Relatively crummy months have settle in for Oregon, so I'm prepping myself for the winter's commute. In the past I've worked places where I can shower before work starts so I'm mildly presentable. New town, new job/school and I'm biking in four miles. I bought fenders (Not big 'uns, so my feet get wet) and I have a waterproof jacket and messenger bag. Any suggestions for further weather-proofing? What does everyone use for the winter if they don't have the option of changing at work?

I change in the bathroom. There aren't showers where I work, and my commute is fairly long (19-miles, one way), but I don't sweat much. I always take a shower before departing in the morning. This keeps the bacteria that cause the odor associated with perspiration at bay.

You may want to get a shower cap to cover your helmet when it's raining or really cold. Also, some neoprene shoe booties will keep your feet relatively dry. I also use a cheap pair of Neoprene ski gloves for cycling in the rain. Some people swear by sealskins gloves and socks but I haven't tried them.

When it gets really cold, you really can't beat Performance Triflex tights and Pearl Isumi Lobster Mitt gloves. I also use a cheap balklava(sp?) from performance.

Rain pants and gloves work for me.

Thanks guys. It doesn't get terribly cold- I've never needed a helmet cover because I get warm in five minutes, so I bought some cheap rubber pants and they work really well and are light. I thought about getting some booties, but I don't have bike shoes at this point, so I'm thinking I'll just get a pair of shoes for biking and some wool socks and just wear those when I ride. It is good to hear that other people roll the bikes throughout the winter.

Keep some bike clothes at work, or if you can hang up your wet clothes to prepare for the ride home. I like the Kool Stop mountian break pads for wet weather. Save the bike shoes for normal weather, unless you want to spend money on oversized shoes and wear several pairs of socks, booties ect. I am about to change to platform pedals and boots, my toes are cold and it is a pain layering the feet. People here also reccomend layering the core, seems to work. Backlavas are great!
Good Luck

Get some good neoprene shoe covers they'll keep you feet warm and dry. a good balaclava, and poly pro inner layer all all good at helping keep the skin dry and warm

I live in washington and face the same problems as you do. My commute is only 2.8 miles on the way there but the ammount of water kicked up at me sucks. I just orderd some shoe covers by hincapie and I have a waterproof jacket and pants that work wonders. I love my headskoz!!! If it weren't for that I probably wouldn't bike in the winter, it keeps your face nice and warm! As for keeping stuff in my bag dry I've used plastic bags on everything, can't be too careful. I've finally accepted that I love commuting and could care less what people think about my fun little habbit. I change in the bathroom, you don't need a shower after 4 miles of riding, if you are sweating profusly in this cold weather maybe you need to go a bit slower. I go at a slower pace in the morning but after school is out I go fast and take a longer route home for fun.

Everybody's different. Me, I like knickers because I get too hot and clammy in most "rain gear," even if its 35 degrees. So, I go to Goodwill, find a couple pairs of old wool dress pants a couple of sizes too large, and shrink 'em to fit in the wash. Hem them 4-6 inches below the knees with some elastic tape (or find a seamstress to do it for a few bucks). Wear 'em with cycling shorts or compression shorts under. Wool socks with silk liners on the feet, layers of wicking fabric and a breathable waterproof jacket on top. Wool breathes and shrinking it tightens the weave enough to exclude the pis8y mist we get most of the time. The knickers rarely get really wet unless its a downpour. If they do get wet, the wool maintains warmth. If its 30 out, I wear a wicking base layer. And mittens in the morning. My hands freeze easily, even in gloves, so I have to have the ski mittens.

4 miles should be short enough that you can keep pretty clean unless the weather is really crummy. Most days should be pretty good. Just experiment and see what's good for you. Wear something you can unzip, if you're like me you'll probably overdress at first.

Rain cape works fine. I used one for years. Still have it. But it is so trashed it isn't really waterproof! I'll get another - just got a commuter. Campmor used to have budget ones. Less sweat, more coverage. That, leggings, and my feet in plastic bags used to do me fine.

The Winter Cycling forum may have more ideas for staying dry.

My commute is about the same distance as yours. I can dress fairly casually at work so I just ride in what I'll wear at work. I find I don't get sweaty if I go at a moderate pace (zooming just gets to more red lights faster) and its not the middle of a heat wave in summer. (when I usually bring a change of clothes)

For this wet and mucky weather I wear a waterproof k-way jacket, and some rain pants that I pull over my other pants. If its raining lightly my helmet keeps my head dry enough, if its heavy I'll put a rain hat over the helmet. I usually bike in old running shoes, and keep some decent shoes in my desk drawer at work.

The fenders (full ones with mud flaps) help but I still like the overpants if there is any muck on the roads because even if you don't spray it at yourself a passing truck may end up splashing you.

Wow. I didn't expect so many varied replies.... Now I'm even more uncertain as what to do. I had a waterproof jacket and winter gloves, but I bought a pair of rubber pants, so everything but the shoes are figured out. I think wool socks and a dedicated (always wet) pair of shoes for the ride might be the route I end up taking. Again, thanks for all the advice- I'll be heading towards the winter forum as well. I am also taking the old wool pants from Goodwill tip very seriously, as that might be nice for light mist rides. Thanks guys...