winter and summer efficiency
 

I started pedaling last winter, and was able to get a great workout in a short amount of time - but wasn't able to go very far. Now that it's summer, I can go a lot further but it takes much longer to get the same workout in. I'm wondering how much of this is due to the extra endurance I have now, and how much is due to the warmer weather. I haven't changed much on my bicycle either, just added a slightly taller seatpost and a better seat and I'd already been able to go further/longer before I made those changes. Should I be able to continue needing to spend more time to get the same amount of exercise in next winter, or will my workouts become more efficient then?

Your body is adapting to the exercise requirements of your current bicycle and the route your taking. If your just into it for the exercise and don't care to add miles simply put some aggressive tires on your bike with lots of rolling resistance. Another option is to change your route and add hills. Adding weight and hills is another option. If you're riding a road bike pickup an old mountain bike with aggressive tires. Big box retailers have very cheap bicycles, which will fulfill your "lead sled" exercise requirements! The cheaper the heavier the fewer miles you will be required to pedal for your exercise requirements. Just remember to replace the cheap tubes in the tires and replace them with good quality tubes and new rim tape from your LBS so you wont have flat tires about 5 miles from home. Thrift stores are also an option but you must be careful about the condition of a used thrift store bike. You can easily end up with more money in a $5 thrift store bike than a new Wally World $79 bike!

I'm using a used Specialized Hardrock that came with semiknobbies, and boy did I get the extra exercise over the weekend when I took it with when we went to an area with lots of hills! I think I need to find more hills closer to home, thanks for the tip.