It was cold, and the rain hitting my face hurts like mad. I had to stop every 5 minutes to wipe the water from my glasses so that I could see where I was going.
On top of that, I'd forgotten my wallet at home, so when I stopped by a coffee shop to dry up I couldn't buy anything. The girl at the counter was really nice and gave me a cup to get whatever I wanted. I waited for about half an hour to see if the rain would let up. It did not. So I went with it. It was to be an approx 33 mile ride.
After I'd made about 1/3 of the way I had to call for reinforcement from home: an extra layer, a helmet with a face-shield, and a car following behind me so that I can ride with one less worry.
I'd never been this soaking wet on a scooter before. Thawing now.
» Current: 2006 Saabaru 9-2x Aero, 2006 Scion xB, Original '07 Series Italia, 2003 Marin Highway One » Departed: 2004 Subaru WRX, 1999 1/2 VW GTI
I am so sorry, but good for you for making it home safe and sound!
My husband got stuck by the rain around I-70 and Washington for about 3 hours- his air filter got so soaked it wasn't running anymore. I was going to go rescue him, but he just had to be tough as nails and drove home in a torrent after drying his air filter a little bit at the little friendly bar we like. What a night! And here I was, going to ride my scooter to Louisville for the first time today. Thank goodness I did not.
Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container.
Thanks. I was really glad to have reinforcement. Otherwise, I don't know if I could've made it back. The helmet swap made a huge difference in me actually being able to see where I'm going instead of stopping every 5 minutes to clean my glasses.
It started sprinkling in Boulder in the early afternoon after we'd finished with the oil change and spark plug, but I was weary of getting on the road then because of the oil slick. I figured that if I waited a bit things might get better.
Hah... joke's on me. That was the longest ride from Boulder to Denver I've ever had.
» Current: 2006 Saabaru 9-2x Aero, 2006 Scion xB, Original '07 Series Italia, 2003 Marin Highway One » Departed: 2004 Subaru WRX, 1999 1/2 VW GTI
Oh yeah, you absolutely can't ride if you can't see.
We have been dreaming of making these for a couple years, but of course, then we ride in nice weather and never think of the project again until it is too late, and we are stuck in rain...
Dracolibris wrote:Oh yeah, you absolutely can't ride if you can't see.
We have been dreaming of making these for a couple years, but of course, then we ride in nice weather and never think of the project again until it is too late, and we are stuck in rain...
Heheheh my old snowboarding glove has that. It didn't work very well with goggles. Helmets might fare better, though, because the face shield is usually flush with the helmet and you have more surface area to wipe w/o running into an edge.
» Current: 2006 Saabaru 9-2x Aero, 2006 Scion xB, Original '07 Series Italia, 2003 Marin Highway One » Departed: 2004 Subaru WRX, 1999 1/2 VW GTI
I had a similar experience once coming back to Longmont from a Denver group ride. I had a passenger with me, the rain was ice cold, and my new "anti-fog" face shield was fogging up so bad, I could barely see 20 feet in front of me. I finally pulled over and said to hell with it, ripped the shield off and just went with clear goggles. It was absolutely miserable, but at least I could see.
I got caught in that same storm last night. I was soaked by the time I got to the gym (I might have cancelled but the wife forgot her phone, and thus there was no way to warn her that I'd not be there). After the gym it was pouring, and I rode home in that.
took apart the helmet liner and let it sit overnight, it dried really well. much better than the jeans that are still soaked.
Yeah, it was raining pretty good yesterday! It's just one more instance that keeps me from buying a "Summer helmet" instead of wearing my full-face year round.
I keep my MC rain pants in the pet carrier but I only had my mesh jacket with a rain liner sine it was in the 90's the day before! Not only was it raining, but it was only about 54 degrees, too .
I had just taken my waterproof leather gloves out of the pet carrier for the Summer so I only had my mesh gloves. I was kinda chilly when I got home.
I really don't mind riding in the rain and have done so in some pretty good T-storm soakers. Hail, on the other hand...... that will make me look for cover and pull over!
.::I know the voices in my head aren't real, but man do they come up with some great ideas::.
I didn't get caught in the actual storm but in some of the rain that happened in the afternoon. I didn’t have my rain jacket at work so it was just me and my mesh jacket (with a liner) and helmet.
I got caught in the rain in FL about 3 times a year- the crazy blinding rain. It's not fun. Yes rain hurts! Here, the rain is a LOT colder as well!!
I always point out this rain jacket from ArmyNavyDeals.com. I've had it for a few years and it holds up well. It's got a combination of different flaps that really works well if fastened correctly. The hood is thin and can generally fit under a helmet. And it's long enough that it covers a good bit of your lap when you ride. It folds up and fits well in the pet carrier or other luggage as well. $16.
My 9yo went with me to run a quick errand and it was beautiful and sunny out when we left. We arrived at our destination, did our shopping, and left 10 minutes later. It was POURING rain as we were leaving. We waited a bit because I though for sure it would stop as quickly as it started. . . but it didn't. So we had to go for it! I've ridden in the rain plenty of times before but NEVER with a little one with me. We were both frozen by the time we got home and she commented "WOW, Mommy, raindrops hurt". Yes. Yes they do.
I always carry a garbage bag in my scoot when there's even a remote chance of rain. Nothing worse than coming out to a wet seat or riding with wet butt.
Well, actually, many things are worse. But it sucks.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
Yeah, having the proper gear is HUGE. I always carry thin REI rain pants (zippers the length of both legs) if there's the slightest chance of rain. ...and if you have boots, water proof gloves, a rainworthy textile jacket and a full face helmet you can weather a pretty good rain squall and not get wet at all.
The only thing is needing to crack your visor open a bit periodically or it starts fogging up.
I had lasik back in 2000 and I tell you I totally don't miss glasses...wore them from the age of 6 until 40. It took a few years before I quit trying to push my non-existent glasses up.
Past bikes: 08' Genuine Buddy 125, '07 Yamaha Majesty 400, '07 Piaggio MP3 250, '08 Piaggio MP3 500, '08 Aprilia Scarabeo 500
Current bikes: Two '09 Genuine Buddy 125's
Agree on the rain pants. Living in the NW and commuting by scoot makes 'em a necessity. The rain still sucks from a visibility standpoint, but at least you stay dry.
michelle_7728 wrote:Yeah, having the proper gear is HUGE. I always carry thin REI rain pants (zippers the length of both legs) if there's the slightest chance of rain.
I gave the REI gear a thought as the pants were really cool with the full zipper thing.
However even on sale they are still 69$ a piece (so 140 for a full suit) and they only come in black without any reflective surface on them
michelle_7728 wrote:Yeah, having the proper gear is HUGE. I always carry thin REI rain pants (zippers the length of both legs) if there's the slightest chance of rain.
I gave the REI gear a thought as the pants were really cool with the full zipper thing.
However even on sale they are still 69$ a piece (so 140 for a full suit) and they only come in black without any reflective surface on them
What about Frogg Toggs? I have them and they have never let me down. Plus the jacket I got is neon green, so there is some pretty decent visibility. They are cheaper than $140 (can't remember the exact price though). I got them after a motorcycling neighbor recommended them.
ericalm wrote:I always carry a garbage bag in my scoot when there's even a remote chance of rain. Nothing worse than coming out to a wet seat or riding with wet butt.
I keep an old hand towel in the pet carrier at all times. Not perfect, and it's only really good for one use (maybe two) in a day, but it dries off the seat well enough to avoid Wet Butt Syndrome, and also wipe off the speedo, mirrors, etc.
Last edited by TVB on Fri May 25, 2012 12:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jonlink wrote:What about Frogg Toggs? I have them and they have never let me down. Plus the jacket I got is neon green, so there is some pretty decent visibility. They are cheaper than $140 (can't remember the exact price though). I got them after a motorcycling neighbor recommended them.
I use the Frogg Toggs I bought years ago for backpacking whenever I know/expect I'm going to be in the rain. Getting a bit worn in places but they keep me pretty dry. They also roll up nice and small to fit in my Tactical Bail Out Bag along with the rain cover for my gear (also purchased for backpacking) and my other quick-access stuff for road-tripping.
michelle_7728 wrote:Yeah, having the proper gear is HUGE. I always carry thin REI rain pants (zippers the length of both legs) if there's the slightest chance of rain.
I gave the REI gear a thought as the pants were really cool with the full zipper thing.
However even on sale they are still 69$ a piece (so 140 for a full suit) and they only come in black without any reflective surface on them
michelle_7728 wrote:Yeah, having the proper gear is HUGE. I always carry thin REI rain pants (zippers the length of both legs) if there's the slightest chance of rain.
I gave the REI gear a thought as the pants were really cool with the full zipper thing.
However even on sale they are still 69$ a piece (so 140 for a full suit) and they only come in black without any reflective surface on them
michelle_7728 wrote:Yeah, having the proper gear is HUGE. I always carry thin REI rain pants (zippers the length of both legs) if there's the slightest chance of rain.
I gave the REI gear a thought as the pants were really cool with the full zipper thing.
However even on sale they are still 69$ a piece (so 140 for a full suit) and they only come in black without any reflective surface on them
I just bought the pants. My armored jackets either are rainproof (textile jacket) or have a waterproof liner (mesh jacket).
The pants appear to be some kind of coated nylon that folds up pretty small.
Past bikes: 08' Genuine Buddy 125, '07 Yamaha Majesty 400, '07 Piaggio MP3 250, '08 Piaggio MP3 500, '08 Aprilia Scarabeo 500
Current bikes: Two '09 Genuine Buddy 125's
After 40 plus years of riding through everything, including the winter in snow and 10 degree weather, on frozen lakes and snowmobile tracks and the likes, I don't go out anymore unless it's 70 degrees and rising and the sun is shining.
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It took a few years before I quit trying to push my non-existent glasses up. 
