Yes, we are goofy people!

How waterproof is your cycling jacket?  

Bicyclinghub.com owner Doug Duguay shows he's not above taking one for the team to prove that Showers Pass jackets are waterproof.  The result?  Showers Pass jackets repelled water and kept him dry during the experiment!  We don't recommend shooting a pressure washer at yourself!  

Showers Pass Club Convertible 2 Rain Pants have arrived!

Once you try these rain pants, you'll soon be a convert to the club.

Showers Pass Women's
Club Convertible 2 Rain Pant

We were excited when the new Showers Pass Club Convertible 2 Pants arrived ahead of schedule to compare them side by side with the previous version. As promised, the new and improved rain pants were well worth the wait.

First and foremost was the VASTLY improved fit, especially the women's cut. Not content to coast on sales of their first edition, the Showers Pass design team took direct and honest feedback from their female customers and went back to the drawing board to find a way to more accurately reflect a woman's hourglass shape and proportions. The result? A tapered waist and more room at the hips for ease of movement; the rear of the waistband is elasticated to further enhance the fit, eliminate gaps between fabric and skin and prevent your pants from creeping down as you ride.

Showers Pass Club Convertible 2 Rain Pant (Men's)

Next up is the change in the FABRIC itself. Constructed with 3-ply Artex fabric offering lightweight, breathable and waterproof protection, the new Club Convertible 2s weighs in nearly 30% less than its predecessor (yes, bike nerds that we are, we had to pull out the scales to confirm). Just as important as the savings in weight is the enhanced freedom of movement and full range of motion offered by these rain pants. No longer will your thighs feel constricted or restrained by tight fabric, working against you as you move; the enhanced stretch of the new Artex fabric enables the rider to employ full articulation in the knee and thigh in every pedal stoke, whether you're wearing cycling shorts and street clothes underneath.

Overheating? Pants quickly and easily
zip off to knickers (shown above).

Finally, I have to take a moment to admire the level of detail that went into the design and construction of these high-end rain pants. From its new mesh side pockets (further reducing weight while enhancing air flow) to the durable double-stitched and seam-taped zippers to prevent water driving in, the tailored look and feel of this garment is self-evident. Additional improvements to the zip-off pant cuffs (previous version had heavy reflective tape, now replaced by a more supple reflective trim) the Velcro attachments to the pant cuffs serves as re-assurance your pant leg won't come loose and get stuck in your chain. If you're looking to invest in some high-quality cycling rain pants intended to go the long haul, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Showers Pass Club Convertible 2 Rain Pant.

Attention to details like zippers and Velcro fasteners
at cuffs make these rain pants a stand-out.

When it comes to being prepared for the elements, I couldn't think of a better company than Portland-based Showers Pass to outfit cyclists accordingly. Rarely a day goes by we here at BicyclingHub.com don't spy bicyclists commuting over the Hawthorne Bridge in one of the products we sell, and Showers Pass remains a perennial favorite both here at home and across the country. Having ridden in their cycling apparel, the reason why becomes readily apparent.  Showers Pass isn't just the best rain gear in Portland; it's the best cycling rain gear on the market. Period.

Want to learn more about Showers Pass, and the innovations they bring to high-performance technical cycling apparel? Read our feature profile story here.

Train in rain? Try the Showers Pass Elite Pro on for size

One of the most frequently asked questions we get here at BicyclingHub.com is, "Is this [insert cycling product] really worth the money?"  The old adage "you get what you pay for" is never more true when it comes to cycling rain gear.  And with headquarters based in Portland, Oregon, we get to test out cycling rain jackets a LOT.  One of our favorite high-performance rain jacket holds its value extremely well is the Showers Pass Elite Pro Jacket.

But don't just take OUR word for it; both Josh Liberles of Cyclocross Magazine and Scott Mares of Crossbikereview.com agree that when it comes to finding a lightweight, waterproof, packable rain jacket will keep you warm and dry when you're pounding out the miles in the cold and wet, the Shower Pass Elite Pro can be your best friend.  Read on to find out why they've earned a full 5 out of 5 cowbells rating from Crossbikereview.

	Scott Mares from Crossbikereview.com says: We Liked: Showers Pass Elite Pro Jacket is available in both black and goldenrod. You know there is nothing like first-hand, real world experience when you are producing a product. The guys at Showers Pass do one thing and that is make rain gear. Anyone can make plastic clothing and you get what you pay for in that arena. The guys at Showers Pass live, work and race in Portland OR. And since I have moved here I can tell you it rains a lot here in this big cycling city. The Elite Pro is the next generation in the Showers Pass lineup. So what they did was take their most popular commuter rain jacket and put it on a diet and send it to the gym. The Elite Pro is a racer-cut, lightweight rain jacket for the serious cyclist. I liked the fact that this jacket did not flap around in the rain on our training rides.  Lightweight: the Elite Pro is a lightweight when you compare it to other rain jackets. We love how light it is and how little space it packs into. Usually the trade off when you get into this weight class is protection. However, the Showers Pass Elite Pro is made of three layers of fabric designed to be waterproof and breathable. So what we have here is a jacket that Mighty Mouse would approve of. So you're inspired by the bad weather and you find yourself in the zone and you are hammering away and you find that you are starting to get a little hot. The Showers Pass Elite Pro jacket has 3 vents that you can open to keep form overheating. Two of them are located near the front of the jacket on the side about 3/4 the way forward. What? Why not on the sides like everyone else? Well good question. The reason why Showers Pass has placed these vents towards the front is because in this position they act like scoops and bring the air in and allow you to not overheat. The third one is located on the upper back just behind the collar. When you open this third vent the air form the lower two actually pushes air out this vent.    The Elite Pro has asymmetrical waterproof zipper. So this means that no more zipper on the front of your neck rubbing or scratching it. Nothing but soft flexible fabric on the front of your throat. This is a nice little feature for a jacket like that.    One thing that we hate is when the sleeves are too short and our wrist are exposed to the cold and wet. Not here! The Showers Pass Elite Pro has longer than normal sleeves so you can get full coverage up and over your gloves. Nicely done guys. Big cuffs! Ok so they made some long sleeves on this jacket. Well they didn't stop there. They know that you will be wearing gloves as well, so they made the cuffs of the jacket larger than normal so you can get the jacket on easier. It sucks having to force your hand through the end of a sleeve while it's pouring on you. All you want is to get that jacket on ASAP because every second you are getting wetter and colder. And your still miles from a hot shower and dry clothes. Reflective trim: OK, so the jacket fits, its waterproof and now you have to stay safe. The Elite Pro was designed so that there was reflective material all around so that you can be seen. The jacket is available in black and golden rod. This will help in being seen on those rainy days. We Didn't Like Showers Pass Elite Pro Jacket is available in both black and goldenrod. There is a lot of things that we like about this jacket. Time and time again is has proven its worth to us. However, one of our missions here is to give constructive feedback so that manufactures can make a better product. With that in mind we gave the following suggestions to the masterminds at Showers Pass. I would like to see silicon grippers on the inside of the cuffs and on the tips of the Velcro wrist straps. This would prevent the cuff from twisting when you are closing them off with the Velcro straps. I think that having the jacket available in a couple of other colors would be nice as well. A light blue or pink or even a white would be my vote. As I think that those colors would appeal to women and aid in low light visibility. We get rain jackets in all of the time and we just feel invisible when they are black. So we don't feel safe in them and don't ride in them. I tried it once and I ended up turning right around and going back and getting a different jacket. Every time we get a black rain jacket in it reminds me of a skit in the 70's from Saturday night Live (season 3 episode 4) with Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin. They were spoofing dangerous Halloween costumes and one of them was a black plastic bag and it was called "Invisible Pedestrian." The Final Say Don't know what to get for a rain jacket? Well you need to ask yourself some questions. How often does it rain where you are at? And how often are you going to ride in it? If it rains on a regular basis then don't be a penny pincher and this is the jacket for you. Just like a great pair of shoes you get what you pay for and you get a lot of jacket here with the Elite Pro. Do you train in just about any weather? Then you will be happy with the performance that this jacket gives its owner. It's lightweight, waterproof, packable and won't be flapping around in the wind while you're riding. The guys at Showers Pass know what they are doing when it comes to rain gear. This jacket will keep you warm and dry so you can turn the screw out on the road while every one else is inside on the trainers.

Bicycle Commuting: Benefits and Ways to Get Rolling

Part III of a Three-Part Series

In Part I of our series on bicycle commuting, we introduced some real-life commuters across the country and how they got started, what inspires them to keep going, and how they make it work. In Part II, we addressed some of the challenges of bicycle commuting, and how individuals were able to overcome obstacles and roadblocks so that they might travel on two wheels rather than four. In our final installation, we've collected testimonials on some of the benefits one can reap from bicycle commuting, and a few suggested ways to get rolling.

Bicycle Benefits

As previously mentioned in Part II, the key to getting more everyday individuals and families on bikes is to make cycling safe, accessible and convenient. Utilizing a bike for short trips (be it to work, school, the library or supermarket for a carton of milk) equates to improved health, reduction in congestion and heavy traffic volumes, and a noticeable savings in your wallet.

Adrian Ortiz of San Diego, CA summarizes: "I really like riding to work...I’m exercising, I get to enjoy the weather, I have my dog and I get to challenge my body to go up big hills and sprint to the next light. It’s better than the treadmill and I've actually lost weight."

Randy Rocheleau is committed to riding 36 miles round-trip from Albany to Watervliet, NY at least 3 days a week. "The main thing is the physical benefit: I get miles in that way." [When queried, he said he's stopped keeping track.] 3 days a week commuting = 108 miles per week for Rocheleau, plus two days a week doing group rides with the local cycling club and two days a week mountain biking. With that cycling regime, it's no wonder he's able to drop men half his age and enjoy fully-loaded, self-supported bicycle tours with his wife on his Surly Long Haul trucker.

Paul Moore waxes eloquently on the ways bike commuting can be workable AND enjoyable.

Here's what I love about my commute:

1) "I get lots of guilt-free training time in (I have a six-year-old son, and on weekends, every hour I spend riding is an hour I'm not spending with him). Commuting gives me a chance to ride while he's still sleeping."

2). "I'm simultaneously doing the "right" thing for my body and the environment. And BOTH make me feel GREAT!"

3) "Maybe--just maybe--others will see me and begin to see the bicycle as a viable alternative to their cars. I'm visible proof that one doesn't have to be Lance Armstrong or Superman to commute long distances to work."

4) "I leave my house at 5:30, well before rush hour. I pretty much have the streets and roads to myself. I see some of the same people every ride, and judging from the waves and smiles I get, I know at least some of them recognize me. I think I have become--in some small way--a part of their daily routines."

5) "I get to see the sun rise over the Sierra Nevada every morning and, depending on the time of year, I get to see it set, too. From my bike. On the same day."

6) "My commute, although almost perfectly flat, isn't boring; I pass a broad spectrum of sights, sounds, and smells...from very urban to very rural, then vice-versa coming home. From Starbucks to strawberry fields, Dairy Queens to dairy farms, and Orchard Supply Hardware stores to blossoming orange and almond orchards."

7) "There is no better way to wake up in the morning than riding my bike to work; and there's no better way to shrug off the stress and strains from work than riding my bike home. I can leave school with a million things grating on my mind, and by the time I get home, I've replaced them all with thoughts of a hot shower, some food, and some time well-spent with my wife and son. The days on which I drive just aren't the same."

Chris De Farcut, an avid commuter and part of the cycle club Peloton Charity Shield in Perth, Australia, reflects on his personal journey: "My commute started out as a means to an end, to get fit, and sell a car. Along the way I’ve: lost 6kg (1 stone), got my cholesterol and blood pressure in check (and a resting pulse of 48!), met some great people, formed a cycling club and successfully petitioned local government for all new roads to have wide road shoulders. When I’m having a tough day on the bike, I remind myself of these.

"When I started riding 2 years ago, the distances and experiences I’m having now would have been unthinkable. Riding long distances is no longer hard, or a duty. I enjoy my weekend competitive challenges amongst friends but it is no longer my main driving force. As my fitness and strength have improved, there is now an indefinable sensory connectedness between man and machine. It feels like a moving meditation of is timelessness where you no longer focus on the distance to be traveled. The power of your own body is translated to the fluid motion of the bike. The Japanese have a phrase for it: ‘Jinbai Itai’, Horse & Rider as one."

Ways to Get Rolling
Some tips and practical suggestions to make your efforts to go by bike roll a little smoother.

Whether to Weather the Weather

You know the old Norwegian saying, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing?" Randy Rocheleau suggests you invest in some good rain gear---jackets that offer windblock protection and are both waterproof and breathable, such as the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 also help combat the cold weather. Other favorite cold-weather gear on his list includes Pearl Izumi Amfib tights and Lake winter MTB boots. "Having a technical outfit took away any excuses for not riding," he says. "[What gets me out the door is] my commitment to it. it's like qutting smoking; it's a commitment to yourself. It's no different than stating you were going to go gym 3 days week. Okay, it's Wednesday, I'm riding, so I dress appropriately for the weather."

Take Advantage of the Bicycle Commuter Act

According to the League of American Bicyclists, "The Bicycle Commuter Act is a simple, equitable solution to put cyclists on the same footing as people who receive qualified transportation benefits for taking transit or driving (or parking, actually) their cars to and from work. 

Any employer, if they chose to do so, may provide a reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable expenses incurred by the employee in conjunction with their commute to work by bike. Please note, that unlike the other qualified transportation fringe benefits, a qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement benefit cannot be funded through employee pre-tax income, nor can an employee receive both the transit and bicycle QTF in the same month." For more information, consult Bicycle Commuter Tax Provision: Frequently Asked Questions.

Make your workplace a Bicycle-Friendly Business

Does your workplace have bike racks or secure bike parking? On-site showers or changing facilities? Provide maps, resources, or otherwise encourage bicycle commuting? If so, they should consider applying to the League's Bicycle-Friendly Business Program. If not: encourage your workplace to apply. The checklist of what's needed and technical assistance and suggestions on how to get there may prove invaluable in increasing productivity, elevated moods and overall health of their employees, while cutting down on expensive parking spots and sick days.

Other suggestions by Momentum Magazine, March-April 2011:

1. Start slow.
Don't try to travel far distances by bike right off the bat. Take a trip to the nearest convenience store or a friend's place and work your way up from there.

2. Bike sharing.
May cities have bike share programs -- such as Montreal, Denver and Minneapolis -- that you can take advantage of for making small trips around the city.

3. Get a lift.

Integrating cycling and public transit systems allow you to place your bike on buses and light rail systems. If you live far away from transit and your final destination, you might also consider putting your bike in the trunk or on a rack, driving part of the way and cycling the rest.

4. Choosing the right ride.
There are many different bikes on the market, each suited to a different purpose and riding style. The best way to enjoy your ride is to invest in a bike that meets your needs. Options include:

* City bikes
* Folding bikes
* E-Bikes
*Cargo bikes

5. Proximity.

Living a bike lifestyle might also mean looking for a place near to where you work, shop and play. Finding a home within 5 kilometers of the places you frequent the most is ideal.

6. Accessories.

Enhance your commute by adding the right equipment to your bike, such as panniers, racks, baskets, clothing that is comfortable and stylish to ride in, lights and ergonomic grips.

Bob Palkon, at AT&T systems worker in Joliet, IL who rides 25 miles each way to his work-issued service truck, sums it up nicely: "I just feel better! Plain and simple! Riding reduces the stress of the day. I don't need as much medicine to keep my blood sugar under control. It is good for me. It doesn't even take too much time away from my family. Realistically it takes away about 1.25 hrs out out my time with them. the 2hrs in the morning is time I would just be sleeping and the additional hour is the difference between the drive and the ride home.

"I think, for me anyway, the reward comes from the accomplishment itself. The idea that riding to work becomes routine, providing all the benefit that come with it freely and without charge."

What do the experts have to say?

Passionate about cycling, all of BicyclingHub.com's staff rides in and vigorously tests our products so that we may continue to offer professional advice and excellent customer service. But don't just take our word for it: we also publish product reviews from experts in the field and everyday cyclists who can testify to hours of saddle-time logged in pursuit of finding the best gear that keeps you riding in comfort AND style.

Scott Mars from Crossbikereview.com has generously shared his thoughts and opinions on several go-to pieces of cycling rain gear, below.

	Castelli Goccia Jacket Product review by Scott Mares, Crossbikereview.com. Published August 30th, 2010. "The Castelli Goccia rain jacket is the best pure cycling rain jacket that we have tested so far...Both commuters and racers will love this jacket and it's one that you will have for years to come." We Liked Once you pick up the Goccia rain jacket you can tell immediately what it is made for. The fabric will inspire confidence even when the dark clouds appear in the sky and threaten to open up. For those mystery-weather days when you never know what Mother Nature is going to throw your way, you still have that same feeling of protection just by putting this Castelli jacket in your jersey pocket. With the Goccia, the wearer will feel like they have a suit of armor protecting them from the elements. The vents on the Goccia jacket are very big with zipper pulls that are easy to grasp offering a wide variety of venting options ranging from just above the elbow to mid-chest. The vents and zipper pulls are cleverly designed and functional to boot. When compared to most rain jackets, the Goccia zipper pull tabs for the vents are very large, which is a really cool thing. This translates to easily reaching and grabbing the zipper pulls during a ride while wearing gloves. Gone are the days of blindly searching for the zipper pull while trying to hold your line! Dislike having to stop your ride to open vents? Well that is no longer an issue with this jacket! Don't have fenders? No worries as the Castelli Goccia rain jacket has a long extended tail flap that will keep your back side nice and dry form the biggest wheel spray you can imagine. Castelli's designers added velcro cuffs on the sleeves to quickly pull and tighten to keep the water out. The cuffs also have elastic in them which keeps a nice seal on your wrists. This velcro/elastic combination works very well against combating the elements. ...With the additional reflective stripes on the Goccia you can indeed get black and still be visible in traffic. We see a lot of rain jackets and its all comes down to two things: staying dry and being seen. In addition to the fluorescent fabric, the Goccia jacket has more reflective marking on it than any other rain jacket we have tested or seen on the market. The arms have large reflective racing stripes that start at the shoulders and wrap around the length of the arms to the wrist. I would estimate that 20% of the surface on the back is reflective. Castelli even included a loop at the back vent flap for a blinky light for extra visibility. The fit of the Goccia jacket is spot on. This was a real bonus as most jackets are cut while the model is standing up and walking around. This jacket is actually cut a little different and fits much better than any pure cycling rain jacket so far. The Goccia is priced at $100, which is an excellent deal for a double laminate jacket with a ton of features that was locally designed in Portland, OR! Cant beat it! We Didn't Like Initially Castelli gave us a black Goccia jacket for evaluation. We thought it was cool looking until we got out on the road and realized that we were the same color as the pavement. Even with the additional reflective striping, we would also like to see the Goccia offered in fluorescent pink or a light blue which are both easier to see in overcast and rainy conditions. The Final Say The Castelli Goccia rain jacket is the best pure cycling rain jacket that we have tested so far. This jacket has a ton of things that were done right, including lots of reflective material, big zipper pull tabs, great fit and breathability. You should definitely get one and keep it in your race bag. Both commuters and racers will love this jacket and it's one that you will have for years to come.

Showers Pass Soft Shell Trainer

	Castelli Sottile Jacket Scott Mares from Crossbikereview.com says "The Castelli Sottile is the perfect 'go to' jacket when the skies are overcast...Get your hands on a Sottile, and you may be arm wrestling to see who gets to wear it that day.." We Liked The stretchy T-Core LX fabric is very unique. I have only seen a handful of companies that are offering rain jackets with this type of material. In the Portland rain, this fabric performed very well offering plenty of breathability and wind protection. While there are no zipper vents on the Sottile, the jacket is vented with mesh fabric in the armpits. Most cyclists are used to having big zipper vents to undo during a ride and this jacket does not have that. However, when caught in a downpour, this jacket will definitely protect you. The high tech Sottile offers a very lightweight and packable rain jacket for a mere $80. While there is no reflective piping on the Sottile, tthere are 2 reflective tabs on the back of the jacket located near the seams which gives added visibility. According to an online Italian-English dictionary, "Sottile" means "thin, delicate, slender, slim, small, sharp, fine, subtle, and slight." Weighing in at 3.3 oz, those words sum up Castelli's smart new cycling rain jacket in more than one way. We Didn't Like The fabric is so lightweight that it can easily get caught in the zipper. The tiny side pocket zipper tab is also hard to find and grab with gloves on. The Final Say The Castelli Sottile is the perfect "go to" jacket when the skies are overcast. When space and weight are a premium on race day, this jacket packs small enough that it doesn't occupy an entire jersey pocket. Castelli's designers did an excellent job creating a membrane material that truly breathes, even in post-rain humid conditions. Get your hands on a Sottile, and you may be arm wrestling to see who gets to wear it that day.

BicyclingHub.com recently added a new feature on our website enabling customers to quickly and easily tell us what you REALLY think of the items we sell. Product reviews from cyclists like you are now readily available on BicyclingHub's section pages to better advise shoppers what the top cycling apparel is for riding, racing, and training. Here's your chance to post a quick online review of the product(s) you recently purchased and help fellow riders make informed decisions based on your input. Just click on bicyclinghub.com, select the item(s) we carry in your personal cycling arsenal, and share your knowledge.

With the appropriate gear and a good attitude, you can make even the Worst Day of the Year your best ride yet

"I am really tired of people whining about how hard it is to bike in the rain...It's not like you melt or anything...What do you think rain gear is for? So, listen, I want you to pick the worst day of the year and organize a biking event. We'll invite local bike shops to show off their rain gear and sow people that it's really not that bad biking in the rain. It'll be fun."--Earl Blumenauer quoted in Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet by Mia Birk.

Photo, left: Ayleen Crotty, aka "The Penguin," from Good Sport Promotions warms up the crowd.

10 years ago, then-City Councilman Earl Blumenauer and Portland Bicycle Coordinator Mia Birk organized a bike ride designed to encourage Portland residents to seize their bikes in the dead of Portland winter and not let persistently gray skies and drizzle get them down. From 250 riders in 1991 to over 4,000 participants in 2011, the Worst Day of the Year Ride has grown to an annual event Portland residents look forward to each year--and for 10 consecutive years, it has yet to more than sprinkle on this festive occasion.

Photo, left: Most unusual bikes encountered on the route (and in Portland, that says a lot!) Glide Cycles, LLC was developed with rowers in mind.

Photo, right: Portland is famous for both its love of bikes and love of dogs...it's always nice when you can meld the two in one perfectly-themed costume!

Always up for a good ride (aka "team building session"), BicyclingHub.com was thrilled to don all our rain and cold-weather gear from Showers Pass, Castelli, and Pearl Izumi...and even more thrilled when the weather gods cooperated and didn't rain on our bike parade.

Doug and Kriss at the start line on their first tandem ride. 45 miles, one broken chain and a number of hills later, they're still happily engaged. A tandem success story!

Showers Pass STORMS Vegas

New and improved products featured at Interbike hit the market just in time for Fall

Last week (September 20th-24th) the cycling industry gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada for five busy days of product demos, launches, business meetings and events known as Interbike. An annual event that gathers more than 1,100 cycling-related brands and close to 23,000 total attendees, the country's largest bicycle trade show proved to be the ideal location for Showers Pass to display four of its new and improved products: the Elite Pro jacket, the Protech ST jacket, Storm Rain Pants and the Cycling Helmet Cover.

BicyclingHub.com sent three staff members to scour the Vegas showroom floor and meet with manufacturers so that we might bring our customers the latest and greatest in the bicycling industry, with live updates via Facebook and Twitter. At the top of our list of booths to visit were our friends and neighbors at Showers Pass. A brand that's been long recognized and sought after by cycling enthusiasts and long-distance riders as offering some of the best-fitting, best-ventilated and most breathable outerwear on the market, elite road riders and racers have recently discovered the Portland, Oregon-based company and asked them to adapt products to meet their specific needs.

	Don't miss the Showers Pass Sale at BicyclingHub.com! Stock up on high-performance outerwear guaranteed keep you warm and dry throughout fall and winter. Enter Code SHOWERS10 during checkout to save an additional 10% on all Showers Pass items. Ends October 10th, 2010!

"Those riders are out training for hours in the weather," notes Ed Dalton, Co-President/Principal at Showers Pass. "Our Elite 2.0 & Double Century jackets fit a fairly wide range of cyclists and their needs; [but] those products don't perfectly fit an elite road rider that wants a trimmer, more contoured fit." When approached with the request, "Can you build something for us?," Showers Pass entered the elite road market this past spring; two new jackets making their debut this fall, the Elite Pro and the Pro Tech ST, were engineered with the elite road rider in mind.

Just another day at the office: Showers Pass Co-President Ed Dalton field-testing gear during Cycle Oregon.

According to Dalton, the Elite Pro uses a proprietary lightweight, waterproof and breathable fabric named ELITE fabric (™) which, in conjunction with built-in core venting zips, a rear vent panel across the shoulder blades and adjustableVelcro cuffs, helps to ensure maximum ventilation while keeping the cyclist dry--minus the cold and clammy feeling riders often experience once they begin to overheat in attire with minimal or no ventilation. Most notably, weighing in at an incredibly-light 244 grams, the Elite Pro can be folded and stowed in a jersey pocket once the sun emerges from the clouds--a versatility fans of the Elite 2.0 can now enjoy for the first time. "It's the lightest-weight, three-layer fabric we have ever seen with the performance level this fabric has," Dalton remarks. "We wanted to make a product super high-performance, super light-weight, and super packable--that's what we did with the Elite Pro."

Also making its (re) introduction to the public is the Pro Tech ST. Evolved from their Pro Tech jacket, a clear transparent waterproof stretch membrane shell designed to keep riders dry (while still ensuring team kits and/or race numbers can still be seen by officials), Showers Pass tweaked the design to improve both fit and performance. "The piece fit a wide range [of cyclists], from the elite road rider to the enthusiast to the recreationalist who wanted an emergency rain piece--but it wasn't as appropriate in terms of fit for that elite rider," Dalton explains. New and improved features include a sleek and trimmed fit, similar to the Elite Pro; a lengthened back to increase protection from road spray; a large back vent re-engineered so even when down in the drops, it stays open to help regulate body temperature; a two-way front zipper; and, with each seam now seam-taped (hence the name Pro Tech ST), the chances of water being driven in are drastically reduced.

But if you think Showers Pass caters to only the upper echelons of the race circuit, think again. With a market that includes racers, commuters, messengers, two-wheeled travelers and a general cycling population passionate about the bike, Dalton chalks up their success in their ability to appeal to such a diverse audience by offering products specifically created for said users.

Long-distance touring cyclist and randonneurs especially have embraced the Elite 2.0 jacket as the centerpiece of their functional cycling attire. According to Dalton, "They actually call that 'The Pass' jacket. 'Have you got your Pass jacket? . That is really the piece that has become the 'Best in Class' for us. Commuters gravitate to three main pieces: The Elite 2.0 for men and women, the Touring jacket, and the new Club Pro for men and women. As both the Club Pro and Touring jackets offer a wide range of use, on and off the bike, they appeal to a broad range of customers and consistently rank in the top-sellers category. Another top seller, for long-distance riders and commuters alike? The Convertible Rain Pants for men and women.

"The ultimate [product] tests are in the field and on the bike": good thing both BicyclingHub.com and Showers Pass are based in Portland, Oregon, the ultimate proving ground for cycling apparel in a wide range of weather conditions.

Founded in 1997, a tiny company was born partially out of frustration as the owners couldn't find the level of performance outerwear they wanted for cycling. Dalton notes, "In my mind specifically, there was great mountaineering gear and alpine gear; for us, there wasn't that level of performance outerwear created for cyclists. And cyclists deal with as much weather and wind as any of those other activities." He vividly recalls a 2004 bicycle trip through Hell's Canyon on the popular Cycle Oregon event where a close brush with hypothermia led to an epiphany that changed the trajectory of his professional career. "I was wearing cycling clothing that wasn't suitable--it didn't protect me. It was wet, windy, and cold. More than wet--it was raining and COLD, and the temperature dropped over the mountain pass. Cycle Oregon set up camp fires and people stood by them not for a half hour, but for HOURS trying to get warm. And then they had to get on their bikes and ride down the pass. That's when I realized the gear that was available for cyclists didn't perform nearly as well as it needed it. And that was when I decided we were going to set the bar."

Three months later, in December 2004, Dalton met the founder of Showers Pass at the Cyclocross Nationals race at Portland International Raceway and a new partnership was forged. Originally a tiny online retailer which sold only to individual consumers, the company saved from bankruptcy, was remodeled as a wholesale business to bring the line directly to dealers, growing from one to seven full-time staff (plus outside help as needed). Relocating to the notoriously rainy climate of Portland, Oregon, in six years Showers Pass has expanded product range, broadened their customer base, and vastly improved their products--and show no signs of slowing down.

What Does the Future Hold?

"I think the lifestyle cycling clothing category is one that is really important," Dalton remarks. "A lot of people want to commute on their bikes and not necessarily look like they're bike commuters when they walk into the office. Pieces like the Portland jacket, Hybrid jacket and zip-off convertible pants make cycling more accessible. We think that category of outerwear encourages and helps to get more people on bikes.

"When I commute by bike to work (as often as I can) I go over the Hawthorne Bridge [into downtown Portland] and a lot of people are wearing everyday clothing. But in wearing those, and getting caught in the weather, they're kind of screwed. I want them to wear regular street clothes that perform like high-performance cycling wear. Some mornings I'll ride my road bike in, with full-on Lycra; other mornings I'll wear just my Portland jacket and my regular clothes. I want to see more of that; folks can walk in the office and they're good to go, minus a whole complete change of clothes."

Field Testing and Feedback

(left): BicyclingHub.com Customer Service Rep and Cycling Clothing Expert Melissa Cate gives the the new Showers Pass Elite Pro Jacket a close inspection at Interbike 2010.

With both BicyclingHub.com and Showers Pass headquartered in the Platinum-Level Bicycle Friendly Community of Portland, Oregon, it's a rare day that goes by we don't see a cyclist wearing one of the Showers Pass products we sell. As the first Internet retailer to sell Showers Pass jackets and rain gear directly to consumers, since 2005 BicyclingHub.com has sold upwards of 1,500 Showers Pass products and can authoritatively speak on behalf of the brand's quality, durability, and loyal fan base. Most importantly, our endorsement comes from the fact our staff rides in and vigorously tests the products that we sell--a standard Showers Pass upholds as well. "For us, [Portland] is the perfect proving ground for our product. It would be a challenge for us if we were….based in Southern California. Lab tests are great, but the ultimate tests are in the field and on the bike, with your messenger bag, crumpling it up, doing things to your gear that you shouldn't be doing, and seeing how it works."

And what does Showers Pass do with all the feedback they receive? "We use it all to help better engineer our clothing," Dalton responds. Showers Pass stands out from our competitors by our attention to every detail; the fact that we're riders and we USE our products; and we listen to our customers. Because that's the ultimate test."

Make certain fall and winter doesn't rain on your parade: order your Showers Pass cycling-specific attire today with BicyclingHub.com and remind your friends, "There's no such thing as bad weather--only bad clothing."