Northeast - Winter Clothing for MD/DC Area?

I hate to say it but winter is coming and I plan to be riding this winter for the first time. The other day it was a little bit chilly out in the morning and got me thinking what do I need to get.

So for the local people that know the temps, what should I be looking to pickup clothing wise?
- Winter Tights? (Recommendation on some good pairs)
- Shorts + leg warmers?
- Long sleeve jersey or jacket (Recommendations)
- Under the Helemt?

Just want to make sure I am getting some stuff that I will uses and not let sit in the closet. Also got to return shorts I never used to performance so figured I buy some winter gear while their.

Two pairs of pants have gotten me through winters in this region: Sugoi Subzero Tights, and Novara Headwind Pants. I recommend them for January/February (or whenever the temperature goes below 45).

Merino wool is great...it's breathable and keeps you warm while soaking up prespiration. Lots of companies make cycling-specific Merino jerseys (Ibex, Swobo, etc), but those are expensive and I've done well with regular non-cycling-specific Merino sweaters that I've picked up in thrift stores for a few dollars.

For under the helmet, I use a Sugoi Subzero cap. I'm thinking of getting a Merino cap for this winter though; I have my eye on this one: http://www.joneswares.com/item/Bean_Helmet_Liner_Skull_Cap_/242/c63

check out this link for winter clothing http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=153960

Commuting
Above 65, normal shorts and a jersey
Above 50, I wear shorts, jersey and a thin underarmour like long sleeve shirt
Under 50, thick underarmour like shirt and a jersey or t-shirt, medium weight tights and shorts/jeans, possibly ear warmers,thin gloves, bright yellow wind breaker jacket.
Under 40, same as above but wool socks and boots (as opposed to cycling shoes),goggles, balaclava,thick gloves
Under 30 down to 12 degrees, sames as above but, 2 pairs socks, one normal,one wool and add a turtleneck to get full coverage from feet to head. Both thin and thick gloves.

Weekend road Rides,
Probally close to the same but using some sort of winter booties so I can use the pedals and some thick winter bike tights, no clue what kind, I haven't bought any yet.

might even get one of these balaclavas this year, made for motorcyclists, but will work for me.

http://i9.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/7b/61/771f_2.JPG

I have under armor and thats a good idea to were that under the jersey. I need a light weight wind breaker, gloves, covers for shoes and some better socks. Another question is what about the water ha, like on a 60 mile ride I would think they could freeze up if it was cold enough. Do you just keep them in ur jersey pack?

I am looking to pick up some tights today after working. Do most people wear tights over their normal shorts or is it just better to buy some tights with pads/gel in them?

I got into winter riding myself last year. I found that windblocking fabric worked best in most situations...that is my winter jersey and gloves that had good wind blocking properties and less insulation worked better than my winter jersey and tights that had more insulation but less windblocking.

When it's in the 40's or lower I found wearing a long sleeve Polartec shirt (I have a couple sitting around from my running days) under the jersey with a light wicking base layer under that worked pretty well).

For the lower body I just used one of my regular pairs of bibs with either leg warmers or knee warmers, depending on how cold it was (though I'll do knee warmers even into the 40's...I don't get cold that easily).

On milder days a pair of arm warmers is often sufficient for the upper body. For me, anyway...

My cold weather clothing consists of some Cold Lizard (http://www.coldlizard.com/cgi/wc.dll?GEKKO~catalog~start~source~~fp) brand tights. I just like their stuff. I have their lightweight and heavyweight tights. I also have their balaclava. And I have a windproof jacket. Then the mix of regular and wind proof jerseys.

The two big purchases i have made, which are well worth it IMO are some Sidi winter boots (my feet always got cold) and Assos winter glove pack (worth every penny).

-D