Misty Mountain Hop
Riding in bad weather is an incredible experience assuming you don’t fall off and break your hip, or you don’t get hit by a car. Those realities aside, the weather adds a dimension to the ride that you simply don’t have on a sunny day, lovely as they are. The other day I was riding early on a cool morning with a light mist. The humidity in the air seemed to dampen the sounds of the city a bit, and the warm moist air wrapped about me like a cloak. At sea level, it was raining, but the clouds were low enough that as I climbed up away from the coast, I rose out of the rain and into the clouds which seemed to cling to the treetops as they clawed their way along the hillside. The early rays of the sun were trying to penetrate the clouds, and in some spots where the could cover was thinner, the rays burst forth with stunning clarity.
I was in another world entirely.
I keep wearing my S-Works Evade helmet when the weather gets bad outside. And every time, it’s a fresh disappointment that I don’t look like Boonen or Lizzie, who both look amazing in that festering turd of a helmet. But I don’t. I blame my grapefruit-shaped head and the vaguely bewildered look on my face. I’ve thought about ways to make my head look less like a fruit of a popular primary color, but everything I try leaves me with this same stupid round head. If you can’t choose your parents, you should at least be allowed to choose your face; it seems like a basic humanitarian issue.
Ugly as it is, however, it is very warm and keeps the wind off my wet, flowing locks, and it also has enough surface area that I have added various strips of black reflective tape to help make me more visible in order to satisfy to my lingering desire not to end up on a texting-driver’s bumper. (I’ve also covered bits of my Nine Bike with the same tape, and it is awesome.) The Castelli Gabba jersey is the go-to wet weather riding jersey, also with some reflective materials on it, and in Spinal Tap Black it matches the V-Bibs perfectly. This is a jersey that will make even the most stubborn fair-weather rider get excited about rain.
Finally, I’ve been wearing DeFeet’s orange Cyclismo socks in bad weather along with the Orange Damsels, but with the mercury dropping, I’m going to switch over to the orange Slipstreams to keep my feet toasty in the coming cool rain. And, I’m considering designing an all-orange V-Jersey. You heard me.
There is a fine line between being safely visible and looking like a bicycling traffic cone, but the best rides are the rides we come home from. Indulge in the magic that only a Rule #9 ride can bring you, but make sure you stay safe, and keep your Nine Kit in good taste.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@Mikael Liddy
Oooo, thought the Barbie (Ken) image had been eradicated!
Fixin to put a pair of 25mm Open Paves on Fausto and just took delivery of some Grip Grab over shoes. Made in Denmark so they have to be good right? They look loaded for bear to be sure.
Right now the arm warmers, gilet, casquette, and diluvio for feet and hands are perfect for commuting around 5-9C. Leaving the guns exposed for now.
Considering an orange Condor for N+1 Graveur / Audax rig in the New Year. Will be looking for fashion tips accordingly!
I have to admit that in my old age I don't do a whole lot of #9 riding ... at least not intentionally. And about 40F is my lower limit for cold weather riding. My best investment for helping to be seen is a Bontrager Flare R tail light. Even in bright sunlight, visible from 1K+ away. Otherwise, my only "hi-viz" kit is a red Bellwether wind vest that has some reflective piping on it. Oh, and my Lazer Helium helmet has a built-in blinky light.
There is nothing like the transformative rides, whether due to weather, being able to get away from things for a bit, or just one of those awesome rides. I love being out for an hour or two and returning feeling like a new person. (As a Gemini, I guess it's easy to swap one side for another!)
When I ride solo in 9 conditions in fall/winter, I go for as bright as possible. The reflective tape idea from Frank is one I started utilizing last year. GREAT idea. And the black tape is hardly noticeable without light shining on it.
I also really think dual-levels of rear lights are a good idea. I always have one mounted on the bike, but I've also mounted one on my helmet. A thin Velcro strap from the hardware store and then a usb-chargeable Planet Bike Superflash Turbo mini go on the back of my helmets. Can't feel the weight of the light and it stays in place. Plus, I also hope the movement of my head catches drivers too comatose to see the rear light on the bike.
Can't wait for winter commuting this year, made some nice pick-ups in the offseason that should keep me dry and warm.
@chuckp
As I wrote...I've been able to attach a Planet Bike Super Flash mini to a variety of helmets, just with a thin Velcro strap routed through the rear vents. Built-in lights are a great idea, but if you don't have one, this method lets you ride with a second, higher-up light.
I saw this here a while back. It's my early morning/ late evening/ low light cool weather top. Admittedly it is a bit 'bicycling traffic cone' though.
@JohnB
Me likey the traffic cone. :-) My go-to cool weather long-sleeve jersey is an old Kodak/Sierra Nevada team jersey that my wife picked up on closeout somewhere for dirt cheap. It definitely can be seen and I like that it has a soft fleece lining.
@JohnB
Another reason to love the S. Pellegrino jersey.
Being half-Dutch, Orange is always the go-to hi-vis color for Nine bike riding. Also being half-Dutch, living in Seattle and team riding, fenders with mud flaps are mandatory for the Nine bike. Well set up quality fenders can look awesome. Don't be a douche.
Fender Zones
I can't believe it's still so damn hot here (hovering about 38C), I'm waiting for it to cool off to reasonable fall temperatures. No warm kit for me anytime soon.
@chuckp and anyone else with those nuclear powered rear lights - just be courteous and leave it at home for the club rides. I was in a group on Sunday, one guy had a retina searing light that was unbearable. I was tempted to rip it from his seatpost and shove it down his throat. I'm pretty sure his ass would have lit up from the inside, it was so bright. Anyway, anger management classes taught me to ignore it and just keep in front of him.
Otherwise, be bright and be safe out there.