The temperature has dropped. Well actually, it’s plummeted this week, with the mercury plunging into the low single figures. So it’s important, whether you’re just commuting to work or training for next year’s sportive, to get your clothing sorted now.

But as important as making the right purchasing decisions is understanding how best to approach the task of layering yourself with fabric to keep yourself warm, dry and comfortable.

It’s all about layering. Essentially it’s the principle of wearing several appropriate layers for the conditions you expect to encounter on your ride, rather than wearing just one big jacket over a tee-shirt. How many layers? Well, three seems to be the optimum number when it’s really cold, with two ideal for slightly warmer days and four reserved for near-Arctic conditions. But the number of layers does all depend on the type of clothing you have at your disposal.

Each thin layer traps air between it and the next, keeping you warmer, and high quality wicking garments will transport perspiration away from your skin to the next layer in turn to deal with.  Layering can be a fine art though; you can never be entirely sure how much you need to wear, what with the frequently changeable conditions only adding to the problem. Experience counts a lot, so getting out on your bike and trying different clothing combinations until you find the right balance is our top tip.