This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Also - only have the roadie bike to ride at the moment. So wet bum.

And wet feet, as my shoe covers (Castelli) are, apparently, completely useless.

roadspraytasteinmouth/10

The older cotton one: http://www.brooksengland.com/de_eu/blog/john-boultbee-oxford-rain-cape.html

Stepped outside, almost instantly wet through and shivering. Got changed and took public transport. Massive mistake. 2 hours with schoolkids who now appear to speak an entirely new language compared to the last time I got the bus.

Of course, now it is nearly sunny in town.

And I learned a trick with it.

Wear a cap under it to give the hood structure. The cape will waterproof it and the beak, and the cap underneath will take the sweat and give the cape shape.

I went shorts and t-shirt and embraced the wet. Change of clothes in my waterproof bag and all the fun on quiet cycle-paths.

Grin/10

I was halfway to the shed when lightening struck so close that I was temporarily dazzled. I promptly bottled it and enclosed myself in the public mobile faraday cages.

Egg layer/10

I'm not tall enough to worry about lightning and the weather is warm enough that getting wet is no big deal. Riding in the rain is a bit of a strange pleasure, the air feels fresh and oxygenated, the usual pillocks-on-bikes are all sitting on the tube and everyone thinks you're some tough nut for braving the rain.

^This.

Yep. Lots of fun in the rain.

You're tough.

Don't be fooled, this post is just to distract everyone from the fact that middleofnowhere bedwet the TnNRC last night.

#potkettleblack

Ah, you edited that. :)

Lost my cape back in June - ordered a replacement from Carradice yesterday, woke up this morning and it was pissing down.

Timing fail.

I ordered a jacket from Showers Pass yesterday, similar timing fail.

people on scooters

Some guy the other day on London Bridge n/b at the north end, trying to mix it up on the road with average-speed traffic. Definitely a knob.

I never arrive bone-dry in my Endure rain jacket, it gets clammy like a sauna after a while :(

Are there any better materials these days? Same problem for me with Gore Paclite.

Getting wee man on the tandem later, a 12 mile roundtrip on something that weighs and moves like an army tank. He greatly enjoys it though and so do I, you both get to chat and exercise at the same time.

I don't think there's a material out there that will both keep out rain properly and allow you to breathe enough for high levels of exertion on a bike - especially in the warmer months.

I'm a cape fan as at least you get the airflow underneath, and your thighs stay dry, but I know they're not for everyone.

Just remind yourself people pay good money to visit a sauna...

Double layered Ventile® does a pretty good job of keeping rain out and still breathing out of any dryish bits. Pricey stuff.

I don't think there's a material out there that will both keep out rain properly and allow you to breathe enough for high levels of exertion on a bike - especially in the warmer months.

Skin

Skin

It puts the lotion in the basket, or it gets the hose again

It puts the lotion in the basket, or it gets the hose again

One of the best scenes in Gremlins.

https://youtu.be/lcITGNWtoIc

I just need to add some river mud and I can call it a spa... :)

Tx I had a look and indeed very ££££

@JWestland You're welcome! The last Ventile jacket I had lasted about 6 years of very hard use before getting a bit tatty. Just bought a new (bright orange!) one, and asked Hilltrek nicely to supply some fabric to repair my old one (now for dogwalking etc duties). Which they did gratis.

Despite the ££ I heartily recommend them.