’s a pic of TJ wearing a backpack and helmet…

ruddy winter mate. Helmet for riding on ice, backpack for survival kit. could have died you know. I’m well ‘ard me

I thought the etiquette was mudguards in the rain.

Would be nice if it was.

woffle,

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/SealSkinz_Extra_Cold_Weather_Cycling_Glove/5360052510/

Are these your gloves of choice when facing cold wet weather then? How bulky are they?

was you in this years mary townly loop ???? try that for 7 and a half hours in constant rain and wind = winner

woffle,

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/SealSkinz_Extra_Cold_Weather_Cycling_Glove/5360052510/

Are these your gloves of choice when facing cold wet weather then? How bulky are they?

Yup – my winter gloves – they’re quite bulky – I’d try them on first if possible and I’m sure they’d not be to everyone’s taste. Great when it’s really, really wet and cold, as mentioned did me proud last winter, 3+ hours of snow and no problems. Seem to be standing up to a decent amount of usage well too which is always a bonus – I seem to get through kit at a rate.

Otherwise I wear a pair of much lighter Specialized gloves with some liners – much thinner but no-where near as warm…

weirdly I don’t mind so much if it starts raining when I’m already cycling, but the idea of starting in the rain…not a chance. Don’t mind it when I’m running though…

Agree with that, I love riding in the rain, but its just that much harder to motivate yourself to go out.

ahh just mtfu
this was one the best rides ever

one of the guys managed with his right shoe still at home

saying that this trip to the peaks was a bit grim

Quality.

OP I take it you wear clear lens riding specs? use some rainx to help you see better or washing up liquid (hydrophobic coating)

😐

Heres a mad idea. Have more than one hobby. On really bad days do the other hobby? After all our weekends are precious and for enjoyment no? 🙂

Anna B – Member
2 hours, 35 miles
my OP was about road riding, maybe didn’t make that clear
No, I’d say you made it pretty clear

RealMan – Member
..Until next time anyway.

Fair weather cyclists of a nervous disposition should stop reading now.

Why does anyone go out and ride in that sort of weather? We only did 2 hours, 35 miles or something, so it probably hasn’t given my fitness a huge boost or anything. The bikes pretty filthy, so are my clothes. I was freezing and soaked. Did I enjoy it though? I don’t know. I do know I was feeling pretty ill but decided to go out anyway, and now I feel better (after about 40 minutes in the shower trying to regain feeling in my feet).

Do you enjoy riding in horrible weather? Or maybe its just that we enjoy riding so much, we enjoy riding despite the horrible weather.

Either way, the rules are righteous.

Rule 9:
If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

I’m going to buy a load of waterproof socks and gloves, and maybe some mudguards. Then I’m going to bed I think.

Might be able to fit a ride in tomorrow actually..

Can you show me where in the OP, road riding is made pretty clear? 😕

I just figured that an average speed of 17.5mph was unlikely to have been gained off road, through the mud, in the rain.

No such thing as bad weather, it’s just weather.

Pertex, merino, Tesco woollie gloves. Problem solved.

Don’t stay dry, stay warm.

Weather like THAT is what Buffalo shirts were made for. Look stupid, feel smug.

Bad weather riding is fun, mud is fun.
Don’t like spending yonks cleaning bike.
(No don’t want a SS)

Weather like THAT is what Buffalo shirts were made for. Look stupid, feel smug.

I borrowed by brother-in-law’s Buffalo shirt once for a ride in the snow. I sweated a lot. Same with Rab smock too – fine for wandering through the woods on a walk with the kids, 20 minutes riding and I’m dripping with sweat…

When its proper Gharstley, Paramo.

Se my picture up there. Buffalo is what i’m wearing there.