Winter Cycling - Cold weather cycling zapping your energy level?

I've made a coorelation when I finish cycling in warm vs cold weather. When I cycle on a warm day, I feel great for the rest of the day but when the weather gets colder I feel tired. Anyone else feel this way and what do you do about it?

:o

I certainly notice that I go slower for what seems like the same effort.

Your body is using extra energy to keep itself warm because you are huffing cold air. Your body needs to warm the air up that you breathe and also keep you warm. When it is warm outside, your body can rely on the ambient temp. to do much of this work. It's the same when it really hot outside too. Your body expends a lot of energy to keep itself cool. Being warm-blooded comes with the drawback of needing more energy to maintain a constant body temp.

Give your body some calories (some Vitamin C would be good for you too), and you'll be alright.

I notice it. I think the body is just less effecient (for various reasons). You only get XX% of energy to the pedals when it's colder. My commute is 3-5min longer and a bit less fun. So be it.

My preference is warmer weather, even hot, rather than chilly or cold. It just "seems" easier.

This is my thrid winter riding. I agree that winter cycling is generally more tiring, however i think there are also other factors. I am convinced that the decreased hours of sunlight play a role in winter fatigue as well.

This article in Icebike (http://www.icebike.org/Articles/SlowerWinter.htm) list and explains 9 reasons why winter bikeing is slower. I was surprisd to learn that the main reason is because cold air is denser than warmer air. That factor alone can make cycling 15% more effortful, or more. Greater drag, from winter clothing, was the other major factor.

yeah it seems like everything moves slower and requires more energy in the cold.. I also feel like the combination of me and all my clothing on the winter bike must weigh at least 15lbs more than the combination of the summer me on my fair weather rig.. then there is the difference in the rolling resistance between the studded mtb tires vs the conti grand prixs... and last but not least.. the added weight I pick up from the holidays before I come back into form in the spring... it all contributes.... but I look foreward to again suffering the anguish of feeling slow on the bike, as opposed to feeling slow on the couch while the broken leg heals :( ...it's all good..

yeah it seems like everything moves slower and requires more energy in the cold.. I also feel like the combination of me and all my clothing on the winter bike must weigh at least 15lbs more than the combination of the summer me on my fair weather rig.. then there is the difference in the rolling resistance between the studded mtb tires vs the conti grand prixs... and last but not least.. the added weight I pick up from the holidays before I come back into form in the spring... it all contributes.... but I look foreward to again suffering the anguish of feeling slow on the bike, as opposed to feeling slow on the couch while the broken leg heals :( ...it's all good..

I agree, I think most people would be surprised if they weighed the winter clothes.

And the winter body! :)

Totally agree !! last two weeks had colder weather with snow and added stuuded tires.
22 (max) minute summer ride has turned to 30 minutes has turend to 45 minutes. And was tired but on the weekend I was just beat. I'm sure it had to do with a long week of hard cycling.

Now its warmed up a bit and roads are packed felt a little better.

OC

yeah it seems like everything moves slower and requires more energy in the cold.. I also feel like the combination of me and all my clothing on the winter bike must weigh at least 15lbs more than the combination of the summer me on my fair weather rig.. then there is the difference in the rolling resistance between the studded mtb tires vs the conti grand prixs... and last but not least.. the added weight I pick up from the holidays before I come back into form in the spring... it all contributes.... but I look foreward to again suffering the anguish of feeling slow on the bike, as opposed to feeling slow on the couch while the broken leg heals :( ...it's all good..

Well summed up ... good luck with your leg :)

I just started pedaling shortly after Thanksgiving in a effort to be healthier. Someone said the Specialized Hardrock is slower in the cold, and today was the first time I'd been able to pedal for long above with the temperature above freezing. It wasn't that warm, but I did notice 2 big differences today. The first was that I was able to go faster for what seemed the same amount of effort, and the second was that there were brief moments of actual fun this time. Not the Zenlike appeal of motorcycling, but fun none the less.