Wet and Refreshing.

I have to admit, I love it when it rains in Reno.  The wet streets are refreshing.  There's that ozone smell in the air and it always seems like I can smell the sage a little bit again.  Not to mention it gives a whole new dynamic to the ride.  Sure, all the thermoplastic marking look shiny and slippery and you can see the water bead up a little on the asphalt.  You might even take the first few corners at a slower speed.  It makes you sit up and pay attention to the road conditions like it's your first ride in a month!

These aren't bad things though.  It gives that same daily commute new life.  You start to notice the bead of water shooting off the front wheel, you aim for the next puddle, and suddenly without even realizing it you aren't an intrepid bicycle commuter....your a 10 year old kid on your first bmx bike having a blast just because your on a bicycle.  And if your me, it puts a big stupid grin on your face that lasts through a whole morning of work! 

Freshly washed and painted with a warm glow.

If commuting in the rain or just wet gives you pause,  head over to EcoVelo, there is a great article on "Rain Riding" preparations and strategies and an article on what he considers standard equipment on a commuter.