Thanks for starting the thread!
Don't have much in the way of reports to offer on the perms for the season so far. Have three under the belt as I'm taking a shot at the R-12 this year (having started the streak in December '07). Lots of cold, rainy, and windy riding in the PNW. (Never did get around to getting fenders, either....)
Biggest problem I've had on perms is starting on time. Just isn't much motivation to get rolling at the appointed time if it's pretty crappy out. Closest I've come to an on-time departure is 10 minutes late and I had one in January where I got under way more than 45 minutes after the start time. First control was pretty far away and the coffee shop at the start was nice and warm. Made it by 6 minutes. Not the best habit to get into!