how to decide on what to wear wen going for a ride

[Baldy]

This time of year, short sleeves and shorts. If you're feeling cold work harder.

 

[vickster]

This time of year, short sleeves and shorts. If you're feeling cold work harder.

Sometimes it’s not just a question of working harder for example if commuting in traffic, lots of stop-start etc.
We have no idea yet what the OPs rides entail

 

[Legs]

I only really do fair-weather outdoor riding nowadays - I'll spend the winter and rainy days on Zwift instead. Although I've got tights, bib-knicks and kneewarmers, I don't wear them nowadays.
I'll usually go out with a short-sleeve long-zip jersey, sometimes with a string vest underneath. Armwarmers and windproof gilet if it's chilly or if it's likely to get chilly - compact enough to roll up into a pocket.
I've got a tiny shower-proof jacket in my saddle bag.

 

[Jody]

I dress in what I think is right and then see how cold I feel when getting the bike out.

Cold straight away = Add more layers
Not feeling any cold = remove some
Feeling a little chilly = just right given i'll warm up in 5 mins

As a rule over 20 degrees, baggy shorts and a thin top

10-20 degrees - base layer and a long sleeved top. Nearer to 10 and I'll use a jacket and thick socks

Under 10 - Bib longs under baggies, skull cap, glove liners etc

Freezing and below - as many layers as I can wear.

 

[gavroche]

I look at the temperature and wind direction on weather forecast, then a look outside and that's it.

 

[biggs682]

I look at the temperature and wind direction on weather forecast, then a look outside and that's it.

Gets my vote as well

 

[Gwylan]

I use the GOYA test

 

[PaulSB]

This time of year, short sleeves and shorts. If you're feeling cold work harder.

That doesn't really work. If there's a chilly wind no amount of hard work will stop it blowing through clothing and chilling the body.

For myself once I get cold I get miserable, once I'm miserable working harder to warm up becomes very difficult because I'm suffering mentally.

 

[Tomm Williams]

My wife asks me this EVERY TIME we ride and she knows I tolerate cold far better than she does while she favors (and I hate) hot weather. But……. She rides with me every chance we get and she’s pretty strong so not sweating the small stuff.

 

[DogmaStu]

I'm not great with cold weather, I wear multiple layers of very warm clothing in Yorkshire's Winter.

At the moment it is 11C and going up to 16C and the Sun is shining so I have arm and leg warmers on and I'm debating adding a base layer under my jersey - plus I will only leave at 9:30am to let the school traffic die down and temp to go up a little.

My cycling kit wardrobe is a lot larger than my normal clothing wardrobe!

 

[Gwylan]

I'm not great with cold weather, I wear multiple layers of very warm clothing in Yorkshire's Winter.

At the moment it is 11C and going up to 16C and the Sun is shining so I have arm and leg warmers on and I'm debating adding a base layer under my jersey - plus I will only leave at 9:30am to let the school traffic die down and temp to go up a little.

My cycling kit wardrobe is a lot larger than my normal clothing wardrobe!

My problem is Justin. I take too much justin case I need it

 

[Jameshow]

I find spring / autumn hardest -
too cool for summer jerseys but too hot for l/s winter jerseys!
Have a couple of thinner l/s jerseys I must try!