Shopping Spree

Under-The-Weather Biking

by Felicia D'Ambrosio

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The recent opening of the bike lanes on Pine and Spruce, combined with the long-overdue death of my 1991 Volvo station wagon, has me thinking about the logistics of an all-bicycle lifestyle. Living in a place where you can ride a bike rather than drive a car for primary transportation is both a blessing and a challenge. Vanishing gym, auto and therapy bills will increase your disposable income approximately 1,000 percent, but now you must propel yourself to all destinations in weather both fair and foul. Gearing up correctly is the key to a smooth transition to a pedal-powered life.

With the cash saved from ditching the gas guzzler, invest in a sleek waterproof jacket (pictured) and pants from Performance Bike Shop (1300 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-336-4500, performancebike.com), which lacks indie cred but has apparel that'll keep you warm and dry in wet weather. Dramatic types on vintage postal bikes should look to the Brits, those hardy, year-round cyclists, for revelatory rainwear: The hunter green Duxback rain capes from Carradice (peterwhitecycles.com) can be thrown over any outfit and, thrillingly, come complete with matching spats.

The tent-like structure of the rain cape keeps you much cooler than a waterproof jacket-and-pant combo, but does require a full set of bike fenders if you want to keep yourself dry underneath the cape. Fenders will deflect the mud and grit of the wet street that would otherwise splash onto you and anyone behind you. Online super-retailer Bike Nashbar (nashbar.com) stocks a variety of fenders that can be installed on road, mountain and hybrid commuting bikes.

Now that you're protected from the mean ol' world, get on that bike and ride to the Bicycle Coalition's Biketoberfest fundraiser, where you can revel in your newly lean thighs and hardy sense of adventure.

Sun., Oct. 18, 2-6 p.m., $8-$10, Dock Street Brewery, 701 S. 50th St., 215-726-2337, bicyclecoalition.org.

(felicia.dambrosio@citypaper.net)