Thanks to reader AJL for pointing out that the day after I asked what equipment I’d need to survive Seattle’s rainy season, Seattle Bike Blog went ahead and answered my question.
After asking the question here and offline, a few people let me know there wasn’t any must-have equipment for biking, beyond what is must-have for doing anything in the rain.
From Seattle Bike Blog’s post:
Do you own warm clothes that you wear when walking in the rain? Then you already own everything you need to bike in the rain.
Most city bike trips do not require special clothing, even in the rain. Over time, you will discover outfits and items of clothing that make rainy biking more comfortable. But don’t get intimidated by your lack of bike-specific clothing. If what you own keeps you dry enough to wait for a bus or to walk a few blocks from a parked car to your destination, then it is good enough for a quick bike trip across town.
So far, I’ve gotten lucky. Even when the day has been rainy, when I’ve headed out on my bike there have been breaks in the rain. The worst I’ve had to deal with so far is the light mist, or, as it’s known in Seattle, “the air.”
But I’ve realized I’m not quite ready for a long, wet winter. The cold I’m prepared for. The soaking wet, not so much. Tops on my want list: good gloves that will dry quickly, and a better rain jacket. I’ve got a thin rain coat, but it looks like a warm, water-resistant jacket will be more than welcome in the coming months.
Also, I like this description from the SBB post. I don’t know if I’ll find rainy biking will be quite as much of a pick-me-up as this, but I’m willing to try.
Especially once days get really short and gray, biking is my best defense against seasonal affective disorder. Pedaling is like generating your own sunshine. It keeps you feeling energized and in touch with Seattle’s natural rainy whimsy that you might miss otherwise.
You mention gloves that will dry quickly, but gloves that don’t get wet are pretty nice. I didn’t own these before I started riding (so they don’t fit the SBB paradigm of regular gear you should have just for moving around, which is generally my advice too).
I sure appreciate them. I wore a pair of Smartwool-lined non-waterproof/resistant gloves one day last week and at the end of the day it was raining pretty steadily; a four-mile ride resulted in really drenched gloves. Since they were lined with Smartwool my hands weren’t cold, but dry would have been nicer.
Wet feet can be the other comfort issue. Wool socks are great; extra-long fenders with a flap on the front so you don’t throw water on your own feet are also nice. (Add a flap on the back so you don’t throw water on the person behind you.)
I find that belting out an occasional refrain from “Singing in the Rain” adds to the pick-me-up effect of wet riding.
I haven’t picked up gloves yet, but I know they’re going to be one of the most important pieces of equipment I get for the winter. Any recommendations for waterproof riding gloves?
I’m also realizing pretty quickly there’s a difference between a wet day, with a mist or a drizzle, and a rainy day with real drops. I think I’m good for the former, but woefully under-equipped (on or off a bike) for the latter.