A few random lessons from today's commute, which was probably the coldest and wettest I have done -- mid-40s, and raining.

1. There's not much point in owning nice new shoe covers if you and the bike are in the office and the shoe covers are at home.

2. A headband keeps your ears toasty. But a helmet cover might actually keep you dry. It might even stop that distressingly cold rain dripping down the back of your neck.

3. Lightweight bike tights are not even vaguely waterproof. When wet, they are not warm.

4. A wool base layer works. Even when wet, it's warm

5. There's not much you can do about the drips from the rain jacket onto the tights.

and finally

6. A 3-4 ride is not actually half as bad as you think it is going to be.