If you're coming back to rim brakes you'll probably have forgotten their annoying tendency to pick up bits of grit from the rims, meaning that after wet muddy rides it's a good idea at least to open the brake and scrub them with an old toothbrush and then pull an old towel through behind them, which adds only a few seconds to the cleaning routine. Occasionally you can remove them, pick out the shiny bits of grit or metal, rub them on a sheet of wet 'n dry to take off the glaze and refit them, using a dab of talc on the grooves if they are reluctant to slip back into the shoes. (Here I go again with my talc fetish!)
Also when first setting up the brakes, take time to get the blocks exactly parallel to the braking surface by loosening the hex bolt, holding the brake on lightly with one hand and slipping the pad around until the washers settle and the braking surface is absolutely flat on the rim and lined up with the edge of the braking surface. Then nip up that hex bolt gently, release the brake and tighten the hex bolt while bracing the brake shoe with the fingers of your other hand to prevent it from rotating. Well set brakes will sometimes make a satisfying clack when you snap them shut abruptly.
