This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Have you tried waterproof socks? I don't know if you'd still run into the issue of being unable to find an appropriate size but I've got a pair of these that I wear whenever it's chucking it down. I've spent 8 hours in torrential rain and my feet have still been dryish before. Don't believe the claim that they're breathable though.

My waterproof socks failed me this morning. I think they filled up from the top and then didn't
release the water being waterproof etc.

They do that - but then the bonus is your feet are submerged in a warm bath for the duration of your journey.

I like the dexshell stuff. Recently bought their ‘thoughshield’ gloves and looking forward to putting them through their paces this winter. Last year I went through 4 pairs of gloves while cycling.. hoping these will be tough enough to survive. Only problem is they’re a bit warm, will probably need a non waterproof pair as well :/

What do people do to keep their legs dry?

I was saying this the other day. You can buy plenty of expensive shoes, overshoes, jackets, gloves but mostly legs are left to get wet unless you were big over trousers.
I had some winter tights with a waterproof treatment and they were amazing but after a year and many washes, they’re not waterproof any more. Could reproof I suppose

I’ve been wearing a poncho, which is actually quite good at keeping your legs dry for short rides / commmutes but not good enough for super heavy rain + being on bike for ages as it needs too much attention to make sure your legs are covered. Not really a Robin Hood sorta cyclist but will check out some winter tights. Do you wear them under trousers? Too hot?

I've used waterproof socks before, during my rowing days (I had SealSkinz). My experience was that they tend to still let a bit of water in from the top, but yeah, they're not a bad solution. The only issue is that I'd prefer to keep the shoes somewhat dry too as I think it'll damage them in the long run if they get soaking wet over and over...

HebTroCo 177 moleskin trousers. They're incredibly thick, and while I imagine rain would get through eventually, they're surprisingly waterproof for short rides at least.

Guessing that's another entry into the golf club thread.

Own up. Which one of you is this?

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Watched a guy drive down Wandsworth bridge road with both hands on his phone, neither on his steering wheel. Usual excuses of 'I'm not even moving' and 'I'm late for work'. Think he was an estate agent. Is there a current procedure for dobbing people like this in? Aside from wearing a gopro all the time

Remember his plates? If so then road safe, I believe. or if you know which estate agent then send them an email, though that's maybe a tad harsh? (then again it would be harsh to run someone over whilst on the phone)

Don't remember plates. I vaguely remember there being something about needing footage 30 seconds before and after an incident for someone to be prosecuted. I have emailed/rang companies in the past to complain about dangerous driving but there were no logos on this guys car (only think he was an estate agent because of his new-ish golf and cheap suit)

I encountered a women driving in today with her left arm in a cast. Elbow to fingers, no way she good grip the steering wheel. Hope she didn't need to stop quickly or her face was gonna hit the wheel.

The only issue is that I'd prefer to keep the shoes somewhat dry too as I think it'll damage them in the long run if they get soaking wet over and over...

this + mine start to stink pretty bad if i don't get them dried out.

i hate wearing full shoe covers - i've been wearing galibier toe covers this week to offer a bit of protection. they're quite long so almost manage to cover the laced area of my shoes.

mine start to stink pretty bad if i don't get them dried out.

True, you need to kind of wring them out, dry them a bit, turn them inside out, let them dry out, and then turn them... outside in? and let them dry out completely. At least that was what worked for me.

One other problem I encountered was that they weren't very durable, but that was likely due to walking on the hard in front of the boathouse in just my socks, so it shouldn't be that much of an issue with cycling.

i meant my shoes stinking rather than socks or overshoes.
i can change my socks, but i've only got one pair of cycling shoes.

don't really see much point in waterproof socks if the water's getting into my shoes anyway.

Oh I see, I was thinking of the waterproof socks. True.

don't really see much point in waterproof socks if the water's getting into my shoes anyway.

If it's a bit colder than it is now, it makes a massive difference to how warm your feet feel. Cold and wet feet is an easy way to get close to hypothermia.

Shoes not going ultra rank: some shoes (some Giro, the new rapha ones) don't have absorbent padded lining, much more like a proper leather shoe.

Found they dry really well and aren't dreadful on the nose because they aren't like sponges...

Never used them but saw these recommended somewhere.

https://www.endurasport.com/Stealth-Lite-II-Tight/p/bE5027

Spendy mind.

Are we talking about keeping your legs or your trousers dry? I usually wear shorts if it's raining. My legs dry out pretty damn quick compared to trousers.

Just DWR coat whatever bottoms you want?

Not sure how to DWR my bottom. Dip n sit?

Question: anyone else noticed the same silver car being parked squarely on CS8 every morning this week so far? It's at this precise spot, I've been cycling past it around 9ish this week. No one in it, it's just there, as if it was a parking space.

I'm starting to get a little bit aggro about it. (By 'little' I mean a lot)

I only cycle in once a week, and passing that point after 9am, will look for it when I do.