Herbie53

I ride to get in / stay in shape so my average speed is of secondary concern to just getting a good workout, but I do check it after each ride and like it when I see improvement.

Over the last few rides it's going down!! I think this is likely 'cuz it's cold, yucky and dark now, but wanted to see what you guys have experienced.

Does riding in the cold just make you go slower? Why?

cyclefreaksix

Ayup, I've noticed this too. I just seem to have to work harder to keep up the same or slightly slower speeds. Would be interested to hear any theories as to why...

ryanwood

I have been experiencing the same slow down over the last week, I have started to pay much more attention to my pace, and I attribute my slow down to gnarly road conditions and additional clothing. I wear heavier pants, a heavier jacket and heavier shoes. I have also been dealing with snow and ice on the road and the bike path I ride on.

flip18436572

I am on rollers inside, so I can't help you at all. Usually I might slip a little, but it really depends upon the day and whether I am working at going faster, or just riding to put in the miles. When it gets down in temperatures the weather has usually gone to crap, so I am inside.

chipcom 

It's winter, time to relax, slow down and worry more about keeping the rubber on the road than on speed.

Tabor

I have noticed that I have a lot more wind resistance when I have my rain gear on then when I just have a jersey on.

Herbie53

Fair enough.

So far this "off season" has cost me just a little skin, some spandex and a brake lever (rain and fallen leaves). That was enough.

Found myself puzzled this eveing when crossing a wooden deck bridge -- was wondering why someone had placed flour/baking soda/sawdust or cocaino all over the place..... it was some left over snow & ice and because the rest of the path had been clear I was trying to rationalize what it was(cleary a case of brain in an anaerobic state). Fortunately it was the last bridge where I'm slowing for a turn and not trying to sprint over the top!

I just like getting out. I'm hoping to keep the trainer dusty and quiet for as long as I can.

Pinyon

I've heard lots of arguments about why it is harder to ride fast when it is cold. Some say that the air is denser and offers more resistance, others talk about tire resistance to the road, etc. I personally think that it is just my body's reaction to the cold temperatures. I feel like my legs and lungs just don't operate as efficiently at lower temperatures. It's not that it takes more energy to ride, but that I can't put as much energy to the pedals, and that I'm still chilly and working hard enough to feel the exertion, while at the same time I can tell that I'm going slower than normal. The mental part of "working so hard" to go so slowly is the killer.

funrover 

Yep.... It's slower season. I find with the colder temps I wear more, adding resistance. I pack more, adding resistance. And I am more often on the MTB commuter due to snow/Ice etc, which adds more resistance. I can't say the same for everyone here but that is my reasoning...



However on the icy days according to the speedometer I am much quicker at times... Just pretend you didn't see the wheel spin!

dbikingman

I'm all over the place on my winter riding. I usually use my commuter bike lately because it has the fenders. It is a slower bike then my road bike. The couple of times I rode my rode bike I had a good pace, but I was only riding for an hour.

I find the biggest issue is guessing which clothes to wear for comfort. The other day I was comfortable except for one thumb got cold. And I found myself thinking why is that thumb cold, rather then about my riding. Hey, even if I am slower on the bike in the winter it is much faster then last winter when I didn't ride at all.