My hundred mile lessons in the rain!!!

[bombadillo]

Well, I was going to go on a ride from my house about 20 miles south and pick up a friend, and we did a hundred miles on highway 36 here in northern california.  It was pretty much raining the whole time.  At first it was a novelty that it was raining and me being a new rider not knowing how not waterproof the "100% waterproof" jackets are, rode with my fieldsheer congo sport jacket.  It was great at first and then it just started getting a really wet crotch.  My core pretty much stayed dry as well as my shoulders and neck surprisingly.  My crotch on the other hand was wet as could be.  My butt was wet, crotch, and the gloves that the guy at the shop said were waterproof are going back tommorow.  I ended up buying some track style gloves and they were waterproof according to the idiots down there. 

My lessons are basically this:

1. Don't ride in the rain for more than about 25 miles without proper gear because it pretty much sucks.

2. Buy Hi-tec waterproof boots because they rock the house and keep you warm.

3. Buy absolutely waterproof gloves that say it on the packaging. 

4. your crotch makes a great rain catch with snowboarding pants on.

[nastynate6695]

why are you wearing snowboarder pants in Ca  in june.....It cant be that bad can it..

[makenzie71]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=30998.0

At least you didn't have to ride through an entire town that was literally under water.

[bombadillo]

as for riding in california, come up to northern california sometime in june and even july.  Last 4th of july we watched the colored fog with all the fireworks because its always foggy and rainy till then.  As far as riding in a flooded city, I'll trade for a boat if it comes to that.  Northern cal gets a lot a lot a lot of rain.  Its like seattle only slightly warmer.  It only gets to be about 75-80* tops in the summertime here.

[debtman7]

Ugh, I need some emergency rain gear... Torn between the nelson-rigg ax-1 suit, tour master 2 piece defender suit and the frogg toggs. Frogg toggs seem to win on packing smallest and breathing, but I hear they also melt on hot engine parts...

[bombadillo]

frogs are great!!!  I've had them around here but as for melting, I don't know how they'd do.  Why would you be rubbing them against hot engine parts anyway??

[debtman7]

frogs are great!!!  I've had them around here but as for melting, I don't know how they'd do.  Why would you be rubbing them against hot engine parts anyway??

Sometimes I just can't resist rubbing the hot engine parts. I know it's wrong.

Ahem.

Yeah I dunno, it just seems like every now and then you might brush up against the exhaust or block or something and melt a hole. They also seem pretty thing, makes me wonder if they'd hold up well enough on a naked bike with the wind trying to rip them to shreds.

[RVertigo]

100% waterproof boots!!!  I got the Sidi Way Tepor.  You can stick your feel in a pool for two hours... NO WET!

As far as the rest...  Even Gore-Tex has a failure point.  Pressure will cause it to fail (IOW, your butt gets wet when you sit on a wet for hours).  You can buy plastic (non-breathable) rain jackets and pants that go over your regular gear...  That way you get all the protection of your leather and all the waterproof of plastic.  Waterproof gloves... Well, mine are waterproof-breathable... So, they'll eventually fail, but it has yet to happen.  Too bad they're winter gloves and too damn hot to wear in summer rain.

[debtman7]

Ok, just ordered a bright yellow frogg togg suit on eBay, $40 isn't too shabby.

Now I just need some booties Or take my chances and just try some waterproof spray on my work boots...

[pbureau69]

I have the fieldsheer 2 Pc rainsuit, and its waterproof... so much so if it is 80+ ouotside its like a sauna.. but you aint wet from rain (go figure)... rubberized PVC suit.. works well for the time I really care not to get wet (which is rarely.)

[ducati_nolan]

Most of the riding gear that claims to be waterproof is only water resistant and is only good for an hour or so.

I cary some regular rainpants and rain coat that fits over my regular gear. It's coated nylon and works well and is cheap.

Unless you plan on riding in the rain often Just get the cheap PVC or nylon rain gear it works well and packs down nice and small. Of course if you're going to ride in the rain frequently, I'd get a one piece winter riding suit.

rubber gloves under your riding gloves help a lot in a pinch too.

[mp183]

I think there is a $1,000,000 prize for the first person that finds a pair of waterproof gloves.

[oppy00]

I've got some 100% waterproof gloves, where do I get my $1000000?


Seriously, I've suggested this before, but just go to a restaurant supply store and buy some industrial strength rubber(or PVC or Nylon) kitchen gloves.  Buy them in really super big size so you can put them over your normal gloves.  These gloves will come up to your mid forearm, and easily tuck under your sleeves.  The only way water can get in is by running down your arm.

[mp183]

I got a pair of rubber gloves in Home Depot.
Big size.
Only problem is that these gloves are not curved enough
to make them comfortable for any extended period of time.
I only use them in really cold weather.  When it's warmer I don't
care if I get wet.  If it's really cold you get snow and not rain, so
there is a narrow window when I can use them.
Had them on last summer coming back from James Bay in Canada
and they did help but can't see wearing them for more than a few hours.