highfidelitie

I don't know if I just don't have the drive, or if my tolerance for the cold is totally gone but, I can't get outside if it's sub 45. In the past it wasn't a problem but, this year is proving to be impossible. Thoughts?

TerraCottaGamer

Rule #5 !

Seriously though....I always remind myself of 1 immutable truth that I first learned when practicing instruments and now apply to riding: The hardest part is getting it out.

Once you get past that mental block of actually taking the bike out the body will follow and you will get lost in the love of the ride.

Lone

its probably not just winter cycling, but cycling that you don't want to do. start doing something else.

10 Wheels

Time to move to a warmer climate?

jrickards

No, can't be that, it's always time to move to a warmer climate, it's got to be something new.

rumrunn6

it might help to buy something new, a toy for the bike like a light or something, or new cycling clothes or gloves. I got some new neoprene gloves for cleaning the car when it's a wet snow cuz I don't like soggy gloves. I think they might be good for cold cycling too. I got some thin liners to go with them

10 Wheels

Get some New tires or and Wheels.

ThermionicScott 

The desire comes and goes for me as well, and probably does for most people. I find that the transition point between nice weather and cold weather (not the coldest weather itself) is what tests my mettle the most. Once the temperature has gone decisively below freezing, and any ice is dry, I can approach winter riding on its terms again.

I think my cold tolerance may be slipping, too -- this year, I had to go all the way to AmFib tights, long-sleeved merino baselayer, and balaclava once temperatures got under 45-50°F (8°C), with thick wool socks and lobster mitts under 25°F (-4°C) or so. Makes me wonder if I'll have to update my strategy for temps closer to 10°F (-12°C).

Do you have any riding buddies that are more gung-ho about winter riding? Perhaps you could ask them to pressure you into keeping up your riding with them.

SalsaShark

No matter how cold, I am always warmed up after about two minutes or so, and ready to face the day! Just have to get out that door, and all will be fine!

takenreasy

This is what I go with, as well. Have everything ready to go and hop on the bike. It's usually mostly attitude to get you going. Once going its usually bliss!

ericy

It is funny - for me the dark bugs me more than the cold, and when I commute to work I am in the dark at least part of the way on both directions. When we get to Feb/March, it will still be cold out, but the days will get longer and I won't need to rely upon the lights quite as much.

There are days however where I just don't feel like going outside, and I want to stay in bed all day. And there have been some days when I go to the gym not to work out but just to sit in the hot tub for 20 minutes. And right after a ride the hot tub is especially appealing..

climberguy

Spend some time outside, doing yard work, taking walks, etc. Dress appropriately. Soon 25-30 degrees F will seem more tolerable. Then put on winter gear and ride. You should find you get used to it

Leebo

45F is not cold, it's call fall in New England. Try wool and fleece. If you keep your head, hands and feet warm, the rest of you will follow. Where in NY are you? Or just take the taxis or Mass Transit, I'm sure they are awesome. Or HTFU. At 7F, my left eyelid froze and the gatorade turned solid, Man Up. Oh wait, are you a Giants fan, never mind.

tarwheel 

I would much prefer to ride in the fall, winter and spring than summer. A lot of it is conditioning. If you quit riding when it starts to get cold, it's hard to start back up. If you keep riding, you get acclimated -- assuming you are wearing the right gear. I've accumulated some great winter riding gear, usually bought when on sale. I might be cold for the first minute of riding but not after that. The big issue is to avoid over-dressing, which makes you sweat and get even colder. Dressing in layers is also helpful, so you can peel off items if temperatures warm up.

If you ride in winter, lighting is another key issue because the days are so short. I always keep lights on my bike if riding at times when I might get caught in the dark.

gregjones

+1, but then we don't really get a winter here.

I like how folks at the stores wear parkas when it's sixty degrees during October and wear shorts when it's sixty degrees in April.

fietsbob

Time to move south , Puerto Rico , or Hawaii.

Hezz

This sounds perfectly normal. Most people would feel this way. It's also beneficial to both the mind and the body to find some other kind of exercise and/or hobby for part of the year. For me, I love the simplicity of riding a bike but when it gets cold it all becomes too complicated. I would rather go walking or running in cold weather. Or watch movies while on the mini tramp. That is fun.

Jim from Boston

Perhaps you’ll find some advice in this thread, “Riding in colder temps is fun!.” My reply included a quote from a prior thread:

Hank244

Talk about jumping to conclusions....... Disregard this comment.

I agree with you. Each year, as I get older, the cold weather becomes more difficult. Nothing unusual about your comment. Certainly nothing to indicate that you won't love cycling when the warm weather returns.

howeeee

the weather has been perfect here..30 to 50 for the last 2 weeks, just got colder today, no problem for me, I love the bike unless the weather is crazy like last year,,,it is no trouble at all to get on the bike. I see 8 weeks till March 1 if I can get on the bike 4 to 6 days a week till then, I will be happy.

If you think 45 is cold,,winter riding is not for you.

Daniel4

This is the first year of commuting by bike for me. I’ve been biking since May through sun, rain, snow heat and cold. As the weather and temperature changes, I adapt. I told the people at work and my family I will be biking as long as I can still do it. This will be the ever first winter I will be not only commuting by bike but biking in. So all this is new to me and everyday a challenge to see what I am capable of. That’s what make me want to go out into the cold.

For you, maybe it’s all routine and you are bored and no longer want to bother with the preparation. Hopping into a car is so much more convenient.

ol geezer

I turned 63 a couple months ago. I, too, seem to be losing my tolerance to the cold. I look outside and see the clear blue skies ... and the thermometer. And then I tell myself that if I don't go out and ride then I'll just sit and veg out on the couch. I'd RATHER be riding so I go "bundle up" and get on the bike. It's as one of the earlier posters said ... once you get out there and start warming up, you just get lost in the ride. So true ...

I will say it takes having the right combination of layers to keep you warm (once you've warmed up) without making you sweat a lot. There's some trial and error involved. I would encourage you to give it another try or two or six , even if you THINK you don't want to go ride. But if your bike and the road is calling you, then give in to it! And if doesn't work out ... spring is right around the corner!