nun

I've been cycling ever since the snow and ice started to melt in the NE, I'm not hardy or reckless enough
to keep going through the entire winter. For the last month or so the weather has hovered in the 30s and there seemed to be a constant 20 mph head wind no matter what direction I was cycling, so it has been hard work.

What a difference a nice day makes to the whole cycling experience. With puddles still on the ground from the morning rain I started out with a rain jacket on, but after 10 miles the sun was getting hot and I had to take on more water and remove the jacket. There was no wind and I could feel the sun on my back. Bluebells were in bloom at the side of the road and I felt like I was going 20% faster than in last week's cold and wind.

Cycling in the cold and cycling in the warm are two completely different sports.

jamawani 

Not to mention the slush streak up your back.

Machka 

I completely agree with you!! I do ride through the winter, and it is a lot of work. The jury is still out on what makes cycling in cold weather slower than than cycling in warm weather (it is a question which is discussed every winter in the Winter forum), but the fact remains ... every seems to be slower in colder weather, and the riding seems more difficult.

You might like my little rant about "spring" here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/402549-spring-sigh.html

Today's ride here was finally warm ... like summertime warm ... and what a blissful difference!!!

foamy

Brother—I'm with you. A bit of color in the surroundings helps immensely.

brotherdan

And I thought it was just me, or my forty mm studded winter tires. I always feel way faster when it starts to heat up and I could never think of a good reason to explain it. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one.