Some friends and I rode yesterday, when we took out the temperature was about 32 degrees, and when we finished five hours later, the temperature was about 40 degrees. I thought I had the correct amount of clothes and the problem was that my first and second layers were wet from sweat after about 2 hours, which made it cold after stopping for our control points. However, if I tried to pull off my outer layer I would get very cold, my first and part of the second layers were wet.
This is what I was wearing; under armor top only, long-sleeve jersey, vest and windbreaker. I had a pair of cycling shorts and bib thermals, not amfibs. I had a balaclava and cycling hat under my helmet. What do most of you all wear in these types of conditions?

Thanks!

pretty much the same no vest

I was out in 36°, windy and raining today. I had a Craft long sleeve base layer, the mid-weight one, a heavy poly jersey, and a microfiber windbreaker, not waterproof. Shorts and Performance Amfib knock-off tights. I was pretty comfy. I keep the sweat-wet down by unzipping so I stay just a little cool, but not cold. I spent a lot of time with the jacket zipped and the jersey unzipped. It doesn't matter if you get wet. It only matters that you stay warm enough on the bike. You will get cold at controls, so minimize your time there. Get back on the bike and get warmed back up. Try venting your clothing by unzipping appropriately. I never wear a balaclava, just a PI skullcap, but that's just me. I had Park MTB boots on my feet with dry suit leg seals on my ankles. Wool socks.

I use several layers and a full-zip front, and try to keep from sweating as much as I can. My extremeties get cold, so I'll use heavy gloves, booties, earwarmers and a neck gaiter, but at the same time I might have my vest, jersey unzipped all the way. It's all about heat management and planning ahead so you don't get chills; pace, wind, clouds/sunshine all affect it and are changing constantly.

I think the vest is overkill unless the windbreaker isn't breaking much wind. I think the head gear is too much unless you are just that cold natured. I ride down into the 20's with PI headband and a Walz wicking cap under my helmet. I think too much headgear won't let excess heat escape. As for Under Armor, I have given up. I have a long sleeve turtle neck that always feels wet. It's awesome and warm for just being outdoors, but not active. My winter base layer is an ancient Duo Dry thermal shirt. Very warm and always dry feeling when moving. Anything will feel cold if you stop and your core cools.

Here are my riding gear recommendations: I am 5'11', 155 lbs, and I rock a full beard in the winter.

The less the sun the more layers. I keep a PI wind vest in my jersey in case I underestimate the cold in the 45-60 range.

45/55 - short sleeve winter base layer (duo dry), short sleeve jersey, arm warmers, PI headband, PI Thermal tights, Smart wool socks, Shoe covers.
35/45 - long sleeve base layer , Gore Phantom Jacket *, PI Thermal tights,Smart wool socks, Shoe covers
25/35 - long sleeve base layer , long sleeve jersey, Gore Jacket, PI thermal tights, shorts w/o chamios over tights, Castelli wool socks, and Smartwool socks, Shoe covers.

I wear the old style Specialized Sub-Zero gloves. Just the inner glove above 35.

* Any breathable windproof jacket should do.

Thanks. I wear the balacava because my face was getting cold. The wind chill was about 20F. I usually don't put it under my helmet because I wear a wool cycling cap.

Thanks again

Thanks! I may have been over dressed. The vest and wind breaker may have been too much!

I find that when I'm wearing an outer shell, long sleeve jerseys aren't as comfortable as skin hugging arm warmers with short sleeve jerseys. I definitely don't feel as wet.

I'm in Socal, acclimated to warm weather, so my 45F is your 30F.

What I wear at 45F:
1. Short sleeve base layer
2. Short sleeve jersey
3. PI arm warmers
4. Gore convertible (arms can zip off), breathable, windbreaking jacket
5. PI thermal tights
6. Thin skull cap for the ears

The base layer wicks pretty well. The sleeves of the jacket can come off, as can the arm warmers. I often unzip the jacket completely up an extended climb under 12 mph.

And in case you're wondering, it rarely gets to 45F down here. Riding in such "cold" weather requires a late night ride, early morning ride, or a trip to Northern California. Yesterday's daytime high in Socal was 76F.