left the gear on until Toledo because I knew if I took it off, it would start raining again.This may sound like an old wive's tale, but it is actually gospel.

Though raingear in sunlight is slow torture.
I avoid rain like an old man now, but when I did it, I left the pants on and stuck the jacket behind me under a bungee (so it could be donned quickly, never leaving the seat).
Rain pants never go on quickly (even with the Walmart bagged boots).