I was recently invited to guest blog for one of my favorite Seattle-based shops: Hub and Bespoke. Visiting their shop is like entering a world where lycra doesn’t exist. Instead of tight jerseys and endless synthetic material, you’ll find gorgeous dresses, stunning accessories, and endless cycling-inspired goodies. I often cycle up to the shop to get inspiration for how fashionable cycling can be.
They learned top eight tips for rainy riding:
“While Seattle natives might have the rainy ride down, this New-York-raised velophile had to learn the secrets the hard way. I’ll let you in on my top eight tricks, so you don’t have to follow in my soggy pedal strokes.
- Fenders: I don’t use an umbrella in Seattle (so you guys will like me), so why should I use fenders? The truth is, after purchasing a pair of Planet Bike SpeedEZ Fenders, the streaks I usually get from hip to helmet are non-existent. Pro tip: add mud flaps to your fenders and all of your fellow commuters will cheer you on, without getting grit in their teeth.
- Booties: As a huge fan of clipless pedals, I wear the same pair of shoes to work every day. They are not even a little waterproof, so booties are a must. Whether you wear cycling-specific shoes or not, tracking dirt and mud around after a ride is no fun! A pair of waterproof shoe covers keeps the gross out and the warmth in.
- Rain Chaps or Pants: In light rain I strap on my chaps (Rainlegs) to keep the tops of my thighs dry. In torrential downpours, I pull on my full-zip pants which double as mountaineering/hiking pants, and head out without a worry. Staying dry can be that simple.
Just keep spinning. — Arielle