Yes, take the lane. That's been my experience any time I try to "hide out" on the edge because I'm scared of the road. The road suddenly feels much safer when I take the lane. It is hard to do, it is so counter-intuitive. But once you do, it makes so much difference.

I don't really feel like a lot of people get mad at me either. Oh, maybe someone will honk or yell, but they do that no matter what you do.

I rode in the rain this morning, in all my rain gear. I love riding in the rain--when it's not too hot for the rain gear, but not too cold either!