Seeing in the rain

[bishop]

Was out on a ride today and got caught in a 2 hour rain.  I was wearing
my sun glasses and after a while they proved unhelpful, no, worse than
unhelpful.  I even have clear lenses I could've swapped out but I think
they would've just gotten speckled and splattered as well.  I could see
better once I took my glasses off but it kept raining and need I say
more?!!  I don't have fenders either but I'm not certain that that would've
made much difference?  Any advice?  Aside from pulling over and waiting
out a storm?

[FredHiltz]

Hi Bishop. I wipe mine with a finger every few minutes.

Fred

[jimbeard]

A bicycle hat brim is designed for rain riding .



Jim

[centrider]

I've found that helmet visors help.  Louis Garnau came out with a
helmet cover (or is under the helmet?)which has a visor and a neck
cover which looked good enough for me to buy it.

I live in SoCal, but my experience riding in the East/Canada put me into
some horrendous storms.  If it's a gully washer - you're going to get
wet.

But, as other writers have pointed out, a visor/brim helps.  Some
glasses are somewhat water repellant.    I like my Rudy Project's, yellow
lenses which seem to enhance visibility and sheds water well.

One think I noticed on one ride is that in passing from cool air into
warm and back into cool resulted in the glasses fogging on the inside.  
Unerving to say the least.

Fenders help for a little while.  Rain pants help.  A jacket helps.  Toe
covers help.  Just for a while.  Pretty much like being on a boat in
storm.  Unless you're under cover, you will eventually  get very
wet.

[JayH]

Yup, the old glove wipe!

I will use one of those cyclin caps for when I'm commuting in the rain, it's small enough just to do an OK job of keeping the rain off but not too big to block visibility. Doesn't work too much if you don't have a front fender though or it's really windy or really coming down..

Jay

[AkBandit]

Check out www.oakley.com

They now make 2 types of glasses that keep water and fog off the lenses.

[centrider]

I wear Rudy Project which have water shedding abilities also.  You might
want to check out their website.

I think I mentioned I like the yellow lense, not just for rain but especially
back East where there's a lot more trees (and deep shadows), the yellow
lense gives good visibility.

In SoCal, I use the dark lense more frequently (not a whole lot of rain).

[bishop]

Much thanks for the feedback everyone.  I'm buying fenders (never
thought those words would come out of my mouth!) this week and have
already bought a new pair of shades.  Now I just need a good, long rain to
test them out!!

[centrider]

Remember - in a long rain/downpour, you're going to get wet.  You might
also want to look at toe covers for your shoes.

On the other hand, it's fun to ride through puddles when you have the
fenders on.

[don quixote]

When it is raining, I wear an old baseball cap under my helmet. keeps the rain out of my eyes. Also, velcroed Sidekick booties for my feet are a real plus.

George
San Diego

[boonebikeguy]

I wear a cycling cap they actually block water and I also carry clear shades with me if it even hints of raining.

"Love is a river where crazy people drown"--Kyrgyz proverb

[Sailariel]

I have found that a helmet with a vizor does help in the rain. As for getting the noggin wet, I have found that a shower cap worn over the helmet does a great job. They are cheap and available. I always carry one in my seat pack. You won`t make a fashion statement but you will have a dry head.

[bishop]

The shower cap over the helmet ALSO helps you from freezing flying down the Eastern side of Washington Pass!

bikeformima.com

Bill

[bogiesan]

Look for a cheap pair of ski goggles at REI or end of season closeouts.
Only adds about 3 ounces.

Carrying rain gear on a tour is a list of tough decisions. What must you
have for safety and health? What's just for comfort? Do you like to ride
in heavy rainfall or wait it out? Where are you touring and what's the
likelihood you're going to see big rain?

david boise ID

go, ristretto, FCP/AE
"Read the manual."