Run, Bike, Run

If finding a rain jacket isn’t hard enough, trying to find something to keep the lower half dry is a real problem. For cycle specific rain pants the only pair I have had are from J&G. Then I have tried some other non-cycling pants, some worked, others didn’t.

The rain pants from J&G I purchased were the basic Waterproof pants in the 3X size. Construction is right on with the jacket, nicely sewn with reflective tabs around the ankles. While the 3X size is listed as a waist of 47-49 inches and a inseam of 34 inches, I found the rise in the back of the pants to be tad short and gave a bit of “plumbers butt” if not careful. But just to keep in mind, at 6′4″ I’m a Clyde in both girth and hight. I have a long torso and wear a 32″ inseam, so they get a little baggy at the bottom. The zips at the bottom are a bit small for my size 14 shoes.

My first set of non-cycling pants that I have used are Frogg Toggs  Pro Angler Suit. I purchased these some time ago and for use on both my bicycle and motorcycle. I carried these with me on my 20o mile self contained tour of the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island. The pant’s are a bib style that help prevent the “plummers butt” but also can be a bit warmer due to the extra fabric on the chest. But for me that is not a minus since most of the rain here is on the cool side. The sizing on my set are very much on the big side with the 3x showing a waist size of 50-54 inches and inseam of 36′ inches. They seem every bit of that and maybe a bit more so they are baggy on me (not something I’m use to). The inseam kills since it all bags up at the ankles and can get caught in the chain ring really easy.  I have not used the jacket that comes with the set for cycle riding but I would think it would be comfortable, but since it is designed for bib use it is a bit on the short side.

The last set of pants are are from the sporting goods store Cabela’s. Their packable Nylon Rain Bibs are very well made and are very true to fit with the 3X running 48-50 inch waist. The length is good with the standard inseam measuring 30 1/2 inches and the tall (yes you can get talls here) adding another 2 inches. The appropriate inseams make these alot better while riding, minimizing chain ring  interference. The only real minus on these pants are they with out a doubt non-breathable. If you really work up a hard sweat you will know it, but at least you will stay warm. These are the pants that I wear the most when commuting, they go on quick and y easy over the shoes. With the current price at $44.95 for the tall 3X size makes them pretty reasonable. If you don’t feel like bibs are your thing they are also available in regular pant style. 

If you have any other pant’s or jackets that you like I would like to hear about them and share with others.

With the winter season the Pacific Northwest, the weather still allows riding if you don’t mind the rain. But for the Clyde, finding gear that fits can be difficult. I currently have 2 different cycling specific jackets that I wear while riding.

The first jacket is the J & G  water proof rain jacket. This was my first cycling specific jacket and probably still the one I wear the most. The sizing listed by J & G shows the 2X chest size at 52-55 inches and a 3X size going from 56-58 inches. I have the 2X and find it true to size, fitting well through the chest and a good length. The jacket is ventilated very well by huge zippered openings in the armpits that extend down the arm and body of the jacket. These “pit zips” are perfect for riding the recumbent allowing a nice controllable air flow that the back vented jackets can’t due with our high back seats.  Having worn this jacket now for over 2 years, it still is showing very little wear and looks great. J & G does have a breathable version available but note the sizing is smaller than the plain water proof jacket.

The other jacket in the closet is the REI Novara Express Jacket.  It’s a well made jacket that is a 2 layer coated nylon, the model I have only has the back venting for air circulation. This is a problem with the recumbent but it did do a nice job while riding my diamond frame bikes.  While the construction seems good, I have had problems with the zipper pulling apart near the bottom while it is zipped up.  Also while the chest sizing and arm sizing are right for it’s size, I do find the the jacket tapers down at the waist which does make it a bit tight. I’m not sure why the cut the jacket that way, most “extended size” people don’t taper in that way very often. Currently the extended sizes available are 3XL with a 52-55 inch chest and 4XL with 56-59 in chest. Of note, the current jacket does list under arm vents missing from mine.

http://www.bicycleclothing.com

http://www.rei.com/product/771256#

From the Oregon Human Powered Vehicle Yahoo! Group,

I just found this t-shirt on the Terry website http://www.terrybicycles.com/detail.html?item_no=1008&c=On+Sale 

If the link doesn’t work, go to www.terrybicycles.com then click on the tab for “On Sale”, then click for “Tees/Sweatshirts”, then scroll to the bottom row, you’ll see the picture.  Even tho this is a women’s clothing website, these are Men’s t-shirts – with a recumbent (short wheelbase) on the front, only one color (barn red) but on sale for $12.00.  I thought someone here might buy one or two

Awsome find, seeing that I spent alot of time during vacation in Colorado trying to find this exact shirt with zero luck. As of this morning they have XXL in stock, and one is on the way to me.

UPDATE: 1/24/09- WOW!! Ordered on Thursday, came in the mail Saturday. Talk about service, Terry receives 2 thumbs up from the clyde.