mcours2006, I just hastily nabbed that image off the 'net. I cut my own from a swatch of stout leather or heavy waxed cotton duct but those dimensions are about right. I've tried rawhide (as in a dog's chew 'bone') but I could never quite get it to soften enough without putting too much effort into it.

I ride in the rain all the time, but I live in Seattle so it's pretty much required. My work provides a shower and dry towels, or else I'd have to reconsider. I use an Ortlieb office bag for my work clothes, lunch and laptop. It's still waterproof after three years, so no worries about that stuff. I use hard-sole wet suit booties and wet suit gloves, along with a Garneau rain jacket. Everything else I wear is synthetics and dries out enough by the time I need to ride home. I have a little pack attached to my rear rack that I can put the rain stuff in if it stops raining. As others have mentioned, lights are essential and wider tires are a big plus. I kind of like the rain because it cuts down on the number of bozos on the bike trail.

Yep, I commute in the rain. Forecasting moderate rain today, 20C which is ok but 30 km/h head wind with 50 km/h gust. Commute back home will be a pain.

Love riding in the rain.. it's a bonus if it's a real storm! Last week was a down pour so took my shirt off and rode home. Felt awesome! Now when it's cold out and rain that really sucks. But after you've rode in the rain to work the rest of the day seems like a piece of cake!

Tried to convince the college girls down the street from me that that's the way to ride in summer storms, but I don't think they bought it. Waiting for a warm rain and hoping for the breastsbest.

This morning, it was raining and blowing hard. I said no thanks. I have a long commute.

when I bike commuted, bad weather made the rides more interesting. it took me a while to get on board with it, but then I embraced it joyfully. now, riding in bad weather is a rare pleasure

I ride in the rain but my commute is only a few miles -- in bike lanes on one-lane city streets with 25 mph speed limits. A Sugoi "Zap Pack Cover" keeps my backpack dry (surprisingly so, even in strong downpours) and ziplock bags are extra insurance for phones and i-Pad. A Sugoi Zap Helmet Cover keeps my head dry and Gore-Tex jacket and rain pants round out the rain preps.

I've been looking at getting fenders but haven't decided on that yet.

There's a lot more room on the bike racks on rainy days!

I like the rain because it empties the street of other bicycles and I can relax and enjoy my own pace. Being comfortable in the rain is about choosing layers with care. I agree with others that a merino wool base layer is essential.

Talking about strictly commuting, yes to in the rain. I don't choose to go out for longer training or recreation in more than light rain - because I want to fully enjoy those longer rides.

I don't want to make light of it, because I well remember the initial efforts I put into dealing with commuting through rain. But to be honest, part of it is a mental perspective, once you're confident in any of several was to handle it. This time of year, as long as my shoes don't get soaked and I can keep stinging rain away from my eyes, I simply don't care. Other conditions, mainly colder, need other measures but once you've handled it, it's not the big deal it once was.

I enjoy my own riding pace, rain or shine,regardless of the presence of other bicyclists, why can't you ride at your preferred pace in the presence of other cyclists?

FWIW, I never had any problem in 40 years of bike commuting in the rain and never wore a merino wool base layer.

I'd take a light drizzle or even steady light rain over a 50 km/h headwind or side wind any day of the week.

Commuting in the rain isn't bad but cleaning the bike after sucks.

I just skip that. Last time I cleaned my bike was 2012.

The bike I bought was a 2012 TCX 2 and I believed it was never cleaned. All the gunks in the gears was incredible. If you were from Ottawa, I would have asked if I bought the bike from you ;)

Usually after riding in the rain there is a lot of grit and sand on the lower part of the bike. A quick hose-down and then left to dry in garage does the job. The chain needs to be lubed more often though.

Lower part? On my rainy ride yesterday, even the head tube was covered in grit and sand!

Where I commute, narrow/crowded bike lanes and heavy vehicular traffic make passing other cycles difficult in many places. It's a constraint.

I began wearing merino wool base layers while doing backcountry ski tours - it stays warm when wet, dries fast, transports perspiration well and has anti-skank properties - which fabric do you prefer?

I prefer to commute by bike wearing regular clothes that I already own and wear every day to include 100% polyester T-shirts that stay quite comfortable while riding if wet from sweat or rain that gets past my poncho and non-bicycle-specific outerwear. I do change to clean dry underwear at the end of a commuting trip if wet from sweat or rain, and/or at the end of the day. Carrying a change of underwear on my commuting bicycle, and washing clothes in the washing machine is not that big a problem for me. My regular clothes and laundry routine may not work well for back country ski tours, but then this is not the back country skiing forum.

If I'm cycle commuting for an hour in 35 degree F weather with wet precip and wind, it doesn't feel much different from the same weather conditions on a mountain and the same garments are equally effective for both. Also, gear knowledge, like a layering garment, is quite transferable.

Rain is a rare treat where I live! I ride in it gladly.

Round here the rain isn't just water falling from the sky, it's accompanied with heavy winds and lightning. That said, depending on the conditions, I'll ride in the rain.

My commute is around 40mins each way and if there's any hint of rain in the weather forecast then I'll just take the train instead. Commuting through the city in rain is just not pleasant.

I rode to work today in light misty rain. It was a very gentle rain.
But now the forecast shows that there is a 50% chance of thunderstorm right around the time I plan to head back home. Maybe I can use that as an excuse to slip out early ;)

It wasn't raining this morning, but the ground was wet. My bike got dirty. We are both fine.

I didn't ride in the rain today :D

The rain stayed away and it was a nice dry ride back home!

rains on the reg this year which is a pleasant thing to ride through in the right rainjacket instead of the usual headwinds

No.

I own a canyon urban with belt drive. I do ride in the rain from time to time. But I tend to avoid it.
The belt and alfine internal gear hub makes riding in the rain and cleaning up afterwards a breeze though.
Just hose down the bike and your done.