Great advice, everyone!

I got a back flat from a pothole a few weeks ago. I was in heavy traffic at the time and it was twilight, which were two reasons I didn't see it in time to avoid it.

There's one downhill spot on my route where twice now I've slid into the snowbank at the side because I was starting to go too fast and it seemed like the least bad option. Often traffic is passing me at the time, and at the bottom is a narrow bridge over a creek.

Anyone else use internal hub gears in the winter? (Those of you who have gears at all.) I got a Giant Cypress EX with the 7-speed Shimano. I really like not worrying about downshifting while I'm braking, especially on these winter roads.