Wet Gloves? The News Solution - Other Tips?

[Aushiker]

Hi

Stolen from Bicycle Hacks but really posting here for others information and for others to suggest other little winter riding tips.

One way to fight damp, wet clothing is with newspaper. Way back in a Bike Hacks Classic entry I talked about how I will stuff my shoes with newspaper after a wet ride to help speed up the drying process. You can also use a rubber band to wrap the shoe with newspaper.

Well the same thing works for gloves. After a recent wet ride I reached for the newspaper and the result is simple and fairly effective. Even more effective is if you have an air vent in your office that you can place your articles near to help make it so you do not have to put on damp clothing later on.

Andrew

[Aushiker]

Hi

One more tip that could be applied to commuting (the drying part) ...



Andrew

[alexander]

I find the superrobaix material really helps, and I wear this as much as I can in rainy rides. Secondly I try to wear drying synthetics, like skins or compression garments, they have wicking properties which ensures they dry quicker. Wool works to keep you warm but it tends to retain water, so I don't use it.

Drying techniques include, hanging, towel wrapping, and well ventilated areas. I don't put them next to excessive heat. That can ruin the fabrics, melt, mishape, etc. So for me, it's either water proof or wicking. Either way it doesn't stay wet for long.

Wet gloves are really uncomfortable. I ski as well, and this can be a problem, wet gloves in cold conditions are extremely uncomfortable. I'd suggest an outer layer that is waterproof, the outer layer doesn't have to be lined, just to keep you dry, but it's a trade off, sweaty hot insides, or cold wet insides. Goretex is good, but it's breathing can be a problem, event material is the new thing, macpac has gloves that use this, apparently it's much better in allowing sweat to escape.

[hartleymartin]

An old trick from Scouts/Cadets. Carry a newspaper or two with you. It makes for good tinder for fire-starting, but if your shoes/boots get soaked, you shake them out as best you can, and stuff them with newspaper overnight to dry them out as much as possible. In any case, a good rain cape and mudguards (and mudflaps) will take care of most of your wet weather issues.

[Fred Nurk]

Not quite what most people are asking for, but theres a compressor for a split system air con outside my office, with a duct fitted. Since I live in the tropics, the air from it is always hot.

Works great for putting my wet riding shoes on, so I don't have wet shoes on the ride home. Not so good for clothes though.

[goneriding]

newspaper or papr towels under a vent seems to work best. The other option is to carry a spare pair. I do that with socks as they never dry no matter what I do.

I have a pair at work so I can leave the wet ones overnight to dry.