Slippery when wet

This morning's Sacramento Bee has a well-written report on bicycling in the rain. Although it's written mainly for a mainstream audience, it does make several good points that bear repeating, especially this:

Winter cycling starts with adapting to the season's changing conditions. The most important rule is "slippery when wet." In addition to branches and other debris, major hazards include leaves and road paint, such as the thick white lines at intersections. Riding over either when wet can be like rolling over ice, especially while cornering.

And if you encounter any of these things while going downhill, that calls for even more caution ... or even walking if you're the least bit unsure about your safety.