Stacy--

You'll probably get a wide variety of answers to this. Here's my experience: If your garmet is "breathable", then it will eventually let water in, and you'll get soaked to the skin. If you garment does not allow water through, then sweat will build up in the inside of it, and you'll get soaked to the skin. I choose the breathable option. On a rainy ride, I have enough layers to keep me warm (the number of layers varies with the temperature), and I don't worry about the moisture.

Back in camp, though, you'll want to stay dry. I bring an anorek with me--a lightweight, water-resistant, hooded jacket. I have several of these, and I've found there's a world of difference between the very lightweight ones and the somewhat lightweight ones (even though neither is insulated). The somewhat lightweight ones double as a jacket for cold weather, something else you'll need to be prepared for. Another item I brought last year was the smallest umbrella I could find. It was a worthwhile investment of baggage space--I got a lot of use out of it.

The bottom line I'll leave you with, Stacy, is that I've gotten wet many times on CNC, but I've never been cold or miserable--in fact, CNC has been fun even on the worst of days.

--Chris

I let temperature be my guide.  If it's raining and warm I'll just wear cycling shorts and a coolmax shirt or cycling jersey.  Sure, you'll quickly be soaked, but you can only get but so wet.  The important thing is that you not get chilled and risk hypothermia.  If it's cool but not really cold, arm warmers and tights or a couple of layers on top will probably do.  Again, you'll get wet but won't freeze.  If it's chilly or cold, then go for some outer wear that will block wind and potentially insulate (depending on how cold).  A good bet is a Goretex jacket (expensive), polypropylene (moderate) or O2 rainwear  (inexpensive, breathable, and very water resistant) http://www.rainshield.com/p_cycling.html .  I believe you can get O2 rainwear at REI.

So, that said, what do I bring to historically rainy CNC?  Cycling shorts.  Short- and long-sleeve cycling jerseys (or short-sleeve jersey and arm warmers) for dry warm or cool weather.  Tights.  Gore Windstopper vest for chill.  Snug-fitting coolmax t-shirt for warm rainy weather.  O2 rainwear jacket for cool/chilly rainy weather.  For cold rain layer several of the above under the O2 rainwear.

Oh, soon after any rain starts your shoes will fill with water and will slosh on every pedal stroke.  Bring plastic quart-size baggies to put over your socks inside your shoes or use shoe covers.  They won't keep the water out, but they'll keep your feet from getting too cold.  Likewise bring one pair full-finger cycling gloves and headband that covers your ears and fits with your helmet for cold.

Most of all, have a mindset that you'll have fun no matter what the weather.  Remember that there's nothing like a trip to a local laundromat to dry out wet stuff - otherwise you'll never really get dry.

hi Stacy

i agree with Sled Dog. i shelled out the bucks a couple years ago for a good (breathable and vented) jacket and pants and am very glad i did. i also bought some pearl izumi shoe covers that keep my shoes dry in everything short of a prolonged downpour. i have found that the shoe covers rip pretty easily though. they usually last me one season if i'm careful when taking them on and off.

one thing i wished i had brought last year and wont be with out this year is rags to clean my bike with if it rains. but hopefully it wont!

cu in oct

As long as it is not too cold, it is not that bad being wet. As mentioned, whatever type of rainwear you have you are going to get wet, either with the rain soaking through your 'breathable' jacket or through persperation.

After a while, you're wet, and you can't get any wetter and it just does't matter, (at least until you get into camp).