It is a challenge to stay dry when you are in a sport with lots of perspiration. Bicycle rain gear has to provide both rain protection and ventilation. And depending on the time of year and your riding style, protecting your core body temp is just as important as staying dry. Even with temps in the 50's, cyclists are at risk from hypothermia when riding in the rain for extended periods.
Before the wide array of miracle fabrics available today, bicycle rain protection was typically waterproof capes or jackets with mesh panels. All this was combined with the original miracle fabric, wool, which insulates well when wet.
Many years ago on my first extended tour, my rain gear was layers of wool clothing topped with a plastic garbage bag with cut-out head and arm holes. It was not very elegant, but still viable today if you get caught miles from home without rain gear!
The most basic rain gear at Bicycle Garage Indy is the Louis Garneau Clean Imper Jacket ($24.99). It is a cycling-cut jacket in light, flexible vinyl-like material with underarm mesh panels and a Velcro front closure. It is no frills, but very functional for the occasional ride in the rain, especially in warmer weather.
In the same price range, one breathable, water resistant fabric option is available in the O2 Original Cycling Jacket ($34.99). Made from a lightweight polypropylene, it provides basic wind and rain protection, with some breathability. However, you will build up some humidity under the jacket first, since there are no extra ventilation features like mesh panels or pit-zips. The O2 fabrics is more durable than the Vinyl jackets and also packs well.
If you are looking for rain gear for a simple weekend trip or family vacation, either of these are good choices. I know, because my family has used both over the years!
In part 2, I will cover the more technical choices in bicycle rain gear for the year-round rider, bicycle commuter and bicycle tourist.
O2 and Louis Garneau are just two of the many brands of bicycle clothing found at Bicycle Garage Indy’s two locations, North (Indianapolis, in the Clearwater area on 82nd St.) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood).
You can learn more about bicycle rain gear, clothing and accessories for head-to-toe style and function at our May Clinic: Dressed to Bike, this Wednesday, May 18 at Bicycle Garage Indy North. Online Registration is free (walk-ins welcome).
Before the wide array of miracle fabrics available today, bicycle rain protection was typically waterproof capes or jackets with mesh panels. All this was combined with the original miracle fabric, wool, which insulates well when wet. Many years ago on my first extended tour, my rain gear was layers of wool clothing topped with a plastic garbage bag with cut-out head and arm holes. It was not very elegant, but still viable today if you get caught miles from home without rain gear!
The most basic rain gear at Bicycle Garage Indy is the Louis Garneau Clean Imper Jacket ($24.99). It is a cycling-cut jacket in light, flexible vinyl-like material with underarm mesh panels and a Velcro front closure. It is no frills, but very functional for the occasional ride in the rain, especially in warmer weather.
In the same price range, one breathable, water resistant fabric option is available in the O2 Original Cycling Jacket ($34.99). Made from a lightweight polypropylene, it provides basic wind and rain protection, with some breathability. However, you will build up some humidity under the jacket first, since there are no extra ventilation features like mesh panels or pit-zips. The O2 fabrics is more durable than the Vinyl jackets and also packs well. If you are looking for rain gear for a simple weekend trip or family vacation, either of these are good choices. I know, because my family has used both over the years!
In part 2, I will cover the more technical choices in bicycle rain gear for the year-round rider, bicycle commuter and bicycle tourist.
O2 and Louis Garneau are just two of the many brands of bicycle clothing found at Bicycle Garage Indy’s two locations, North (Indianapolis, in the Clearwater area on 82nd St.) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood).
You can learn more about bicycle rain gear, clothing and accessories for head-to-toe style and function at our May Clinic: Dressed to Bike, this Wednesday, May 18 at Bicycle Garage Indy North. Online Registration is free (walk-ins welcome).
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