Sunday 17th March in a Downpour on the Brommie!

11.20 miles 18.6 max speed. 1hr 19. Star date 76 Even though it started tipping it down about 10 minutes into my ride, I just didn't care.  If you can find the right kit that allows you to stay dry and keeps you warm then it's as easy as riding a bike!

Keeping the extremities of the body warm and dry are crucial.  I have leather boots that are half a size bigger than my normal size to allow for thick socks and I always keep a spare pair of socks with me.  The same for gloves, always a spare pair too.

But gloves are a bit of a hit and a miss. A blue Gore pair keep my hands warm if the weather is above 5 degrees and I'm just pootling.  If it is less than that and it is raining the pink Goretex ones are so far the best.  They only keep the rain out if you can pull your sleeves over the top of them (not always easy) and they don't stop your hands from sweating.  Once you have taken them off - to eat something or use your mobile - putting them on again is unpleasant but doable.  I also have a pair of woollen Altura ones but if they get wet they are no good at all.  

And you can't always believe what you read.  At the Bike Show I bought two pairs of Pro Equipe gloves which say they are perfect for 0 degrees. Poppycock!  They are completely useless and will be worn as a summer glove, or a lining in the winter, if that.

Waterproof over-trousers are an item in the winter I don't leave home without.  And they were not the cheapest.  Mine are Goretex Pactlite, they breathe a little bit although it does depend on what you are wearing underneath them and how much pedalling you are doing. They do keep you bone dry.   

If I'm in jeans, I only wear them when the rain is heavy and constant. Cycling in wet jeans is a very unpleasant experience as Denim is heavy and cold when it is wet and takes ages to dry out. Yuk Yuk Yuk!

For long rides, when I'm wearing cycling leggings and I am not pedalling very hard, I can wear the overtrousers all day without a problem. But up hills or where it is a bit of a workout, I take them off as I just overheat.

But the cheaper ones don't breathe at all which means you sweat like there is no tomorrow and you are better off without them than with them.   It is a bit of hit and miss, we are all different and our body thermostats all work very differently.  Some of my cycling friends wear over trousers for all their winter rides and have no problem at all.