Fifty Plus (50+) - When do you wear a rain jacket?

I know, it sound like a stupid question. You wear a rain jacket when it rains. How simple can that be?
Well, I do not think it is that simple. At a temperature, and I am sure that temperature is different for everyone, a rain jacket is not needed for a rain.

Today it was warm, or in the high 70s or low 80s. I did not take my rain jacket even with a major threat of rain. I find a rain jacket uncomfortable above a certain temperature even is a fairly hard rain.

At what temperature do you leave the jacket at home, or do you?

I use the rain jacket to keep my butt dry.
Water running down back my will eventually cause chafing.

I've been on hot, rainy rides when the temperature suddenly plummets and my teeth begin to chatter. That's when a rain jacket stashed under the saddle really saves the day for me. If I suspect rain, I bring a rain jacket.

But yes, riding in warm summer rain can be quite pleasant at times.

For me it's all based on sweat. A rain jacket when its warm, causes me to get as wet sweating as the rain would otherwise get me, and rain is preferable to sweat. When it's cold, then a rain jacket is a valued friend, keeping me from getting chilled out.

For me it's all based on sweat. A rain jacket when its warm, causes me to get as wet sweating as the rain would otherwise get me, and rain is preferable to sweat. When it's cold, then a rain jacket is a valued friend, keeping me from getting chilled out.

+1 what he said...

:cheers:

I use the rain jacket to keep my butt dry.
Water running down back my will eventually cause chafing.

+1 It's really bad when those bike shorts pads are soaked from the rain:(

For me it's all based on sweat. A rain jacket when its warm, causes me to get as wet sweating as the rain would otherwise get me, and rain is preferable to sweat. When it's cold, then a rain jacket is a valued friend, keeping me from getting chilled out.

Me too. I'm thinking 80 degrees is about the dividing line.

It needs to be rain and cold before I will wear a rain suit. I wear a jacket and pants. Generally, I do this when it is in the 60s or lower. I do not bother in the 70s and higher.

A little sprinkle and I'll do nothing or put on my high-viz yellow windbreaker. If it starts to rain hard I'll put on the rain jacket. I'm usually not out riding if heavy rain is forecast, except on my shopping bicycle. But on tour I've had to ride all day in the rain. In that case I put on rain pants, shoe covers, a helmet cover, and waterproof winter gloves.

I have a bright Green Hi-Vis rain jacket that I where 100% of the time when Winter Commuting.
In nicer times of the year I'll wear a rain jacket when commuting to work. I don't care if I get soaked on the ride home or during recreational rides.

Is this a trick question? I would think you wear one when it is raining.

I strapped my rain jacket onto my bike today to make sure the forecasted rain would not fall. It worked. Not a drop until a half hour after I finished riding. ;)

Is this a trick question? I would think you wear one when it is raining.

I tried to cover this in my original post, but guess I missed. When the temperature is fairly high I find it more uncomfortable to be hot than to let it rain. I was asking at what temperature do you just let it rain on your normal riding outfit versus using the rain jacket. No trick question intended.

+1 It's really bad when those bike shorts pads are soaked from the rain:(

Took me three days to heal.

I strapped my rain jacket onto my bike today to make sure the forecasted rain would not fall. It worked. Not a drop until a half hour after I finished riding. ;)

Yup. That one usually works.

Conversely, it's the days when you trust the weather forecast, actually believe their forecast of "30 percent chance of scattered showers," and leave the rain jacket at home, that the rain starts 45km into a metric century, and continues right through to the end.

It was around 80F, so manageable, although I learned that two wet bike shirts, worn together, are significantly warmer than one wet bike shirt.

I wear mine when it rains

In Southern CO. you NEVER leave home without your rainjacket all SUMMER long!! It seems to RAIN every afternoon here and in CO. the rain is ALWAYS COLD:rolleyes: I can never remember a warm rain here and I'm 53 and a native. We put on a 19 miler today and it would have been longer but we were chased home by Thunder, Lighting and RAIN. This is on the plains so I'm SURE it would even be more needed riding in the mountains, "Never Leave Home Without It!:thumb: