Question for Those who commute in all weather

[chris4652009]

Due to car issues I'll be commuting on one of my bikes regardless of the weather this week.

My question for those who do:
How do you dry your kit each evening?

Thanks in advance
Chris

[Caddyshack]

chris4652009 said:

Due to car issues I'll be commuting on one of my bikes regardless of the weather this week.

My question for those who do:
How do you dry your kit each evening?

Thanks in advance
Chris

I think the key is to have some waterproofs over your kit so it doesn’t get wet in the first place.

You can buy kit drying cabinets etc but I think correct layering is the key.

[OverSteery]

No matter how expensive and waterproof you super technical multi-layer bonded Gortex suit, put a set of waterproofs over the top when it's anything more than a shower.

Waterproofs will pretty much shake dry.

I always found evening was the lesser issue of what you do during the day.

Boots under the desk and expect to wince when you put them back on.


If you can work for a company / location with dedicated bike and kit area that's a real bonus!


Scott are good. (https://www.scott-sports.com/gb/en/product/scott-ergonomic-pro-dp-rain-jacket)

[Biker9090]

My textiles are laminated so don't tend to wet out so much.

In REALLY heavy rain I use an Oxford Rainseal jacket.

[hiccy18]

In the depths of winter I understand your concerns, having gear that's soggy all the time for a few weeks is rotten. Length of commute could be a factor as mine has never been much over 30 minutes, but at this time of year I've never had a problem. Nowadays laminate kit helps a lot: we got caught whilst touring a couple of years back, spending nearly eight hours in properly biblical conditions, yet the following morning my jacket was bone dry. I'm a recent convert to base layers and wear them all year.

ETA: But keep your kit in the house, it doesn't dry overnight in a cold garage.

[DirtyHarley]

If its is absolutely soaked I hang it on the shower rail in the bathroom with the dehumidifier running full whack overnight - pretty much always dry by the morning, boots are the only ones that are a bit of a bd to get dry. Added bonus is the Mrs can chuck some bits of washing up too and get those dry whilst the dehumidifer is on; costs abou £1.50 for running for 8 hours on full whack which is acceptable.

Arriving at work I'm fortunate to have a mildly warm empty corner that I can hang it in; its never completely dry after getting thoroughly soaked but isnt awaful, the boots I stuff with towels which I replace halfywa through the day with dry ones - they are normally OK to put back on without being unpleasantly wet still when its time to go home.

For this week I'll be wearing my summer gear and just throwing over a waterproof suit if its looking to be anything more than a light drizzle as I am royally tired of being dressed up like the michellin man in my heavy duty winter kit!

[HairyMaclary]

Rarely does it rain to the point of drowning on the way in and the on the way home. Usually one or the other and rarely the next day although putting damp kit on is minging.

I've got Oxford advance laminated kit which is great and dries quickly but I can't find a decent pair of gloves that stay dry in prolonged rain. My sidi adventure 2 gortex boots are well worth the cost.

As others have said chuck light weight over clothes on. I've got the Oxford rainseal stuff which is decent and doubles up as a warm layer in the winter.

Dry gear in the house and let drop dry in the shower if it's soaked.

Edited by HairyMaclary on Monday 1st April 22:34

[Caruso]

I would avoid textiles with a waterproof inner layer as it takes forever for the outside to dry. Better off with a waterproof outer layer.

I hang my stuff up in the utility room to dry. Sometimes it's still a bit damp in the morning but at least it's warm and damp. A spare set of gloves will improve your quality of life!

[chris4652009]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions everyone

I arrived at work dry this morning, so that was nice. Forecast is for rain this afternoon, so will probably be drying my waterproofs in the spare room hung over the back of chairs, next to a dehumidifier overnight.

My waterproof gear is Alpinestar Andes, so far I have been dry while wearing them in even heavy rain. However, they do seem to hold water and take quite a while to dry out fully.

[Pedro Raynard]

I’m a cyclist….remember reading a few years back, that if you cycle to work and home every day, over a year, you’ll get wet 8 times. I found April and May to be the worst, there can be some very heavy “April shower” downpours even in May.

There is of course the discussion of what counts as getting wet.

Regarding gloves, recently did a winter skills walking course, the advice was if you‘ve got £100 for a pair of gloves, buy 3 pairs with it. Now matter how much you spend on gloves, they will get wet. It really does work, putting dry gloves on part way through the day, especially when it's stopped raining.

[OverSteery]

Pedro Raynard said:

I’m a cyclist….remember reading a few years back, that if you cycle to work and home every day, over a year, you’ll get wet 8 times. I found April and May to be the worst, there can be some very heavy “April shower” downpours even in May.

There is of course the discussion of what counts as getting wet.

Regarding gloves, recently did a winter skills walking course, the advice was if you‘ve got £100 for a pair of gloves, buy 3 pairs with it. Now matter how much you spend on gloves, they will get wet. It really does work, putting dry gloves on part way through the day, especially when it's stopped raining.

Strike me more as a reminder not to believe everything you read....

[camb10]

Get some boot dryers - I got husqvarna ones but any ski boot warmer will do, all about £20 - dries the boot from the inside, can also be used on gloves in a pinch. And also good for the kids footy boots to stop them cluttering up the radiator

[HybridTheory]

Been riding to work for a good few years and tbh don’t really get wet very often

[cpszx]

you need laminated waterproof gear if you want it to dry out quickly, especially if it stops raining before you arrive.

however, if you finish your journey and its still raining, it can still take a little while to dry,

but nothing like as long as dry gear with a waterproof layer which is really only suitable for showers, not full on rain.

the investment in laminated gear is worth it if you are in the rain regularly.

however, easy to chuck on plastic rain cover jacket and trousers and the most cost effective and extremely reliable, as well as quick to dry.

[stepaway]

Might be an expensive option for you, but I have an automotive refinishing spray booth at work - stick it all in there and whack it on a 45 minute bake cycle and I'm good to go again!

At home same as everyone else, bring it inside near a radiator rather than leave in the garage.

[SteelerSE]

cpszx said:

you need laminated waterproof gear if you want it to dry out quickly, especially if it stops raining before you arrive.

however, if you finish your journey and its still raining, it can still take a little while to dry,

but nothing like as long as dry gear with a waterproof layer which is really only suitable for showers, not full on rain.

the investment in laminated gear is worth it if you are in the rain regularly.

however, easy to chuck on plastic rain cover jacket and trousers and the most cost effective and extremely reliable, as well as quick to dry.

This.

Mine kit hangs up in the utility room when it's rained heavily and it's dry by morning. The same at work, particularly as it has air con which always helps. The thing that can be a problem is gloves but I use handlebar muffs which mean that the gloves stay dry. The plastic overkit is a much cheaper way of staying dry but with the textiles I just put them over the top of my work clothes, too easy. All personal preference obviously.

[chris4652009]

HybridTheory said:

Been riding to work for a good few years and tbh don’t really get wet very often

I am surprised to hear that it feels like it’s rained non-stop since last June lol

[chris4652009]

cpszx said:

you need laminated waterproof gear if you want it to dry out quickly, especially if it stops raining before you arrive.

however, if you finish your journey and its still raining, it can still take a little while to dry,

but nothing like as long as dry gear with a waterproof layer which is really only suitable for showers, not full on rain.

the investment in laminated gear is worth it if you are in the rain regularly.

however, easy to chuck on plastic rain cover jacket and trousers and the most cost effective and extremely reliable, as well as quick to dry.

Thank you I’m hoping this week is a one off

[W12JFD]

I’m a year round commuter and tourer- after many years and a lot of kit tried it’s a Scott rain jacket and pants and whatever is temperature / risk appropriate underneath. Decent boots are essential for me. Gloves always leak in the end, I think Oxford do some over gloves so that’s next on the list for long tours.

[Steve_H80]

A cheap waterproof jacket and trousers from any outdoor or army surplus shop over your regular riding kit. It will keep you dry, packs small and dries out quickly.
About £20 each.