is a decent base layer with a softshell the best way to cope with cold but dry(ish) weather conditions, or do you prefer a thicker long sleeved jersey?
after losing a substantial amount of weight i need to sort out my wardrobe and that includes clothes for riding in. i have a good quality well fitting waterproof jacket already, just need to sort out the other stuff.
what does everyone favour then? brands?

even when its -5 all I wear is a base layer with a softshell – I have 2 Gore ones

Riding is toasty
When you stop its freezing

Base layer x 2
Thin Fleece
Thick Fleece
Softshell
Light Waterproof Windshell
Proper Waterproof Jacket
Fleece Skullcap

Gives you pretty much every option you need. You're better with cheaper stuff and more options, a good waterproof is the only place I spend money anymore. A lot of my stuff is DHB or Helly Hansen/Patogonia from TK Maxx. Rab do some great waterproofs.

Depends a lot on who you ride with and how, if there's lots of faffing and stopping and general out-for-the-day ness going on, you need a bit more protection, so a decent softshell plus the back up of a waterproof is best. If it's more of a get-bloody-on-with-it, I-like-mountain-biking-but-I-have-other-things-to-accomplish-before-it-gets-dark kind of ride, then you can get away with a gilet and a waterproof.

Baked Alaska merino top from Ground Effect in NZ. Good for Spring/Autumn and have also used it thruout the winter.

anybody got an altura reflex longsleeve jersey? any good?

I would highly recommend a Gore phantom jacket as part of your biking wardrobe

Gore Phantom for anything from about 12 to -2 centigrade

Do you have any old merino wool jumpers, the thin sort?

Try riding in one of them, they're amazingly warm but breathable at the same time. Stick your waterproof over the top and you'll be covered for most situations.

You could buy an outdoorsy branded merino, but I've found M&S perform perfectly well.

+1 for Baked Alaska. I've used mine in all 4 seasons, paired with a baselayer & waterproof in winter or on its own on a summer's morning/evening.

i have a howies merino NBL light longsleeve already.
some things to think about now though… those gore phantom softshells look tempting. nice.

Look to the darkside. Arm warmers & knee warmers are inexpensive, take up little room and are very effective. Should be in everybodys kit pile ~ unless you're, like, a really gnarly rad dude 😉

Baked Alaska here too. Three season wear, very versatile.

thin base and a windshirt in all but sub zero temps………..

Warm – SS top
Cooler – LS top, can unzip lots and pull sleeves up
V Cold – SS top and soft shell (supposedly) waterproof
VV Cold – LS Thermal and soft shell.

Add gloves as appropriate. It has covered me ok foe long wet winter rides in the lakes although I suspect my do-everything WP softshell isn't as waterproof any more 😳