Hi BB,
Well, the snow was coming thick and fast at the top of the col (which isn't much of a col, but in midwinter it's enough for me) but down below it was rain. The ride was actually great fun - I have good winter gear and lights, and I was warm all the way.
Since digital came out I've always carried a camera - my first digital, a Canon Ixus 300, even got bounced off the road once, and went on working. My Nikon 5900 travelled several thousand km in a sweaty back pocket and survived, although the plating round the lens cell began to flake off. I've also had another NIkon soaked through and recover after 24 hours in a car, which is why I got the FT1. The trouble with that, though, is that the lens window is unprotected, and gets all kind of crud on it. Wiping it with a sweaty finger or filthy winter glove isn't optimal.