It seems wrong to be penalised for being a cyclist, so cycling in the rain never fails to make me indignant. If I'm prepared, it's fine; cycling in the rain can even be pleasurable - it's when you're not expecting it that it gets me. It pays to make sure you always have some wet weather gear to hand, but packing your pack-a-mac on a beautiful sunny morning can feel a little depressing.

There are hidden dangers associated with rain for cyclists and it is these that really wind me up. More than the merest shower makes at least two parts of my regular route to and from work completely impassable due to flooding.

I'm sure driving through these monstrous puddles isn't great for car drivers either but for me, it just isn't an option. I've complained about these areas several times to the council, but with very little effect. We deserve better feedback - by reporting problems to the council, we are going out of our way to be helpful so the least it could do is to give us a meaningful response.

Thankfully, there are lots of ingenious ways of coping with wet weather cycling. The best solutions are waterproof (slightly obvious), as they can be packed away in small, light bundles and they add of course to the cyclists overall visibility.

Now you wouldn't think that was too hard to find, would you? I know waterproofs aren't the sexiest items of clothing, but I have seen some evidence that they can be made to look quite fetching. If wellies can become an overnight fashion must-have, I'm sure the humble cagoule must be due a makeover any minute.

So when the fashion revolution in cagoules arrives, I'm making my bid nice and early for them to include lots of high-visibility patches, to cover a sensitive lady cyclist's bottom, and to come in lots of nice colours too.

I don't have the same optimism for waterproof trousers. Perhaps they're more hikers' apparel than cyclists. I never seem to realise that I need them until I'm fully dressed and then always have the palaver of trying to pull them on over my trainers/boots/stilettos, every time thinking I'll be able to get away with it, only to be defeated by the nasty, geeky trousers every time.

There is an alternative, though. Rainlegs (www.rainlegs.co.uk) do the job of keeping your thighs and knees dry without feeling like you're being boiled in the bag. Not sure they crack the geeky aspect, though (the alarming thought that they could be described as waterproof chaps doesn't do much for their style rating either).

Perhaps now that I'm pregnant and have a bump to keep dry, I should think a bit more seriously about a cycling cape. Actually, it's not really a case of 'more seriously' as all they've ever done is make me laugh.

Sorry if you're a cycling cape enthusiast. Capes just make me think of the local policemen "bobby" look or someone who would be much better positioned on a horse, although actually they make loads of sense. OK, so next cycle shopping spree - rainlegs and a cape and maybe I'll just have to be a style leader instead of a fashion victim.