Rockin It With Fenders

Sorry, this isn't a post for you music freaks...I'm not talkin' about rockin' with Fender guitars and amps here. :-)
This is about sporting some fenders on your bike for the winter riding. Around here winter is the rainy season. I have been using fenders on my general commuting bike for a few years, and they are one of the best pieces of cycling gear one can own. Even if you don't ride hard core in the rain, there are many days when you have the leftover standing water and wet streets to deal with. Just last night and this morning I rode through wet streets and puddles in parking lots. The fenders do a great job of keeping your feet and back dry, and helps to keep the drive-train on the bike clean from all the road gunk that the front tire can kick up. I got a pair of the Planet Bike Freddy Fenders, and they are great. These are a poly-plastic something or another, so they don't bend or rattle like metal ones can. It doesn't matter what brand you get, just get some! The better ones will cover more area of the tire, which means less spray on you and the bike. If you are a minimalist, you can get the quick attach kind, so that they can be easily removed when not needed. They generally don't offer as much coverage, but they are way better than nothing.