Well, I wanted to say something about gear, but I don't know if anyone is paying attention anymore.

For me, I can't live without this commuting gear:

--Lightweight, lowtop hiking shoes (very stiff soles)
--$1 vented wind breaker from Goodwill (soon to be replaced with a yellow Illuminite jacket)
--Long-johns for under my jeans
--Of course the skull cap/balaclava
--Front and back blinkies
--reflective ankle straps
--Jaand fabric grocery basket for my backpack
--Yellow and orange big safety triangles for the front and back of my basket (I'm like half an Amish carriage)

All these things make my ride pleasurable in any weather. I find the more comfortable I make biking, the more annoying my car gets, and the more I ride.