Originally Posted by
InfiniteMiles
Might be common knowledge, but I find if I have a layer to block the wind and then dress so that I feel old before riding, I'll heat up to the perfect level. When I bundle up to much I just sweat, then freeze when I take a layer or two off. Also having a scarf to warm the air before taking deep breaths makes the ride way more comfortable.
For my coldest rides, below about 20ºF down to about 0º, I wear an inner layer of stretchy (?Lycra) midweight tights and an outer layer of heavyweight tights. Between them I wear a pair of predominantly cotton surgical scrub pants (available at a work-clothing store), as a wind break. The scrub pants are not stretchy, but baggy to allow freedom of movement. Heavy weight bib tights are another alternative I have not tried.
I was recently chatting with a year-round runner, and we discovered we both use different weight tights, in various combinations according to the temperature.