Biking to work in the rain...

[NewStachian]

I have been biking to work for a little while now, but my wife usually drives me when it's raining. I decided to bike for the first time in the rain since i just got mud guards installed on top of both my tires (I had issues with mud getting kicked up into my face and my back with wet ground before, so I even avoided that).

It was drizzling lightly and my work is only 1.5 miles away... but talk about an epic failure. I wore a jacket but had no pants and it started raining more heavily as I was riding... work pants now soaked to the bone. Oh, well. Time to invest in a cheap pair of weather pants.

[GuitarStv]

You're going to get wet when it's raining.  Mudguards are great, but their main purpose is to keep the drivetrain less dirty, road water out of your mouth (front) and muddy stains off of your back (rear).  Waterproof clothing doesn't breathe very well, so if you don't get soaked in rain you'll get soaked in sweat . . . and it's damned near impossible to keep your feet dry.  If you accept and plan for that though it's fine.  All summer, I try to wear as little as possible when it's raining (sports sandals, shorts, tank top) so that I'm minimizing the soggy waterlogged stuff and keep my work clothes in a plastic bag so they stay dry.

[mveill1]

There's no way you can pack work clothes separately in a bag? I go in biking shorts and breathable top, which dry out during the work day. I would think that if there are restrooms where you can change, getting into this routine will become easier.

[frugalnacho]

If it's pouring when I leave I will usually just drive, but if it's not pouring and doesn't look like it's going to then I will attempt the ride.  I got caught in the rain a few weeks ago - soaked to the bone.  Didn't have a full change of clothes with me.  Had to put a couple fans on myself to help dry out my jeans and I was a little uncomfortable all day.  The next day I brought in a full set of clothes and put them in my desk (socks, jeans, t-shirt, underwear).  I also have work boots here if I need to let my shoes dry.   Never again will I sit in wet clothes at work.

[enigmaT120]

I have good rain gear but there's no way to do my 9 miles of hills without sweating, with or without rain gear.  So I ride in one set of clothes and carry dry work clothes with me. 

[data.Damnation]

If it's raining or there is rain on the radar, I just drive in. It only happens one day a week on average.

[PindyStache]

You're going to get wet when it's raining.  Mudguards are great, but their main purpose is to keep the drivetrain less dirty, road water out of your mouth (front) and muddy stains off of your back (rear).  Waterproof clothing doesn't breathe very well, so if you don't get soaked in rain you'll get soaked in sweat . . . and it's damned near impossible to keep your feet dry.  If you accept and plan for that though it's fine.  All summer, I try to wear as little as possible when it's raining (sports sandals, shorts, tank top) so that I'm minimizing the soggy waterlogged stuff and keep my work clothes in a plastic bag so they stay dry.

+1 to this and to frugalnacho's bringing a spare change of clothes to stash at the office. Biking in the rain is wonderful, and it's not hard to bring a change of clothes. I would add to be sure to have something over your eyes in the rain, which is best practice anyway...

[frugalnacho]

Also make sure you have a rag and some chain lube.  Dry your chain off after a ride in the rain.  And relube it.  Don't just let it sit out after it's wet, it will rust.

[gooki]

My snowboarding gear doubles as my wet weather cycling kit. Very effective in keeping me dry.

[Kaminoge]

You're going to get wet when it's raining.  Mudguards are great, but their main purpose is to keep the drivetrain less dirty, road water out of your mouth (front) and muddy stains off of your back (rear).  Waterproof clothing doesn't breathe very well, so if you don't get soaked in rain you'll get soaked in sweat . . . and it's damned near impossible to keep your feet dry.  If you accept and plan for that though it's fine.  All summer, I try to wear as little as possible when it's raining (sports sandals, shorts, tank top) so that I'm minimizing the soggy waterlogged stuff and keep my work clothes in a plastic bag so they stay dry.

In summer I wear a rain coat on the top half and running shorts (short ones, not fitted ones) on the bottom if I know it's going to rain. I prefer to be soaked, skin dries much more quickly than clothes. I also find it much easier to cycle with bare wet legs than with wet trousers. I just accept the soggy feet because I don't find cycling in sandals comfortable.

I have a dry bag for my stuff (they're pretty cheap and I've been using it for years) but I also keep an "emergency" set of clothes at work in case for any reason I ever need them. Personally I don't have mud guards so when it does rain I arrive filthy. That's worse than wet. Luckily I have the option of showering.

[Iconoclast]

When there's even a slight chance it might rain, I take my rain gear along. I love riding in the rain! The air is fresh and I'm usually the only one on the bikepaths (more path for me, heehee).

This year I've had to wear the rain gear maybe three or four times, but that depends of course on where you are located.

[Cinder]

You're going to get wet when it's raining.  Mudguards are great, but their main purpose is to keep the drivetrain less dirty, road water out of your mouth (front) and muddy stains off of your back (rear).  Waterproof clothing doesn't breathe very well, so if you don't get soaked in rain you'll get soaked in sweat . . . and it's damned near impossible to keep your feet dry.  If you accept and plan for that though it's fine.  All summer, I try to wear as little as possible when it's raining (sports sandals, shorts, tank top) so that I'm minimizing the soggy waterlogged stuff and keep my work clothes in a plastic bag so they stay dry.

+1 to this and to frugalnacho's bringing a spare change of clothes to stash at the office. Biking in the rain is wonderful, and it's not hard to bring a change of clothes. I would add to be sure to have something over your eyes in the rain, which is best practice anyway...

I have rain pants/jacket at home, and a spare rain jacket at work.  I used to bike in my riding clothes (bright, obnoxiously yellow reflective shirt, athletic shorts) and I would bring my work clothes in a bag.  I've since switched to keeping my clothes at work for the week and just bringing them in/out as I need to.  I have a milk crate mounted on the back of my bike, and I keep two plastic grocery bags in my bag to double up around it for when it is raining. 

It rains, you get wet, It's not really the end of the world, and it's easy to change clothes.  We don't even have a proper changing facility here, I just use the handicap restroom stall.

[Sparky]

There really is only 3 ways you can ride in the rain:

- Get wet wearing the minimum amount of clothes. Shorts and a T-shirt. Quick to get wet, quick to dry. No insulation so only suitable in warmer weather (about +10C and about). You get dirty from the road grime though.
- Wear rain gear and get wet from the inside (sweating). Good in cooler weather.
- Get soaking wet from wearing your normal clothes. Soaking wet all day long (not comfortable at all)

Basically, riding in the rain mean getting wet.

[cbgg]

I strongly suggest packing your work clothes separately and changing once you arrive.  It'll allow you to be a lot more comfortable.  Unless it's really cold out I dislike wearing waterproof pants since they make you so sweaty when exercising.

IMO, the keys to successful riding in the rain are:
1) a really good set of fenders.  I'm not sure if when you say mudguards you are referring to fenders, or if you actually mean a mountain bike style mudguard that is meant more for trails. 
2) A change of clothes packed in a pannier.  Include shoes, socks, underwear, the whole deal.
3) A good set of lights.  When it's raining it's automatically dark and hard for cars to see you.  Make sure you've got good lights so you don't get run over.
4) A good rain jacket that is also highly visible (brightly coloured).
5) A pair of rain pants is optional for those really rainy days.
6) Glasses of some sort.  I can't STAND rain drops in my eyes when biking. 

Where I live, in the rainy pacific north west, if you aren't willing to get a little wet you'll NEVER get out biking!

[PindyStache]

There really is only 3 ways you can ride in the rain:

- Get wet wearing the minimum amount of clothes. Shorts and a T-shirt. Quick to get wet, quick to dry. No insulation so only suitable in warmer weather (about +10C and about). You get dirty from the road grime though.
- Wear rain gear and get wet from the inside (sweating). Good in cooler weather.
- Get soaking wet from wearing your normal clothes. Soaking wet all day long (not comfortable at all)

Basically, riding in the rain mean getting wet.

This is an excellent summary, thank you! (although I personally have a different threshold for "warmer weather" at around 0C)

[Mr One Wheel Drive]

I bike with a solid golf umbrella in the rain. I think that the brand is Cathaway, they sell them at Costco in pairs (one massive family size one and a smaller one that I use). You have to be used to biking one - handed.

People look at me either like I'm crazy (the sporty spandex crowd) or with interest (the euro dutch bike crowd).

I stay dry but don't get sweaty.

Also good is a wide brimmed hat like what fishermen wear in the movies to keep the rain out of your eyes. http://m.llbean.com/product.html#73225

[Cinder]

Also good is a wide brimmed hat like what fishermen wear in the movies to keep the rain out of your eyes. http://m.llbean.com/product.html#73225

I have a sou'wester, but Since I wear a helmet It won't fit on my head.  I usually put my hood up on my rain jacket and then put my helmet on overtop of it. 

[ThriftyD]

I'll usually keep several pairs of clean work slacks and button up shirts at the office and just change there.  I'll take them all in on Monday and just leave them there for the week.  I then just ride to work in athletic shorts and a t-shirt (during warm months, of course) with clean dress socks, belt, accessories, etc in a backpack.  Then when I get to work I just go into the bathroom and change into the clothes I already have at the office.  At the end of the week, the clothes that are dirty, I'll take home and wash and bring them back on Monday. 

[Upstart_Juggler]

I cycle commuted for about 3 years and always changed when I got the office, but the worst thing was on really wet days when my bike shoes hadn't dried out by going home time. My co-workers complained about wet socks on the radiators too, but that was the least of my worries.

I consoled myself with knowing that around 15 years ago Friends of the Earth calculated that in an average year there will only be 20 days when it is actually raining during your commute time, based on London where it rains on 29% of days. According to http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/US/average-annual-precipitation-by-city.php Washington DC is a little wetter than London, with rain on 114 days of the year (31%), and with your short ride you should get wet even less frequently than that.

[Patrick A]

Fenders + Rain pants + Rain Coat + Hiking boots.  I bike to work all winter in Oregon (quite rainy) and am able to remain very dry with this setup.  However, I bike only 2.9 miles and it is all flat -- so I don't have to worry about the sweat factor. 

[Glenstache]

See also MMM comments on voluntary discomfort:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/02/what-is-stoicism-and-how-can-it-turn-your-life-to-solid-gold/

I keep some spare clothes at work, and gear up on the way if I know it will be raining. Fenders are a plus. Also, with the reduced visibility on car windshields, it can be a good time to remember to turn on those bike lights.

[Kaminoge]

I think I jinxed myself by replying to this thread. It's rained every day since! Cycling in the rain is do-able but it's definitely not my favourite activity. I hope there's a change of weather soon!

[MichaelR]

For me rain is never the problem - wind can be though. Wobbling in traffic due to a strong wind is not fun.

[PindyStache]

Today brought a new twist--biking through floods! Several areas of the bike path around here have been flooded recently. Until today, with lots of rain last night, my strategy was to just build up speed, pick my feet up, and plow through what were more like large puddles across the path. Today though the water was perhaps a foot deep and was over a couple hundred feet of the path's length--I had to pedal part way through and got sopping wet feet. Next time I'm just taking the road!

[lisahi]

I've only gotten caught in the rain once, but it wasn't just rain... it was a thunder storm + flood. Not good. Given that the weather in Texas can get crazy very fast, I don't bike when the forecast calls for thunderstorms (we hardly ever just get rain; it's most often thunder/lightning/rain, which is dangerous). Add that to the fact that my city is very windy and it's just downright dangerous to bike in South Texas rain. That day I was biking home and a kind person with a bike rack on her car stopped and drove me the rest of the way. Water was nearly all the way up her car's tires.

Luckily, it doesn't rain all that often here. However, I always bike in bike shorts and a breathable fast-dry long-sleeve shirt (to protect from the sun). I carry my work clothes in a bike bag (not waterproof, I discovered). And because I work in a professional environment, and it's muggy and/or hot for 9 months out of the year, I shower at work. I would stink if I didn't, and that's not great when you're dealing with a client most of the day. The work shower sucks, but it's better than nothing (negligible water pressure).

[skunkfunk]

For me rain is never the problem - wind can be though. Wobbling in traffic due to a strong wind is not fun.

Yeah, I had a 25 mph headwind this morning. http://www.weather.com/weather/today/73121:4:US

Then a train stopped. Had to go an extra mile south to get around it. By the time I got back to the north, it was still stopped. For all I know it has been sitting there all day.

We rarely get just normal rain here. It's usually either a big thunderstorm, going to become a big thunderstorm, or recently was a big thunderstorm if there is water coming down.