Bicycle commuters — what do you do when you know it’s going to rain?

Do you have a rainsuit for riding your bike? A waterproof backpack for your work clothes? Do you decide to take the bike that day?

I commuted 2.5 mi / 4 km each way for 12 years by bike, year round, rain or snow in Ottawa, Canada. I also rode 15 km / 10 mi each way for 2 years. I used one (or two if necessary) small panier bags on a rear carrier to carry bike clothing, rain jacket, etc), or — in the last couple of years — a large bicycle messenger bag.

Since, for the shorter commute, I didn’t have access to a shower I would ride to work in my work clothes — unless it was a really warm day (in which case I wore bike clothes and simply changed in the washroom). For the longer commute I had access to a shower and locker room, so I always wore bike clothes and packed clothes in a plastic bag in my paniers (supposedly waterproof, but I never trusted them).

If it was raining when I had to leave for work I’d walk or, if pressed for time, take the bus (no car, so driving wasn’t an option)

I never really minded if it rained on my way home, since in summer I usually changed into bike clothes and didn’t mind if they got wet (they would anyway from sweat!). I did pack a rain jacket in case it was cool (wet clothes aren’t comfortable unless it’s warm). Riding in the rain is only a problem re visibility (glasses steam up, and you have to be more aware of drivers since they don’t expect bicycles as much).

In winter I wore a pair of Gortex rain pants and rain jacket over work clothes, supplemented as necessary by a sweater, gloves, face mask, goggles, etc. I rode in temperatures as low as 35C below zero.

Hope that helps.

Mavericks Swig Waterproof Pack

Mens Billabong Backpacks – Billabong Komplete Backpack $54.5 Rasta colored stripes with Billabong logo on back. Main waterproof compartment for wet suit. Secondary pocket. Organizer pocket. Dual zip side pockets. Black zipper pulls. 20″ height. 15″ depth. 8″ width. Imported. 100% polyester.

Mens Dakine Backpacks – Dakine Point Wet/Dry Backpack $60 Online Exclusive! Large main compartment. Organizer pocket. Waterproof wetsuit pocket. Small fleece lined sunglass pocket. Two mesh side pockets. Black zipper pulls. 20″ height. 15″ width. 7″ depth.

Mens Dakine Backpacks – Dakine Interval Wet/Dry Backpack $80 Online Exclusive! Camouflaged backpack with three main compartments. Main pocket. Organizer pocket. Insulated cooler pocket. Zip sides pockets. Waterproof wetsuit pocket on back. Tarp wax pocket. Orange zipper pulls. 20″ height. 14.5″ width. 6″ depth.

EK Sticko Stickers Biking $1.89 EK Sticko Stickers are acid free and photo safe. Great for collecting, invitations, stationery, gift wrapping, parties, scrapbooking and much more! Use stickers in all your projects! Biking- This is a collection of 18 stickers that include all you need for biking. There are two bikes, gloves, water bottles, shirt and pants, helmets, a bike rack and road signs with Share the Road, Bike Route and a bike sign. They vary in size from approximately 5/8″ to 2.5″.

Quad Biking at Palm Grove, Marrakech $146.09 A roller coaster ride awaits you at the lush Palm Grove in the city of Marrakech. Go quad biking in its seemingly endless green expanse. Admire the luxury homes, sports clubs, golf courses and splendid hotels nestled in the shade of over a hundred thousand trees as you zip through this green region in Marrakech. Adventure for the adrenaline seekers blended with picturesque landscapes, your quad biking experience in Palm Grove, Marrakech will be unrivalled.

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