The simple answer is to buy clothing made for bicyclists as their needs
are very similar to ours. However, there is no perfect answer.

I find if I wear a Camelbak, I get a horrid sweaty patch in the middle
of my back. The patch spreads and whatever I wear gets damp. If I
wear a waterproof jacket, that creates condensation.

Best to wear shorts and get wet legs, rather than wear longs that are
still soggy long after the rain has finished. However, in this country
(UK), rain typically comes with cold, which means longs are a good
idea. But if you wear waterproof overtrousers, you will slide all over
the seat.

You need something to keep the rain out of your eyes too - even if it's
only a peak on your helmet.

The problem is, if you start off cold, you put too much gear on, you
get too hot, then you daren't stop or you'll chill off very quickly.
If you start cold and don't put enough gear on, you'll never get warm
enough. The optimal level of insulation will vary according to more
variables than you can accurately assess.

Therefore, logic and advice will not address the problem as well as
experience will. My experience has led me to ensure the following:

Feet should be warm (good hiking socks that will still be warm when
wet)
Legs generate their own warmth - if it's too cold for that then it's
too cold to ride. I wear thin longs or thick fleecy longs, but that is
the only variable.
Head - usually a helmet, but occasionally a hat.
Top: a T shirt or cycling shirt. Sometimes two layers. If it's
raining, then a thin waterproof top - but not to keep the water out:
it's to keep the wind out.

Better to be too warm than too cold.


--
Mikefule

What you have can be taken away but what you have had cannot.
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