Commuting - Getting ready for the Rain

I saw a thread on what to do in the rain. But I got some more questions about riding in the rain.

I live in N. California our rain is October through May most years. Most of the time the rain is just drizzle or light mist. In 15 years I have yet to see a good old Southern style frog choking rain up here.

I have thought about just getting wet but I have some problems with that. I ride 4.1 miles to a train station then ride 1.8 hours on the train then 1 mile to work the reverse is three miles to a train station 1.8 miles then 1.8 hours on the train and then 4.1 miles home. The problem is the 1.8 hours on the train. The thought of riding in 30*F temp soaked to the bone then sitting for almost 2 hours does not do a thing for me. Nor does stripping in the head on the train and puting on dry cloths for the trian trip then changing back to the wet clothes for the last mile.

I want to have some sort of plan for the comming winter but don't seem to think of fix right off.

Oh the fender thing is already done on my road bike and will be done on the MTB by the time the rain starts.
And it will be dark for both the 4.1 miles of the trip most of the winter so I got Nite Rider lights on the road bike and will probably get the same for the MTB in October.
Joe

The solution is simple a "storm parka" with a hooded bill worn under your helmet, and "storm pants' worn over your street clothes; then maybe goretex socks worn over your regular socks but under your shoes. Ok, wet bike shoes, I change shoes at work anyway, but you remain dry. You can take off the jacket when you get on the train, and the storm pants if you choose.

For very light rain I find that a showerproof such as Pertex is more effective, it dries pretty quickly. Even if you choose a waterproof top I would still recomend pertex overtrousers if the rain gets cold.
Modern synthetic clothing (or modern woolen jerseys) are quite good even when damp. My hiking pants get wet in the rain and dry within 10 minutes.
For your distances, clipless pedals offer few advantages. Use toe clips with waterproof light hiking shoes or boots.

Whatever style of jacket you choose make sure it has pitzips for underarm ventilation, otherwise you'll become a humid, sticky mess.