Hell on Two Wheels: Winterize

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It looks like we're going to have some wet and wild weather for at least the next week, if not two, or even three -- according to the U.S. Geological Survey, el niņo will be pissing on us for the foreseeable future.

It might not feel like cycling weather to folks who didn't grow up in Seattle, but considering in the time it might take you standing in the rain to actually catch a Muni bus (and you may well be waiting significantly longer in the future) or spent walking from the closest place you could find parking, you might have already arrived on your bicycle. So less time, net, out in the rain on many trips. The real question isn't whether or not to bike, but what to wear?

Having a change of clothes hidden somewhere in your desk at the office works for walks of shame as well as a splash from a Muni busIn this case there is something to recommend of synthetic fibers -- actual cycling gear does perform well in the rain, and is relatively comfortable. But for those of us who neither own spandex or goretex (nor particularly want to), it can be difficult to stay Cycle Chic. So how do you Copenhagenize in this weather?

Well, remember that in Copenhagen they get rain, even snow, and still manage to get on their omafiets looking fabulous. In San Francisco it gets a lot wetter than it does cold, so as always, layer! And since you'll be exerting yourself, you have to deal with water going both ways -- down from above and out from within. Generally I go with cotton against the skin and wool against the sky. I'm not a fan of polar fleece, partly because synthetics have a tendency to stink up quickly, and there's nothing fashionable about getting off your bike smelling foul. Hopefully some helpful vegan might weigh in in the comments on acceptable wool alternatives.

Why not cotton like, say, hoodies? Because cotton has a nasty habit of loosing its insulation properties when wet, which could leave you with a chill once you reach your destination. Heavier cotton knits and felts also get weighed down when wet and take forever to dry out. A light cotton or linen top, or a top and undershirt if it's chilly, with a light wool or cotton sweater and a heavier wool jacket, and wool, cotton or linen trousers are what I go with. I don't particularly like denim for the same reason I don't like cotton knits.

And go with dark colors, especially for pants and jackets -- light colors have a way of going transparent when wet, besides showing any dirt. For skirts and dresses, the leggings look seems popular and quite practical. A light wool or cotton cap can help keep your head a little warmer and drier under a helmet, and quickly stashed into a pocket once indoors. A rakish scarf is always appropriate. And a nice pair of boots can keep your feet from getting soaked in puddles, your cuffs marked up by a dirty, wet chain or wheel and provides the bonus of nice, stiff soles that are perfect for pedaling with or without toe clips or straps. You can make it work.

But if this sounds like you can just dress like you'd normally dress for the rain, along with a bag that you can use to stash a layer or two into as necessary, it is. Apparently in America, where the image of cycling is of sport cyclists and not as just an everyday adult activity, this seems to be a difficult concept for people. You wouldn't go out walking in a sundress during San Francisco's January, but there's nothing stopping you from wearing a stylish winter jacket on a bike, either.

Of course, you'll probably want some form of front and rear fenders to keep any dirty water kicking up from your wheels. When you pack your bag or panniers, toss a couple of heavy-duty garbage sacks in -- you can use them to wrap stuff up to keep it dry, or wrap yourself up in a hasty poncho if you get stuck fixing a flat or waiting for a bus. Now, I know, not chic, but you can always ditch it in a trash bin when you're ready to make your grand entrance. For longer rides, and to adjust to our predictably unpredictable weather, you should stash a t-shirt, that recommended light sweater and even a change of socks before you strike out into the elements just in case.

And, if worst comes to worst, especially in a professional environment, I learned a valuable lesson from a workplace affair with a beloved ex -- having a change of clothes hidden somewhere in your desk at the office works for walks of shame as well as a splash from a Muni bus. I would quickly trade one or two days a year showing up at the office soaked to the bone and changing than showing up in skin-tight, fluorescent bikewear and changing every day. Call it suffering for fashion if you will, but for those of us without a lot of disposable income or, frankly, body image issues, buying or wearing specialized clothes that we neither like nor look good in would be a disincentive to cycling.

As for actually riding? When you're wearing a proper outfit, you don't necessarily want to work up much of a sweat, so taking it easy in a low gear is the way to go. It's also safer, because wet brakes and slick roads mean you'll need more stopping distance than you would at the same speed on a dry surface. You'll also want to keep a closer eye on other traffic for that same reason. Pumping your brakes can help with both wet rims and wheels that break into a fast, wet skid. Finally, for all sorts of reasons, avoid puddles at all costs, and smooth surfaces such as wet leaves, tile, polished brick, and metal sheets and grates, especially when turning. And finally, in terms of maintenance, you might want to give parts like cranks, cables, derailleurs and the like a wipe with a clean, dry rag to reduce grit and moisture that might grind bearings or cause rust when hanging your ride up for the night.

So while I admit I'll probably riding the bus a bit more in this weather, at least on longer trips, that doesn't mean my bike will be collecting dust for weeks of wet weather. Or that I'll run out and buy and "performance" bikewear, technical outdoor gear or any synthetic fibers. I'll be wearing the same mix of thrift store jackets and Ross bin finds over startup schwag tees and basics from Muji and Uniqlo that I always do (though in a perfect world, I might have a sportcoat customized with reflective material under the collar and cuff lining). You wouldn't wear a flame-retardent NASCAR getup when driving around town, or short shorts and a singlet like an Olympics speed walker as a pedestrian, so why would you wear anything but stylish, well-made clothes when cycling around, rain or shine?

Photo by Kate McCarthy.

Jackson West has ridden a bike around the San Juan Islands, up and down the Cascades, in Vancouver, Seattle, Brooklyn, Austin and all over the Bay Area. Maybe surprisingly, he finds soft, luxurious camel hair equal to wool in wet weather warmth. Have any bike-related questions? Send an email!