Well, had an opportunity yesterday to test just how waterproof my new panniers are...

Actually, they are better than I expected - my commute home takes about 50 minutes and it poured for about half of the ride. Contents of the panniers were dry but the outside was covered in mud, dirt, and general road crap!! The bike and I were pretty much covered in the same stuff - and the bike and I both ejoyed a good shower when we got home (the bike first, of course).

Most amazing thing happened on the ride, though. On the ride home, I use a MUT for about 50% of the ride. There is a place where the trail crosses a fairly busy thoroughfare. I and another cyclist had stopped and were waiting for traffic to clear when we realized that one vehicle had acutally stopped to let us cross - we waved the vehicle on - then another one stopped! Again, we waved it on but I am still stunned that this happened!

Reminds me that most drivers are considerate - although its usually the jerks that we remember...