What to wear - warm but rain or showers?

CantGetNoSleep

I'm due to go on a ride tomorrow but the weather forecast is 21/22 deg. / 30+kmh winds (tailwind on way back :P ) and rain or a lot of showers for at least the first half of the ride. I'm the type who tends to roll over in bed when I hear the rain for the club ride but I'm determined to go tomorrow - I just realised that I've never been on a rainy ride with such warm conditions.

Normally for such weather I'd wear a Gabba but worry that'd be much too warm above 20. My other jacket for rainy days is a Galibier Tourmalet but this is something I can use with just a baselayer at a much lower temperature. So I'm thinking normal summer outfit (i.e. shorts, no shoe covers or belgian booties, mesh baselayer and jersey) with the thinnest rain jacket I can find in my wardrobe (think I have a Rapha Core) and maybe arm warmers in the pocket in case I take the jacket off on the way back.

Any suggestions for what works best in this type of weather?

Wishbone Ash

Short sleeve jersey with gilet.

No need for arm warmers. You won't get cold when wet in summer temperatures.

(Don't try to stay dry. Accept that you are going to be wet.)

CantGetNoSleep

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Short sleeve jersey with gilet.

No need for arm warmers. You won't get cold when wet in summer temperatures.

(Don't try to stay dry. Accept that you are going to be wet.)

Thanks - that would have been what I was planning on wearing before rain was forecast so will likely just not change plan then

smacl

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Thanks - that would have been what I was planning on wearing before rain was forecast so will likely just not change plan then

Had a long sleeve base layer with a short sleeve Jersey over it today. Had a waterproof top tucked in my back pocket but even in the rain didn't bother with it as very warm. Worked grand but short sleeves and gilet would have been the better option.

Weepsie

Skin is waterproof. If it's warm day, it'll be fine.

Arm warmers will just get wet and then you'd be colder, unless you have nanoflex type ones, and they can make you too warm sometimes.

billyhead

You can get very light fold up Rain jackets that you can bring in your back pocket of your jersey.

CantGetNoSleep

Thanks for the suggestions, started to rain lightly about an hour in to a four and a half hour ride and continued relentlessly (the type of rain that doesn't even look too strong but absolutely soaks you). Was perfectly fine in a Galibier gilet and took the nanoflex arm warmers too. A few of the others had rain jackets but were covered in sweat, it was 22 degrees at the end albeit windy. Great day out

Jonesy101

my really light weight gilet seems to stop most of the rain, the type of rain that isnt wet but really annoys you. its all mesh on the back which seems to stay relatively dry. my feet always get cold so take those pocket hand warmers and put them under my toes

De Bhál

Jonesy101 wrote: »

my feet always get cold so take those pocket hand warmers and put them under my toes

Which hand warmers are these, sounds interesting.

Wishbone Ash

De Bhál wrote: »

Which hand warmers are these, sounds interesting.

I presume he/she is referring to those one which are available in adventure/camping stores etc. They work by instigating some sort of chemical reaction when opened and last several hours. I've seen club colleagues use them.

https://www.halfords.ie/motoring/travel-accessories/travel-equipment/hot-hands-hand-warmers-twin-pack-655088.html

Mercian Pro

De Bhál wrote: »

Which hand warmers are these, sounds interesting.

Can't imagine using the chemical handwarmers anytime other than winter. I would have thought marino socks and/or overshoes would work well on a wet summer's ride but there's no accounting for cold feet.

De Bhál

Mercian Pro wrote: »

Can't imagine using the chemical handwarmers anytime other than winter. I would have thought marino socks and/or overshoes would work well on a wet summer's ride but there's no accounting for cold feet.

Was for winter ridds, I asked. Cold toes or hands can ruin a spin.

Mercian Pro

De Bhál wrote: »

Was for winter ridds, I asked. Cold toes or hands can ruin a spin.

Aah, that explains that. If you do a search here for "cold hands" or "cold feet", you'll find plenty of threads as the questions get asked regularly the week after the first serious cold spell of the Autumn.

It comes down to a choice between combinations of socks, shoes and overshoes, specialist cycling boots or the chemical warmers. Be aware that some posters who think they suffer from cold feet and have found a solution may not really have a problem as severe as your own.

Best not to go into it too much here or it will jinx the "Summer" weather

dinneenp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions, started to rain lightly about an hour in to a four and a half hour ride and continued relentlessly (the type of rain that doesn't even look too strong but absolutely soaks you). Was perfectly fine in a Galibier gilet and took the nanoflex arm warmers too. A few of the others had rain jackets but were covered in sweat, it was 22 degrees at the end albeit windy. Great day out

Which Galibier gilet did you use? VENTULTRA, izoard or mistral lite?
Think I'm going to go for the VENTULTRA, prefer the look of mistral lite but it seems to be for colder weather.
Thanks
Pa

CantGetNoSleep

Galibier Aix - would recommend it too

onlineweb

Bought an Altura water & windproof jacket.

Perfect for this sort of weather, plus it looks great.

dinneenp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Galibier Aix - would recommend it too

Thanks, ordered the Aix. It's a bit heavier than the Ventultura so should get more use.
Cheers,
Pa

dinneenp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Galibier Aix - would recommend it too

Impressive-ordered and email an hour or two later saying its packed and en route!
Cheers,
Pa

CantGetNoSleep

dinneenp wrote: »

Thanks, ordered the Aix. It's a bit heavier than the Ventultura so should get more use.
Cheers,
Pa

I have the Decathlon equivalent of the Ventultra - it is useful if you are starting very early in the morning on a nice day and are sure you will be taking it off, and if you just want to have the smallest possible extra layer in your pocket. The Aix is more versatile and still fits in a jersey pocket

Alanbt

I find the sportful fiandre light no rain jersey great. Very light but offer some protection if showers. Throw a pair of their arm warmers in jersey pocket and set