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.

I ride every day unless of snow. Full rain gear, fenders, lights as recommended. Hose down my messenger bag with waterproofing and I still get covered with grit from the road. Isn't pretty but it's also a lot clearer on rainy days as most ppl don't bike. Always extra cautious around cars since their visibility is limited, but otherwise I enjoy biking in the rain.

i switch bikes when raining ( to make sure i ll stay safe on the road ) , i bike all year long - but where i live is pretty sunny so no heavy snowing in winter. just remember to have lights in rain and some change clothing :)

cpl days ago, was thinking about this thread. throughout the day I had been checking the radar & watching the showers pass out my window. eventually took the plunge late in the day, certain I would have a dry ride. then of course I turned north into darker skies & eventually light showers (barely). started thinking, guess I do ride in the rain. it all dried up quickly tho but there were a handful of puddles to avoid

totally

Rain, snow, all of the above. I'm like the postman. I choose not to pay for the parking lot at work, so my only other option is walking or waiting for the bus, both of which also result in getting wet. Regardless of the forecast, my pack contains a high-quality Outdoor Research rain jacket, rain pants, rain shell mittens, and a seat cover. I haven't figured out a way to stop my face getting wet yet, so I just deal with that. You do get used to it.

Seems to be more riding in the rain this year than I notice in previous years.

I recently posted,If cold, less than about 50 degrees F, I have a warm cycling rain jacket, but too bulky to carry.

If your bike has fenders and lights ,generator preferred, then it should be no problem. I'd also recommend a chain guard or case. I myself wear a bicycle specific rain cape that covers nearly the whole bike while riding. Only exception to this is if there is lightning. I will not ride in lightning.

If it is raining in the morning, I won't. If it is a light rain in the afternoon with no lightning, I will.

Unfortunately, in South Florida, we tend to not have as many light rain with no lightning events as we have driving rain and severe thunderstorms. I do not ride during those.

With the current weather pattern we've been having in South Florida this weekend and week, I have not been on the bike since Friday.

I've noticed that as well. Although the rain seems to be relatively light like this morning. I didn't bother with the rain jacket with 0.4 inches for the whole day and "chance of rain" type forecast. The traffic in NJ (Leonia and Ft Lee) was brutal. I found out that there was a multi truck accident on the QBE that caused them to shut it down and back up traffic over the GWB for miles:

Cross Bronx Expressway crash causes major delays to George Washington Bridge | New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

Yeeay.