Wet and windy commute: Did you ride? Stay dry?

A wet Esplanade.
(Photo © J. Maus)

This morning was by far the wettest and windiest ride I’ve had into work all year. And you?

Despite my best attempt to stay dry, I arrived at my office pretty much soaked through the lower half of my body. I knew it might happen (my J & G rain paints stopped being waterproof months ago) so I brought an extra pair of pants.

My four mile ride from North Portland into downtown was pretty lonely. I didn’t see many other bikes out there. The conditions must be scaring folks away. Can’t blame them I guess. As I rode over the Broadway Bridge, strong wind gusts made me swerve a bit and I was pedaling hard even on the downhill.

Here’s what people shared with us via Twitter this morning…

@keviniano: “I did. No other bikes when I arrived to work (usually 3 or so). At least it was warm. It’s wet AND cold that kills me.”

@jocelyntutak: “Brutal is the word — but I couldn’t help laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Made it over the B’way bridge at 10 mph!”

@garrettmoon: “Yup, I think they scheduled the Worst Day of the Year Ride on the wrong day.”

@theta444: “I rode, to the bus stop & that was enuf. 🙂 Sandy was a swimming pool. A dirty, dirty swimming pool.”

@anomalily: “rode, but I wasn’t happy about it. 10 miles, completely soaked with a headwind the whole way. Two of my co-workers rode too.”

@yusebio: “Rode in this morning. Brutal. Even going downhill I felt like I had to push.”

@poetas: “the wind was nasty, have to be ready to react to gusts.”

@eBikeStore: “we are all playing hooky”

I’ve heard reports of huge puddles on the Going St. bike boulevard, at SE 12th and Hawthorne, and on N. Rosa Parks Way near I-5. I’d love to hear from more of you about the conditions and/or whether or not you rode at all.

Use the comments to share your experiences and to report conditions.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Dave
12 years ago

My feet, the bottom couple inches of my pants, and part of my hair are still drying out, but the rest of me stayed mostly dry over my 4.5 mile ride. The wind was nasty though, there were moments I almost couldn’t pedal forward (the poncho doesn’t help with that on days like this). Nice not having to take extra clothes though. Thankfully it’s not often this rainy and this windy at the same time.

Stephanie
12 years ago

I rode to work, hardly saw any cyclists along the way in. I stayed dry Thanks to my Showers Pass Elite 2.0 jacket and Storm Pants. Sound like you could use some new rain pants Jonathan.

S
S
12 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

That’s interesting…my SP jacket this morning was pretty much a total fail. I haven’t waterproofed it in a while, but still…after spending that kind of money, I was not happy…!

Stretchy
Stretchy
12 years ago

How long does your waterproof gear typically last (ie. stay waterproof) and, is there any way to keep it waterproof or re-proof it?

JA
JA
12 years ago
Reply to  Stretchy

I’d say most gear will stay waterproof through about 2-3 trips in the washing machine. Absent vigorous washing it can last a few years.

There are several re-sealers on the market that work reasonably well. The ones that you pour into the washing machine with all your waterproof gear are pretty convenient and effective. The spray on stuff is messy and smells like something toxic you shouldn’t be breathing IMHO.

JM
JM
12 years ago
Reply to  JA

I used to work at an outdoor clothing store and I became pretty familiar with the properties of waterproof outerwear. To put it simply, unless your outerwear came from Wal-Mart, it should last for quite a while! It’s important to note waterproof clothing often appears like it’s no longer waterproof because the face fabric gets inundated with water and you feel wet. While it may appear broken, there’s actually a laminate fabric on the inside that’s keeping water out, but since the nylon shell fabric is saturated, the laminate is no longer breathing which causes sweat to condense.

To fix this, you’ll need to reapply the durable water repellent (DWR) coating to the nylon shell using sprays or wash-in chemicals from companies like Nikwax or Grangers. These sprays will cause the water to beed up and roll off which preserves breathability and helps keep you dry. Alternatively, you can throw your garment in the dryer on a low heat setting for a few minutes which revives some of the factory-applied DWR.

While reapplying the DWR solves most problems, sometimes there’s issues with the design of the waterproof clothing that shortens the life of the garment. Lower cost waterproof breathable outerwear is generally less durable and not as well designed. For example, poor placement of seams can channel water towards your body rather than away.

While name brand textiles like gore-tex and event are more expensive, they are generally more durable and the manufacturers who use these laminates put more time into the design of the garment so they fit better. Personally, I purchased (disclosure: employee discount) waterproof Arc’Teryx top and bottoms which haven’t failed me through skiing, rainy bike commuting, and hiking. They’re expensive, but the fit and durability are unparalleled.

Finally, layering is a critical component in staying dry. Even if you have great outerwear, sweat can saturate you from the inside. On longer rides where you know you’ll work up a sweat, ditch the cotton and wear wool or polyester. Layer sensibly– you probably need less clothing than you think you need.

af
af
12 years ago
Reply to  JA

your waterproof gear should last many many washings. 2-3 is unacceptable. also, washing your gear should improve its performance by washing grime (dirt, sweat, etc) out of pores that allow your sweat to evaporate minimizing sweat induced dampness. with that being said, a spray on dwr is recommended as a ‘pour in’ type can also clog these pours (on the inside layer of the jacket) leaving you a sweaty mess.

Alan 1.0
Alan 1.0
12 years ago
Reply to  Stretchy

I just retired a Marmot Goretex lightweight shell after about 11 years. I washed it when it’s dirty (several times a year) and refinished it several times (NikWax) and doing that again might have made it work for another year, but it saturated quickly (that’s what refinishing might have helped) and was starting to weep slightly over the shoulder blades (pack straps; not fixable) and it had some physical damage. Before that my Northface Goretex shell lasted a year or three longer, but with a very damp patch in the middle of the back (again, backpack related). I went with Arcteryx this time.

liddell
liddell
12 years ago

Simply sopping! I miscalculated the depth of one of the leaf-blocked-drain lakes and got my shoes dunked past my ankles. Right before by last turn an old guy -maybe 80- waved and smiled as he rode in the opposite direction. It was awesome.

vic
vic
12 years ago

Head to toe raingear plus goggles allowed me to make the 3 mile commute to PSU and arrive dry on the inside. There were very few fellow bikers on the bridge. Not cold is a good thing.

Stacy
Stacy
12 years ago

There are several large puddles covering the road at various points from Seven Corners through Ladd’s Addition to the Hawthorne Bridge. It’s going to be a dodgy ride home in the dark.

Nick
12 years ago

So windy the rain pushed past the rubber flaps on the waterproof zipper of my Endura jacket. That was a first. But not bad, all in all. Glad it’s not 10 degrees colder.

Galen
12 years ago

There’s a tree down across a powerline just N of Barbur. Don’t bike under it.

Shane
Shane
12 years ago

My coworker and I challenged each other yesterday so we both felt like we had to live up to it today. My normally waterproof gloves were soaked through, but I was surprised to find that I was otherwise dry under my gear. Didn’t see too many others out though.

Phil
Phil
12 years ago

I rode in, but for the first time ever, wished I had just taken the MAX. Rain cape was pretty ineffective with this much wind and rain. I need to get some shoe protection too. I have rainpants, but I’m not that psyched about them, since I still just get wet… instead of rain it’s sweat. I think I prefer rain to sweat. I also need to get some waterproof gloves. Any recommendations for waterproof gloves or shoe covers?

Natalie
Natalie
12 years ago
Reply to  Phil

Might not be a popular answer but my leather gloves have done the trick so far.

Paul Manson
Paul Manson
12 years ago

I rode in with my 4 yo daughter on the Bobike to get to PSU. I was soaked from the waist down. Upper body was ok. Kiddo was in full snowsuit with trashbag over the top and that did the trick. Her hair was dry and she was warm! (I think I absorb most of the rain as we ride anyway.

Ladds and SE Harrison are starting to fill up with water, about half a foot in places.

oliver
oliver
12 years ago

Took the Max, disappointed that I missed out on the fun.

Matt
Matt
12 years ago

Stayed nice and dry but the wind really forced me to lean into some of my turns!

Jram
Jram
12 years ago

I stayed mostly dry, but the wind was the craziest for me. I felt like I would have come to a complete stop on the downhill on N Interstate if I’d have stopped pedaling. I passed only slightly fewer bikes than usual between NOPO and John’s Landing. I definitely enjoyed the puddle splashing.

Aaron
12 years ago

Yeah, I rode in. But, no, I didn’t stay dry. Fortunately, water comes out easy in the wash 🙂

Alan 1.0
Alan 1.0
12 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

Or use drycleaning.

bikeyvol
bikeyvol
12 years ago

Am considering wearing a PFD on the ride home today. Waterfront park has several large puddles that are only growing. Not many folks riding in today – but I’ll feel like a little kid riding through all them puddles on the way home for sure!! Can’t wait!

dan
dan
12 years ago

I’ve switched to PVC raingear for really wet days. It doesn’t breathe at all, but it’s 100% waterproof forever, and it costs a fraction of Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable fabrics. I wouldn’t want to wear it for a long day in the saddle, but for my 4 mile commute, it’s perfect.

My feet just get wet — on a day like today, I bike in with no socks, then dry my feet and put on socks when I get to work. I have holes in the uppers of my biking shoes now, so I’m not going to have dry feet no matter what. 🙂

Jeff
Jeff
12 years ago
Reply to  dan

Dan – I used to have the same problem with wet feet. I bought a pair of keen rubber sandals and some waterproof scuba socks. Seems to be doing the trick over the past year and a half. I never have to worry about soggy shoes and my feet stay mostly dry, usually only a little damp from sweat.

Carl
Carl
12 years ago

Huge puddles all through the Lloyd district too — mostly leaf-blocked storm drains. I had my new rain pants on, which helped, but it still runs into your shoes, no matter what. Walking around the office in sock feet for now.

Demian Ebert
Demian Ebert
12 years ago

The commutte from Sellwood was pretty lonely this morning. Passed one recumbant the entire trip. A downed tree (on SE 9th) that forced me onto the sidewalk for a bit. Stayed 90% dry thanks to full raingear. Toes were wet because of water coming up through the shoes at the cleats and my head of course (I’d bake under a helmet cover). It was the first time I’ve ever had to wring my gloves out at the office though. The gear: Gore jacket, Specialized WP gloves, Showers Pass pants, Bontrager shoe covers. Hopefully it lets up before I have to go home.

Richard
Richard
12 years ago

I rode. It’s only four miles to downtown from SE, mostly on the Springwater trail. Saw a couple of other riders. I can shower and change at work, so getting wet isn’t a big deal. Gusting winds, however, are a bit unnerving.

Josh Berezin
12 years ago

I was worried the bakfiets with rain cover would get blown over — it acts like a sail. So I bussed today. But walking and waiting outside gave me a good chance to field-test the new waterproof Campers I bought the other day. Thumbs up for those!

ac
ac
12 years ago

i stayed pretty dry, mostly sweaty since it wasn’t that cold. as with everyone, wind was the real challenge. not too many puddles tho fremont/10th is looking like it wants to flood up from leaves.

my commuter tip, push some thumbtacks into the underside of your desk behind your cpu. hang socks and hat. lay out shoes with insoles pulled out directly behind cpu or as near as possible

the cpu’s heat and fan do a pretty good job of drying stuff out during the day

Katie Taylor
Katie Taylor
12 years ago

You know how they have mudrooms in old buildings? We need to start having those again! There is nowhere in a modern office to put wet clothes. I ended up spreading mine out over some traffic cones someone stashed in an unused cubicle, but lord, after that ride this morning, they will not be dry by 5pm. 8 miles, unrelenting wind and rain and standing pools of water full of mucky leaves (if you are riding the NW section of Naito Pkwy, watch for standing water on the west side of the street). I saw a few other hardy souls, but not many. Interesting mix of crazy, careless drivers and super-conscientious ones. Be careful, everyone!

Christianne
Christianne
12 years ago

I bussed it this morning. I didn’t take into account, however, that I would get just as wet as I would have on a bike on my half-mile walk to the bus stop.

Dave
12 years ago

There were some pretty massive puddles, and since it hasn’t stopped raining at all, there are probably some spots where the entire road is going to be flooded on the way home. Go slowly and don’t surprise yourself 🙂

rootbeerguy
rootbeerguy
12 years ago

i did ride this morning. it was not the worst (my opinion). I was slightly soaked. my gloves are supposed to be waterproofed but completely soaked. I wore a pair of rain chaps. A bit wet around knees. (I wore a pair of knickers.) I used a pair of boot covers. my socks were a bit wet. I know what I wanted for Christmas: better gloves.

PDXRon
PDXRon
12 years ago

I got a tailwind riding north on the Springwater. Hit 20 MPH with little effort.

jocko
jocko
12 years ago

Here is my tip: put some flat pedals on (if you are commuter clipless) and buy some barn boots at bi-mart . your feet will never be wet on your commute again!

jeff
jeff
12 years ago

I rode. I should have driven probably.
feet got the worst of it even through good neoprene booties. relatively warm temps though so I barehanded it with no problem. tonight will be a different story.

Paulie
Paulie
12 years ago

I took the bus, as much to placate my fiance, who worries when I ride in bad weather, as to avoid the wet and wind. Three blocks to the bus stop, with the rain coming in the open end of the shelter, and my pants were pretty wet.

With my head-to-toe rainproof cycle wear, I think I would have been drier if I had biked in. At least my work clothes would have been dry in my panniers.

The rain doesn’t suck, but the wind BLOWS!

SilkySlim
SilkySlim
12 years ago

Waking up, the weather sounded, thanks to the gusting winds, way worse than it actually was. Fingers crossed my gear can dry out in time for the ride home!

BURR
BURR
12 years ago

Meh, what’s a bit of rain? This is Portland, isn’t it?

laura minor
laura minor
12 years ago

riding my faired LWB recumbent over the Hawthorne bridge was exciting!mt new Shower’s pass raingear passed the test and kept me dry

Argentius
Argentius
12 years ago

Dry? Ah, no. Not dry. After 25 miles nothing will be effective, so I switch to trying to keep the drops off of bare skin, and staying as warm as possible while wet. It was not cold, so, it was all right. 10 degrees colder would’ve been miserable.

Martha
Martha
12 years ago

I got soaked walking the dog before I even got on my bike, so a bit more rain didn’t change much. Totally fun commute with the rain dumping, leaves swirling, and wind pounding. That was the BEST TAILWIND EVER!! I’m glad we’ve got a shower at work, though.

Chris W
Chris W
12 years ago

I managed to stay dry thanks to my mtn hardware epic jacket and gortex northwave fahrenheit gtx shoes. I did feel like I almost got blown over edge on the hawthorne bridge when I went to wipe off my glasses. Not looking forward to my ride home south on the springwater. Ugh.

KJ
KJ
12 years ago

6 miles, Concordia to SE industrial, no major issues, a few grumpy drivers, crossing 84 at 20th was windy but not as bad as yesterday, headwind annoying but not terrible. Arrived relativity dry (need new rain pants, seams starting to leak). Not a bad ride at all, fewer fellow commuters than usual though. Took about an extra 10 min due to headwind.
Overall, had a fun ride. Love this kind of rain. no complaints.

Bikesalot
Bikesalot
12 years ago

An eleven mile minimum route with a mountain at each end was to much for me – I drove today. My bike has the same problem in sidewinds as Laura’s. The other problem is the greatly increased bike maintenance from riding wet. I have enough trouble keeping up with maintenance even in good weather.

Roger Horner
Roger Horner
12 years ago

I ride about 12 miles each way and the I5 bridge is just too narrow with winds that could make it up to 40mph.

Glenn
Glenn
12 years ago

I rode as usual from Vancouver across the I-205 bridge to my work at PDX. The wind slowed me down to 8 mph down the bridge, and pedaling hard at that. Looking forward to the ride home — I should be able to zip up the bridge.

I stayed pretty dry. I wear the Gore Wear Paclite jacket. It is very lightweight and waterproof. I wear it both as a windbreaker on cooler summer days and even in temps down to 10 degrees F. in winter. I layer underneath as appropriate. As for footwear, I switched to SPD-compatible sandals 5 years ago. My feet have never been drier or warmer. I wear SealSinkz waterproof socks. On a relatively warm rainy day like today, I wear a pair of light wool socks underneath. On days when the temps drop into the teens, I wear a heavy pair of Merino wook socks over those. Feet stay warm and comfy (and dry) on my 1 1/2 hour commute (one way).

Editz
Editz
12 years ago

Nobody in PDX has ever heard of Granger’s?

http://www.grangers.co.uk/product.cfm?cat=12&productid=5

beck
beck
12 years ago

I rode the I-5 bridge last night into portland around midnight and it was gnarly. Fighting with the wind to avoid becoming a human ping pong ball on the bridge is no bueno. Funny thing though. I have a $69 pair of Novara pants that stayed fairly dry and a $250 arcteryx jacket that felt like i was wearing a wet towel. Rawkin! Keep dry friends!

Brett M.
Brett M.
12 years ago

Rode 7.5 miles from University Park to downtown. Gusts on Willamette kept me leaning to the right just to stay upright. Could’ve kayaked down Greeley.
Pants from Craft of Sweden soaked through below the knee (but still warm). Gore jacket kept my top dry with just a little soak through in the forearms. Best discovery yet: neoprene gloves from NRS.

Gonna be a SWEET tailwind on the way back home tonight.

Tony H
Tony H
12 years ago

Where was everybody today?

Showers pass jacket (forth season), LL Bean rain pants (5th season), and LL Bean shoes (second season) worked fine. The Bean items were actually fairly cheap. The shoes were sold as a sort of “walking in the snow” shoe. They look like a clunky all purpose training shoe, but have really kept my feet warm and dry. Oh – cheap motorcycle winter gloves have worked for the past 5 years. They were awful on the motorcycle, but work great on a bicycle.

My commute is only 4 1/2 miles. I do think that a longer commute would’ve resulted in my getting wet.

Ben Guernsey
Ben Guernsey
12 years ago

Todays ride was by far not the worst. Wet, but at least not frigid.

Just bought some Specialized Radiant gloves, they are great.

I used to have a Showers Pass elite jacket, but the waterproofing died. So my cheap jacket just doesnt breathe, and I was feeling a bit gross. Maybe time to pony up for a new GOOD jacket.

davemess
davemess
12 years ago

I was lucky and had a tailwind almost the entire ride this morning (headed North). The way home might be a different story. I hate having things still wet when I put them on to go home. Maybe I”ll have to buy a 2nd pair of shoe warmers for work. The warmers at home work well.

Natalie
Natalie
12 years ago

I use the plastic bags that my morning newspaper comes in as cheap waterproof booties for my feet. Rubber bands hold them to my calves. I look like an idiot, but I prefer it to buying yet another bike accessory.

Sam Chase
12 years ago

I rode in and got soaked!! I thought my pants were waterproof….I guess not 🙂

Anna
Anna
12 years ago

A bit wet, yes, but I counted at least 6-7 others commuters stopped w/me at the Broadway bridge light. Worst part was the wet leaves on the downhill part of N. Interstate, but am really looking forward to the tailwind going home ! take xtra socks and gloves in addition to the change of clothes for work.

bdh
bdh
12 years ago

Rode in today, and got soaked. Was having a really good time, too, until some woman pulled up dangerously close to me near 2nd/Morrison, nearly clipping me with her Jeep’s mirror, so she could yell at me to “share the road.” This is while moving, in heavy traffic, me caught stuck between her car and the parked vehicles on the left as she yells out her window to overtakes me.

Despite that, it was great.

MeghanH
MeghanH
12 years ago
Reply to  bdh

I think that same lady yelled at me for taking the lane on SW 2nd near Morrison recently…dark jeep cherokee, right? She screamed at me to “move over.” (She does know there are three lanes open to her on 2nd, right?)