A bicyclist's rain cape is a fine solution, along with fenders on your bike. The rain cape is like a poncho but tailored to fit you in your riding position on the bicycle. It's small and light to carry and relatively inexpensive to buy. It has loops at the front, which you can hook over your thumbs or the brake levers, extending in front as if a little tent. A waist strap holds down the back of the cape. The cape should be bright yellow, to make you more visible to drivers.

The rain cape allows ventilation underneath, and so it's the best solution on a warm, rainy day. But with the rain cape, you need a pair of full-length fenders on your bicycle. They keep dirty water and mud from flying up under your cape. A mud flap on the front fender will keep your feet dry.

High-tech rain suits of Gore-Tex or other materials that "breathe" can do the job too, especially when equipped with air holes to allow for cooling. Many have reflective stripes to enhance your visibility as well.

Your riding technique needs some modification in wet weather. Rim brakes work poorly if the bicycle has steel rims--stopping distances may be increased by 10 times. It helps to wipe the rims dry by applying the brakes in advance, well before you need to stop.

There are several ways around the problem of wet-weather braking, among them special leather-faced brake shoes, aluminum rims or a hub brake. One of these is advisable if you ride much in wet weather. Check with your bike shop about the best choice.

In the rain, pay special attention to metal surfaces, such as manhole covers, painted traffic markings, wet leaves and oil slicks. They're all especially slippery. Avoid riding through puddles if you can't see the bottom--a puddle can hide a pothole.

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