I lose some of my conditioning if I only commute - and I'm taking those easy through the winter - and skip the longer weekend rides, so I'm sure there will be some impact. I've never actually not commuted in the winter so I could be blowing smoke here, but I think you'll lose some edge to your fitness and then stay at a slightly lower level that is sustained by the weekend rides. Not a whole lot, but enough to need a few weeks of work in the Spring.

Quite the contrary. STANDARD DAYLIGHT TIME comes to us on Sunday. DST comes again in April.
Jon

Not as much as I hate you for that beautiful commute I see in your pics, or the seemingly perpetual sunshine, or those wonderful mountain roads you have around there. I could go on but I'll just get even more upset!

Never mind, I've just gone out and bought some new cold weather cycling clothes for my all-week cycling.

^ lol ... touche!

I learned to ride after-work rides at night with the arrival of uncivilized weather (a/k/a winter) and the loss of daylight saving time. It worked out pretty well. I rode only familiar routes at night, had plenty of lights, front and rear, and wore a very-reflective safety vest. Actually, I had less trouble with cars and dogs at night than I had on day rides as I was extremely visible on the road.

Night rides were slower and not as long, but I was able to get some miles in. Also, the stress/irritation of the work day was flushed by the catharsis of the ride. Worst part of night rides was the odors that emanated from houses as the evening meal was in preparation. Made me hungry

I bought a kickr to avoid being a weekend warrior - and so far my rides have improved incredibly.

I'm also no longer anal about missing a weekend of great cycling weather spending it instead with family or others....cause with the Kickr i can cycle 24/7.

I hate cold, so even with the mild winters here I don't ride many evenings. I may get a few evening rides in November, but after that even on warm days it tends to cool rapidly after sunset. I'd like to be able to get out more in the winter, but I'm hoping in another 3 years or so my weekdays will be free as well.

You just need some winter clothes (gloves, bib tight and/or leg covers, thermal long sleeve jersey, etc). The lights are not too bad, but I agree with you in not wanting to ride after dark (or before dawn). I just park and ride to reduce my commute so I can pretty much squeeze it in at or before dawn/dusk in the winter.

You need to cyclecommute to work! Ride every weekday and take the weekends off. Park and ride to reduce the distance if needed. I do that so I get to spend the weekends with my 5 year old son. Also, the extra miles during the week will definately bring you back into shape. I feel great and wished I did it years ago. Maybe take Friday off if you still want to do the weekend group ride, grand fondo, etc?

Not much winter here in Texas. I don't mind riding in the dark and one can always add another layer of clothes when the temperature drops. So yes I try to commute all year round and occasionally I do some trips on the weekend. I actually try to run all my errands by bike combining riding and the daily chores.

This. I have a Tacx Neo and use Zwift and Trainer Road. I'll ride outside as much as possible but if it's slippery or too cold and windy for my taste I can get a better workout on the trainer. I have as much saddle time in the winter as I do in the summer.
Following a training plan on Trainer Road keeps it more interesting than slogging through a bunch of low intensity survival miles fighting the weather and I go into spring in better shape than a lot of my riding peeps.

My part of NC is pretty mild, we have to get a serious snow to keep me off the trails. I do short (15 miles) rides during the week and save the longer adventure trips for the weekends.

I WAS a weekend warrior, but 9 years ago I retired after working 47 years for the same company.

Now that I am retired I am free to ride any day of the week weather permitting. I liken it to being a teenager between the 11th and the 12th grade in the summer. Ive got a car, a bike, a little money, my health, and a wife. Life is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got mine all setup in the garage as I can't ride out now its to cold and affecting my gammy right wrist, next week I have a hot air blower being delivered so at least I can then ride static.