Hate the cold, good for riding
 

I abhor winter and the cold it brings, however I really enjoy riding in the cold weather as I am better able to ride harder for longer distances. The ol' body no longer gets along well with hot days at 60% throttle. Anyone else experiencing this?

Thank Volumetric Efficiency. Although my body tends to break down quickly when exposed to more than a short period of cold temperatures.

Yeah, I'm finding it challenging this winter to adapt to the moderately cold weather. Rode 42 miles Friday night, temp down into the high 30s. The first 12 miles to a group meetup, I was sweating but chilled under my windbreaker. Then by 30 miles my toes were numb but my torso had finally adapted so I wasn't sweating or clammy. I popped open some toe warmer chemical packets for the 12 mile ride back home and finally felt comfortable. It only took 30 miles to warm up.

On every solo road bike workout this month I've wanted to quit within the first 5 miles, just because it's taking me longer to warm up properly. I start sweating immediately but I'm not actually warm, so I feel chilled. But I know if I keep churning ahead I'll feel better after about 10 miles. I've tried warming up first on the indoor trainer but it doesn't really work. My legs are looser and ready to go, but it hasn't helped with adapting to the chilly weather.

What does seem to help is a high carb snack before and during the ride. Usually a protein/energy bar, or gel -- I like the Clif mocha with caffeine. I usually try to avoid sugary sweet junk food but I'll tell myself if I ride at least 20-30 miles, I'll stop for coffee and donuts. Seems to work.

As a post-menopausal woman, I'm finding the opposite. I don't tolerate heat and humidity very well at all. But give me the colder weather and I'm good! My ride today will be in the 20s. Not expected to get above freezing and it will be cloudy but not much wind. Over the years of hiking, running, and snowshoeing, I've built up a great collection of clothing that is multi purpose for dealing with the weather. I did invest in winter cycling boots last year which were well worth it for me. I also put bar mitts on my bikes. If I can keep my hands and feet comfortable, then the rest of me is no problem.

I really enjoy riding during the winter when temperatures are in the 30-50 degree range. I tend to ride at a slightly reduced effort compared to summer riding. I'll also ride when the weather is in the twenties, but these rides need to be shorter, less than one hour.

Dressing appropriately is key. The clothing needs to breathe to avoid moisture build-up from perspiration yet it must also retain body heat. The hands and feet also need the perfect amount of wind protection while minimizing dampness from perspiration.

I commute, and 23-48F seems to be ideal. I'll ride down to 10F, but then my hands and feet get a little cold. I'll ride up to 100, but have to take it easy.

The hardest part of riding in the cold for me is waiting to hit the 10-15 minute mark where I really warm up. I "under-dress" for that, so I am a little chilly until then, except leaving the house or office, where I am still "over-dressed" for room temperature. If I am delayed getting outside I can over heat and start to perspire which is not good when hitting the cold outside air.

Summer sux!

I have Raynaud's as well and it really takes a lot of enjoyment out of cold weather riding. Once it gets below freezing I have a hard time motivating because the cold triggers the Raynaud's and it can take a couple hours to restore circulation after it hits.

There's the old saying that you can only remove so much clothing. Nevertheless, I can tolerate the heat a heck of a lot more than I can the cold. Besides, its not that difficult to be damaged by the cold but you really have to work at it to have a physical malady caused by the heat.

A local mt. bike club member, late 50's, died of an HA this past summer on a ride, it was a Sunday afternoon with temp's in the 90's and high humidity. Sometimes you need some common sense when there are extremes of weather.

Agree with the OP. Hate the cold (why I moved from NY to GA) but find that I can ride really well from 48 -80 degrees. Essentially I get in really good shape until mid May at which time the temps and the HUMIDITY in Georgia get into the 90s and I essentially stop riding. I don't want to stop riding but I'm not a morning guy and by the time I get out...it's just too darn hot.

And now that summers in the south seem to be getting hotter earlier, it's even worse. I hate losing all my conditioning every summer, but the humidity down here is just killer.

I try to ride all year around outside as I get too bored riding indoors on a trainer. I'll ride in the winter down maybe to the teens (unless it's a one or two day cold snap - then I may just take the day off). My winter rides are shorter than my long spring/summer/fall long rides. Generally, not more than 25 miles or so if the temperature is in the 30's - maybe around 15 if it's colder than that so really just trying to keep up with some base conditioning for when spring rolls around. Regarding heat, I've done a few rides in the 85 - 105 mile range where the temperature got into the mid-90's along with high humidity and I found that really difficult. If I limit the ride to 50-60 miles and get a fairly early start before the heat really ramps up, I'm ok even if the last hour is getting too hot for my comfort level. Just really need to be more conscious of staying hydrated. The 50's through 70's/low 80's is kind of my preferred sweet spot.

I've always loved winter; I grew up in a cold climate skating on ponds, sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing. The cold never bothered me, even out on the flight line at -30F in North Dakota. One of my favorite poems is "Snowbound" by Whittier My main complaint about winter now is the salt they put on the roads, so that morons who never learned to drive on snow and ice can go at full speed.

That's it. The Cali crowd can't handle the cold. 40 is a piece of cake.

Yeah, the teens can be rough even in calm conditions for cycling.

One thing. What are people wearing. I never wear "Cycling Clothing". Fleece lined nylon pants that I buy on Amazon with pockets. Imagine wearing pants with pockets while cycling. Gasp. And a T shirt, Kuhl, zip up, and the trusty Patagonia Retro Fleece. I am completely comfortable in the 30's and 40's.
Again, you can't get enough off in the summer. Summer is a total beat down!

I just can't get comfortable riding in cold weather (anywhere in the 40's). This winter I've been experimenting with different clothing configurations but still can't seem to get comfortable. I know the temps that I consider cold are probably somewhat balmy to others, but... it's just not in me. My mileage plummets when the temps drop. I'm hoping that one day I can find the right gear that will keep me warm, but until then, I'm sleeping in.

Don't forget to factor in the wind. Yesterday was overcast all day here in the Chicago area with temps 28-31 degrees for my entire 43 mile ride but there was virtually no wind. Today is much warmer, in the upper 30's with full sunshine. But there is a very brisk wind from the south which makes today feel colder than yesterday. I did a short hike with my husband at the arboretum today and was glad that I picked yesterday for my ride.

First, been there, done that. Second, this was not clever.