cold/rain gear?

[out_spokin']

+1 on searching for cold weather clothing threads. Great advice here.

If you can't afford the Showers Pass (by most accounts the very best) right away, check out the O2 Rainshield stuff. You have to be quite gentle with it, and they don't claim it to be made for the long haul. But cheap, light, packable, bright yellow, and shockingly effective. I was converted after a 50 mile, 50 degree tour day on the KATY trail in MO when the 2 in our group who had them were dry and GoreTex-type folks were not.

And especially for the 50-60 degree range wet rides, my best answer is merino wool. Layering short or long sleeves w/ rain jacket is the way to go. I'm a Smartwool fan, other here love the Ibex, there are others, but definitely look past the initially steep cost of entry because the stuff is amazing, durable, stink-free (to a reasonable point) and generally a commuter's best friend.

[Biciclista]

oh yeah, check out the woolweenies thread.
I wear wool almost all year round.