So this is so off-topic that you might ought to just push on through. But promises were made, and I’m a firm believer in keeping my word.

The backstory is that I’ve been on Twitter for a while, and I have a compelling cast of characters who I follow and who follow me. Some our Portland linked. Others are law tweeps. (Yeah, I know, but that’s Twitter talk.)

More back story: I’ve been biking into work a good chunk of the summer, and I’m looking to keep on it into the rainy season. We had some major rain last week. My nylon running jacket and nylon shorts failed, leaving me prune skinned and water logged.

So I turned to my Twitter buds–my tweeps–for suggestions on foul weather biking. One of them asked me to compile into a post so that all could benefit, and now I’m at it.

The biggest point of agreement was that fenders are essential. So say @lancedgoddard and @AndyBarovick. (Yes for those not into the Twitter the @ character is the signifier of Twitter ID.) Of course, I have fenders on my slow but steady commuter bike. So I guess my pruning could have been worse?

Rain gear was a source of controversy. According to at least one person, @jwdoom, rain gear is a crock. Actually, he was a bit more graphic, but I’m trying to keep it clean here. On the other hand, @BeelJDPhd relates that a colleague swears by Pearl Izumi rain gear from REI.

And then there was a long list of suggestions from the ever helpful @AndyBarovick, but his bottom line was really simple: Don’t ride in the rain, unless you have to. I’m hoping that “rain” to the New York @AndyBarovick is different than rain to me, Portland’s @DavidSug (yes that’s my Twitter ID), but who knows?

In any event, my promise kept, I go back to the grind of today’s tasks. Thanks to all my Tweeps. It’s an engaging conversation, isn’t it? And for anyone who’s reading this who is on Twitter, feel free to check out those cited. They’re all engaging and interesting people with whom I’ve connected.

David Sugerman