Riding a bike in the rain

[ChucklingJawa]

I live in a relatively small city compared to Toyko. The infrastructure and transportation is extrememly limited and restrictive, so as you can imagine i use my bicycle a lot. On warm sunny days it is great and on hot humid days not so much, but at least bearable. However, i also ride my bike in the rain on occasion, so i often use an umbrella while on the back roads, which are pretty empty. I saw a man wearing a full body clear suit over his business suit recently and i am considering giving that a try.

Does anyone else have any experience of riding a bike in the rain? How do you avoid getting completely soaked?

[NorthByNorthwest]

I live in a relatively small city compared to Toyko. The infrastructure and transportation is extrememly limited and restrictive, so as you can imagine i use my bicycle a lot. On warm sunny days it is great and on hot humid days not so much, but at least bearable. However, i also ride my bike in the rain on occasion, so i often use an umbrella while on the back roads, which are pretty empty. I saw a man wearing a full body clear suit over his business suit recently and i am considering giving that a try.

Does anyone else have any experience of riding a bike in the rain? How do you avoid getting completely soaked?

For the bike:

It's a good idea to have fenders on both front and back. Otherwise you'll get water splashed up onto you.

For yourself:

For as little as Y100, you can pick up a paper-thin clear "one/few time" use rainsuit. The problem is that even the largest ones often fall short of 'gaijin-size', they are easy to rip, and in hot weather, they become a portable sauna.

For a few thousand yen, you can get a rubberized/PVC rainsuit that is more durable, but it's going to give you the same "sauna effect" in the summer. Plus, unless you have boots or shoe covers, your shoes and socks will come out soaking wet. You can pick these up at any of the large DIY stores like Honda etc.

For a lot more, rainsuits using GoreTex and other semi-permeable membrane technology will help reduce the sauna effect, but not by much. As long as the weather remains cool however, it's probably what I would consider using.

Also, you need to figure out what to do about your bag ... many are water-resistant, but unless it's one of those rubberized messenger bags, not water-proof.

[rtfm]

If you are traveling moderate distances (more than 2-3 km) consider investing in a 50cc motorbike. Much more comfortable in the summer heat as you are not generating your own heat as you move. And no problem at all in the rain as the standard bike rain kit and helmet make you impervious to anything short of a typhoon. I rode a 50cc around Tokyo for about 3 years.

[NorthByNorthwest]

If you are traveling moderate distances (more than 2-3 km) consider investing in a 50cc motorbike. Much more comfortable in the summer heat as you are not generating your own heat as you move. And no problem at all in the rain as the standard bike rain kit and helmet make you impervious to anything short of a typhoon. I rode a 50cc around Tokyo for about 3 years.

That's even better advice.

And, as long as he's not in Tokyo, he probably won't have an issue about parking/ticketing.

[Deathblob]

Go to REI next time you're in the States (or the local equivalent wherever you're from).

I tried some "waterproof" pants I got here, and ended up with a crotch that looked like I'd pissed myself with 6 beers worth. I got some gear at REI, and now I'm riding around here in the rain no problem.

[thefan]

I use a cape rather than a rain suit, it covers a rucksack, and gives better ventilation, and you can buy them over the internet

[ChucklingJawa]

These are all good ideas. I do worry about the 'wet myself' look with the plastic pants though, especially when it rains heavily. I will look into the REI pants. I will check them out online. Thanks, Deathblob.

Rtfm, I would love to get a motorcycle too but at the moment i am unable to. Motorcycles just seem more convenient all round when using them in the busy cities. I don't think i would risk taking a 50cc anywhere near fast traffic though.

Northbynorthwest, my bike is equipped with fenders luckily. I hadn't even considered the sauna effect of the summer months. I guess that the real test. I suppose it doesn't look good me starting my day at work covered in sweat.

Has anyone tried those umbrella holders that seem to be popular in Osaka?

[Deathblob]

These are all good ideas. I do worry about the 'wet myself' look with the plastic pants though, especially when it rains heavily. I will look into the REI pants. I will check them out online.

For what it's worth, I'm using the "REI Ultra Light Pants" on this page: http://www.rei.com/category/40004586

[rtfm]

Rtfm, I would love to get a motorcycle too but at the moment i am unable to.

What's the roadblock?

[hml]

You can always wear clothes for the commute and carry your work clothes in a backpack.