Rainy Ride Add-ons from last week's Roadbike rider.com com e-newsletter Enjoy Don W. "Several roadies e-mailed us about specific products they find effective. Here's the lowdown: RAIN PANTS In newsletter No. 265 you said "Rain pants are available but they are usually blousy, noisy and overkill." I agree, but I rode through many a storm during Northern California's record rainfall winter wearing a great product from Europe called Rainlegs. They only cover the front of your legs, so you still get plenty of air. They fit tight enough to not flap or make noise. I am not affiliated with the company, just an extremely satisfied customer! Take a look at http://www.rainlegs.co.uk -- Tom K. GLOVES Hey guys, the Duluth Trading Company makes full-finger waterproof and coldproof gloves with outstanding tactile qualities. They're called Ironclad Cold Condition and designed for winter construction workers. I have been riding in them for many years and have always appreciated the quality. The palms are padded very nearly like cycling gloves too. -- Robert H. http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/29020.aspx?feature=Product_6 Give SealSkinz a try. They have a waterproof-but-breathable membrane with a wool lining for warmth. They stretch a bit for dexterity, have a high collar and non-slip dots on the palm for a good grip. Info at http://www.sealskinz.com -- Peter B. JACKET Last spring I toured in Eastern Europe in a Showers Pass Elite rain jacket. The first three weeks from Prague to Vienna were in a cold rain almost every day. With all the climbing in that section of Europe I expected to be wet either from the rain or from the effort required to pedal my 100-pound bike over the large hills. After touring for more than 35 years in over 50 countries using many different rain jackets, none provided the protection or the wicking that the Elite did. Finally a jacket that works. -- Bill H. http://www.showerspass.com LIGHTS The only way to survive (in San Jose, anyway) in the reduced visibility of rainy weather is to make yourself really visible. Ordinary bright bike lights are readily visible in the daytime under gray skies, and a little attention-getting will help ensure you make it home. It's now the law in California that drivers must use headlights in the daytime if there is enough precipitation to keep wipers on continuously. That's a good idea for bikes, too. -- Jon S. FENDERS Riding in the rain actually becomes enjoyable absent the gritty, salty spray flung from your tires. With full-coverage fenders you won't need booties or a rain jacket unless it's really pouring down. You'll stay drier and more comfortable, and your bike will be substantially cleaner. Grit won't get packed into the headset and brakes or sprayed onto the chain. Even the shorty clip-on fenders for modern racing bikes will keep the crud off of your upper body and out of your headset, although they won't help riders behind you much. I like Honjo aluminum full-coverage fenders, but they don't fall into the "easy on, easy off" category and won't fit on modern racing bikes. Esge, Zefal, and Planet Bike are other good brands. SKS/Esge Raceblades seem to be the best of the sorry lot for clip-ons. Tip for this election season: Check out http://www.mile43.com/peterson/FendForYourself.html for instructions on how to make full-coverage fenders (even for racing bikes with zero-clearance brakes) from recycled Coroplast campaign signs. Once built, they go on and come off with a few zip-ties and a minute or two. -- Will D.