Bicycle Mechanics - Cold Weather=Bike in Neutral?

Hey There,
I'm Drew, and this is my first post. Hi!

Here in the middle of Missouri, it's far too cold. Today it was 15 degrees, with about a 3 degree wind chill! Fun!
Along with the fact that the cold is darn near unendurable, it does some strange things to my bike, a late 90s Trek Mountain Track. When the weather is below freezing, it takes a great deal of persuasion to get my bike to move. The crank spins freely, the chain spins the freewheel, but I go nowhere. The only way out of this is to push the bike awkwardly like a skateboard to get it up to a slow speed, then pedal very slowly.
I don't know if this is a common problem, but it's beginning to be quite a hassle, seeing as the bike is my only transportation to class.
Any ideas?

What it probably happening is the oil/grease in your freewheel (or freehub) has thickened to the point where it's keeping the pawls from engaging.

It's a sign your rear hub needs attention.

Here's a link to get you started:http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=45

So when you pedal forward your freewheel makes the tick-tick noise as if you are pedaling backwards? If that's the case, the springs that push the pawls in your freewheel against the ratchet could be weak and/or the grease in the freewheel congeals and gums up the pawls, preventing them from catching the ratchet.

Here's a link that will have more detail than you want.
http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/freehub.htm
I would suggest that if running oil into the freewheel/freehub doesn't help that replacement should be your next option.

I read the icebike site and, just because it is WAY easier, I suggest these changes:
after removing the axle and bearings, leave the metal seal in and use a ten mm allen wrench to remove the freehub body. Take the rubber seal out of the back side of the freehub body. The article says solvents do not remove the grease as well as taking it apart, they do not use my favorite,... carb cleaner. :) spray it in the backside, spin the freehub, repeat. It will flush out the body quite well. Then fill it with light oil til it runs out. Reassemble.

[QUOTE=Rev.Chuck]... they do not use my favorite,... carb cleaner. :) spray it in the backside, spin the freehub, repeat. It will flush out the body quite well. QUOTE]

I LOVE carb cleaner. Brake cleaner works well, too.

Better living through extremely powerful chemistry!

[QUOTE=Rev.Chuck]... they do not use my favorite,... carb cleaner. :) spray it in the backside, spin the freehub, repeat. It will flush out the body quite well. QUOTE]

I LOVE carb cleaner. Brake cleaner works well, too.

Better living through extremely powerful chemistry!