what a worthless post for anyone but the elitist yuppie gearite who can afford the ultra liteweight biker gear; i'm just trying to stay fed and housed. people who can afford the gear mentioned, also probably drive their cars in the winter, except for getting geared up for the occasional, dry winter ride...just for fun. wow; i'm impressed. i'm out there humping it every mother' day with just the usual rags, getting soaked, and you want me to, what... spend food and rent on lycra warmers, whatver. get a clue. tell me where i can get free rain pants, or some real wool hats...for free or a just a few dollars, or a poncho, or how to avoid getting creamed at rush hour by someone, like you AND YOUR SUBARU, running a red light in the freezing rain when hitting my brakes is shooting pain up my 53 year old tendons, trying to stop in about twice the time it normally takes...
There are local "free" boxes and thrift stores that have anything you'd need, whether you're a no-petroleum-products purist or looking for synthetics. For example, the one at People's Co-op which was an awesome resource before it got closed up because dumbasses kept leaving more than would fit in the cabinet, despite the big sign saying not to do that. Hopefully there will be a way to open it again, despite the idiots.
Sorry about that. Ahem. A suggestion that might not be on the icebike website: chopper bikes. Low center of gravity, less distance to fall.
I cannot afford the lightweight gear either for winter riding. Instead, I wear heavier gear and I too am drenched when I get to work. But like any smart oregonian, I take extra clothes to switch into when I get to work. Often I leave the wet clothes hanging to dry at work so I can wear them the next day.
That being said, I resent the comments by Moi about the Subaru driving/dry weather riding yuppie. I own a Subaru. In fact my wife and I own 1 Subaru. Does she drive it to work? Never, she walks a half a block catches public transport. Do I drive it to work? Occassionaly. But days like today, pissing all day I choose to ride my bike to work. In fact of the 4 days a week I work, I ride at least 3. And this is no short downtown ride. Nor is it some SE to NE little trek. I ride 10 miles each way rain or shine. Thats 20 miles a day. Not because I have too, but because I choose too. I love to ride. And I own a Subaru. So shoot me. But first you have to catch me and I bet you give up after the 8th or 9th mile. If not before.
There are true riders out there. And yes they may own vehicles. But generally it is just to get their bikes to new places. And http://orbike.com/ is an intereseting bike site even if you cannot afford the recommended gear.
PS bike riders who own cars are generally the most conscientious drivers around.
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I LOATHE LEISURE YUPPIE GEARITES..GO AWAY