Rainy Weather Apparel (for cycling)

Brief overview of gear used for rainy rides + other gear notes. Nearly all of these items are gear which I have tested first, and then posted on my online gear site: eoGEAR.

1. Shower cap on helmet. I now use a commercial one and cut a slit for my headlamp.
2. Goretex style jacket (i.e waterproof breathable). Look for something that is factory seam sealed. A wind jacket is not enough for constant, cold rain. (2010 update: I now use and really like the ultra compact bright-colored fluorescent lime-green Craft Performance Rain Jacket. It is amazing as it breathes quite well for one providing such remarkable rain protection).
3. Neoprene gloves. Designed for scuba diving and 3mm thick. Perfect for terribly days like this.
4. Rainlegs. Keeps rain over your lower body. Super lightweight and worth their weight in gold. Keeps you warmer too.
5. Grocery sacks on my shoes to keep rain out. Despite using Merino wool socks, I still got cold feet. I now pack neoprene cycling toe warmers if the weather looks bad or a pair of Craft rain booties that cover my entire shoe. For one recent long rainy ride (2013 Gold Rush 1200K), I did use thin neoprene socks (instead of over booties or toe warmers) and while they kept my feet warm, they seemed spongy and I felt I was loosing power to the pedals.
6. Aerobars. I think I’ll write an entire article why I like them, especially the Syntace C2 or C3 Clip Ons. Super thin and lighter than most carbon fiber models.
7. Vinyl cue sheet holder. Custom made and attached to the aerobars (can’t see in photo). A godsend for memory deprived people like me.
8. Top tube bag (just behind the bars). This enables me to eat on the fly. With layers of clothing including a reflective vest, it is hard to get out of your rear jersey pockets. Oh, that is my design, the eoGEAR Top Tube Brevet Bag.
9. Pump. A mini-floor pump with a hose. No hose, no pressure. You can place the base of this on the ground and apply body weight. This is simply no way to get 120 PSI from one without a hose. I use the Topeak Mini Morph with Gauge. Lezyne makes some good models too.
10. Saddle. Unpadded suspension leather style. Selle An-Atomica. I DNFed on my first 1200 attempt because of saddle sore issues.
11. Rear seat post bag. Big enough for extra clothes, after the weather turns warm. Detours High Tail EXP UL was my favorite for 400K + rides. I now make my line of bags called the eoGEAR RandoBags.
12. Tires. Maxxis Refuse 25s (700 x 25c). Softer ride than 23s. Besides, I’m 6-4 and with that height I pack more weight than the average 5-10 rider. I inflate the front to 110 PSI and the rear to 110 or perhaps 115 max. (2012 update: Continental Grand Prix 4000 S or the 4-Season are my new preferred tires).
13. Gearing. Compact double chainring (front). I use a special French-made 33 ring in the front (instead of the stock 34) for more climbing power when tired. Combine that with a 10-speed 12-27 cassette (shown) and you are in pretty good shape. I plan to upgrade to a 11-28 or 12-28 when that one wears out. That new combination will give me the equivalent of a triple in front and a 12-25 in the back. (2012 update: Shimano 12/30 cassette,10 speed is now in use.)
14. Oh the bike! Yeah, a stock frame with pretty traditional racing geometry. Low end model with a blend of carbon fiber and aluminum (joints). 61cm. Head tube too short for me. Still shopping for something better. 20 or 21 lbs. without extras. Fezzari CR2. Manufacture direct pricing. (Since then I have purchased a Rocky Mountain carbon and a second-hand Seven Ti road bikes).

What have I missed? Shoes and pedals? I used stock racing-type pedals and shoes that season, but I have switched to something better for rando rides. More to come later on that. When I get time—if I get time!

Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum View all posts by Rando Richard