Any wearers of bike capes in?

We saw someone wearing one on top of Green Gable in the Lake District a few week back - wasn't even raining, but was very windy. Was surprised he didn't blow away..

I bet they’re draggy.

I have used one many years ago.  Work well if you have decent mudguards until you hit a headwind when its like wearing a parachute

A pal wore one touring recently, and I've been tempted but have since bought a decent waterproof jacket.

Will find a pic.

For full 1970s effect it needs to be bright yellow and made from tarpaulin...

Carradice do a nice waxed cotton one.

You need full mudguards, otherwise it's like wearing a shower curtain with the spray coming up from below.
Also, they're terrible in wind, you can't signal and you'll look like a dork.

Get some basic waterproof trousers with big side zips that you can just pull on and a cheap waterproof jacket. I had some that lived in my rucksack when I was commuting for emergency use. Only really needed them a couple of times - certainly not enough times to justify buying top end kit.

Does anyone here used one that they can recommend?

I love that you wrote that sotto voce

Get some basic waterproof trousers with big side zips that you can just pull on and a cheap waterproof jacket.

A previous commute was just under 4 miles and in bad weather I used this very same solution. It was pretty much fool-proof, any further and it would've been un-comfy but for 20 mins it was bang on. 

until you hit a headwind when its like wearing a parachute

But a good tailwind must be like being a riding God, surely?

Dollar Bill - did he die in vain?

Not sure how you'd prevent sideways spray coming from the contact patch of the front tyre from soaking your shins. I don't think any mudguard is big enough to stop that, so waterproof trousers are the only way when it's sodden. Also waterproof shoes quite important; boots better so your socks don't get wet.

Basic overtrousers are shit, but good ones are avaialble, important to have stretch panels on the knee and arse, and some means of cinching in the flap.

I tried one but found the wind resistance was just hugely demoralising so went back to a jacket and trousers with mudguards. Decathlon used to do excellent pull on trousers with shoe covers included. Dont waste money on fancy breathable fabrics, you just want the old fashioned rubberised nylon that sheds water.  https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/city-cycling-rain-overtrousers-with-built-in-overshoes-100-black/_/R-p-169380?mc=8402040

Also waterproof shoes quite important; boots better so your socks don’t get wet.

Rain cape + wellington boots or waders...

Basic overtrousers are shit, but good ones are avaialble

Mine were waterproof walking trousers from Patagonia, big long side zips with press-studs to cinch them and a simple elasticated waist, you could get them on in seconds. Good material and taped seams, so completed waterproof. I mean, hot as hell, but like I said; for 20 mins it was fine.

I wore a cape for a summer of commuting (in 1998) because my mum bought me it.

After a massive rain storm where I rode home with a bucket of water repeatedly forming on my handle bars I gave up. It did the job, I was mostly dry

I have RAF goretex trousers and a waterproof jacket that live in my commuting bag now.

OP, you need to join the RSF

I used to have a pair of rainlegs when I was riding my Brompton most days. Far less faffy to put on than overtrousers, take up less space in a bag, keep the tops of your legs dry which is the main thing - proper mudguards stop most of the splash upwards. That plus a jacket is all you need for shorter urban stuff.

OP, you need to join the RSF

I look at photos like that and my first thought is always; Did they forget how to make coats in the late 60's or something?

I did in the 70's complete with bobble-hat head protection just ;like the photo above.
Squat and you have an instant emergency shelter or bivvie with convenient lookout hole for the helicopter.

I look at photos like that and my first thought is always; Did they forget how to make coats in the late 60’s or something?

They were just 'arder.

I'm pretty sure Nurse Gladys Emmanuel from Open all Hours had a cycle cape...

They were just ‘arder.

...of thinking, perhaps?

fasgadh Free Member
Dollar Bill – did he die in vain?

Don't try riding through any revolving doors and you'll be fine.

Having seen how a wingsuit works on you tube, I can understand why cycle capes arent as popular.

Decathlon used to do excellent pull on trousers with shoe covers included. Dont waste money on fancy breathable fabrics, you just want the old fashioned rubberised nylon that sheds water.> https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/city-cycling-rain-overtrousers-with-built-in-overshoes-100-black/_/R-p-169380?mc=8402040

You've got to admire the professionalism of the models, gamely trying to look stylish in a pair of welly trousers.

I have one.

Found it to be more of a faff than it was worth but do occasionally use it when walking the dog in torrential rain.

Take a look at RainLegs - with a waterproof jacket (and full mudguards) these work really well to keep trousers dry in rain. Really easy to put on and off too.
https://www.comfyhorse.co.uk/product/waterproof-protective-rainlegs/

Until then - Derek Watts of Wolfsville, Nova Scotia on a tour of the Scottish borders. May 2000.

That was a seriously wet week!

Cyclist wearing a cape?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq_xTeWiv6I&pp=ygUfTW9udHkgUHl0aG9uIGJpY3ljbGUgcmVwYWlyIG1hbg%3D%3D

If forgotten about rain legs. My dad had a pair of those too. 

I've got all the usual cycling waterproof kit. Just trying to find a solution that minimises the wet kit hanging about an office with nowhere to hang wet kit.

Just trying to find a solution that minimises the wet kit hanging about an office with nowhere to hang wet kit.

Use the md's office, especially their chair, to dry stuff. The problem will resolve itself soon enough.