EDIT: I didn’t read Canklecat before I typed. He has some good stuff ... for a Floridian.

15 years or so of commuting in Central Florida ...

Lights and more lights.

Any clothing you wear will get soaked, either with rain or sweat. A nylon vest is okay for when it gets chilly ... which won’t be happening much more until November and hurricane season. Still, falling rain is cold (it comes from way high up) so a layer which will hold a little heat and block a little wind doesn’t hurt.

Summer is summer, but spring and fall, a cold front usually pushes out the rain. It won’t matter on an hour ride, but it might catch you out if you ride to, say, work.

Wrap everything you carry in two plastic bags. Wrap every piece tight—I found that condensation was not a problem this way (and I have ridden through hurricanes, and done cycle-touring. it has always worked for me.)

NEVER ride through puddles. if you can’t see the bottom, you could well end up seeing the gbottom of cars riding over you. In Florida, where there can be bursts of really heavy rain, water flow can create sand bars, leaf-and-pine-needle dams, and can move sticks and small rocks. hit that stuff without warning and you might hit the pavement.

I recommend taking the Whole lane when there is a big puddle. When a dozen cars build up, let them by, or they will try to squeeze by on both sides. Still, you are better off with ten cars honking than ten cars driving over your face.

I had no trouble crossing railroad tracks---perpendicular and slowly.

Manhole covers, painted lines ... add water, instant ice. Be really careful crossing paint in particular—it looks so harmless until you are skidding on it with your cheek.

Remember that drivers in cars in the rain are even less rational than normal drivers. They are warm and dry and listening to their favorite tunes, and feel like they are suffering, whole you are out riding in their spray in the pouring rain.

Give cars Lots of room. They cannot stop as well, the drivers cannot think as well, and they get tunnel vision.

As per DrLogic ... never corner hard or brake hard. Try not to lean. The difference between traction and crashing is so miniscule, and once past it, you cannot recover.

I assume you don’t run red lights or stop signs anyway ... otherwise, nice knowing you.

Wash your chain daily, lube it daily. Change it frequently, clean it thoroughly, dry it thoroughly, lube it and swap it. Your chain becomes an abrasive belt which will eat the rest of your drive train.

As DrLogic says, Dry your bike ... at least cables and drive train. wash it first—fine silt will work its way into the BB and wheel hubs and eat things. it will get into cable guides. it will push its way into pedals.

I find that after the first few miles, things get pretty enjoyable, and as you note, afterwards you feel like you climbed a small mountain—or in Florida, a highway overpass.