QUESTION:
As a fashion-conscious person, is there any way to stay dry while riding a bike in the rain and still look good?
Answer:
Good question. It's very easy to stay dry and comfortable on a bike in the rain if fashion isn't an issue. We stay dry when commuting by wearing battered yellow waterproof cycling jackets with black oil stains, water resistant tights tucked over (not under) waterproof shoe covers, and top off the whole ensemble with waterproof yellow helmet covers - also inexplicably covered with oil stains.
Oh, and of course waterproof ski gloves (also oil stained).
You have no doubt spotted many rainy day cyclists sporting a slight variation on this basic theme and have not been sartorially impressed. In defense of this attire, it works very well (the oil stains are optional).
If your journey ends at a location where you can shower and change, allowing you to emerge from the locker room looking spiffy, it may not even damage your fashion credentials.
But say you're a fashionista just hoping to ride a few blocks to your friend's birthday party and there happens to be a slight drizzle with a chance of rain.
What can you do to stay dry and still make heads turn?
Why not pull on a pair of those ankle-height, gold rubber boots to make an excellent waterproof fashion statement?
Paired with that woolen little black dress, black tights (they hide the grease) and a reflective sequined sweater, topped by the see-through waterproof cape that grandma kept in her purse, you could go anywhere.
Don't forget to accessorize!
And unless you and any other cyclist riding nearby are in dire need of a free mudpack facial, for goodness sake, put some fenders on that bike already.
One final tip: A skateboard-style bicycle helmet will keep your head drier than a traditional helmet, which means you can leave the helmet cover at home.
We have our hair dresser pre-style our hair for helmet head. This way, the helmet simply preserves the coquette in us, mon cheri. So Breakfast at Tiffany's!
No matter how inclement the weather, there's a style out there for every cyclist.
Looking good guys!
The Pedal Pushers are Dan Campbell, Antje Wahl, Anita Leonhard and Heather Drugge, four North Shore residents who use their bikes for transportation. They can be reached at [email protected].
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