Is it me or is riding harder in the winter?

[Crackle]

Or - you can just go out when you feel like it; when you know you are going to enjoy it rather than turn it into some sort of endurance test. We don't all feel the need to prove our manliness by cycling in wind/rain/cold.
Anyway, YOU live in the south where you don't have REAL seasons. Come up here for a winter or two and see if you still feel the same .

It's always winter, the rain just gets warmer in summer.

 

[steveindenmark]

It's definitely harder but these miles over the winter are what makes for a good summer's riding.

Says the man who has sat on his backside watching sport all weekend due to a severe life threatening bout of man flu

Its like banging your head against a wall.

Its so nice when you stop doing it.

 

[annedonnelly]

Yes, your muscles don't warm up as quickly. I also think that breathing in cold air somehow isn't as efficient as in warmer air.

 

[ufkacbln]

I have just spent the afternoon at Nordkapp in Norway, most northerly point of mainland Europe

It is snowing and -5 .... the only way up is to travel "Finnmark style" in a convoy proceeded by a snow plough



..... and down the hill comes a cyclist with full touring kit


Chapeau - THAT is winter cycling!

 

[growingvegetables]

Harder? Naaa - just different.

Slower? So what!
Colder? Layers!
Wetter? Hmmm - this winter's never-ending November has ****ed me off no end!
Wind? Bloody November gales. Never-ending. Three months of 'em.

Silly - it has been so much milder this winter, but I just haven't been out properly for weeks and weeks.

Until today. Bitterly cold. Clear Arctic blue skies. Sunshine. Snowdrops and magnificent views ....
... until I'd granny-geared for 2 miles out of Otley to drop into the Washburn valley.

- Then hail came in.
- Back came the "sun".
- And then a blustering heavy snow shower for 40 minutes.

And I had a ball. Three months of cobwebs blown out. Big time. Proper winter riding - not Novemberish grot.

 

[biggs682]

its harder for sure just to get out of bed

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Anything from the N.W. to S.E can be difficult as it tends to bring in colder air at this time of year, even in summer N to E can be a bitch, not to mention extra clothing to wear (weight) rubber is less forgiving as it is colder.

Come up here for a winter or two and see if you still feel the same .

My experience of one winter in Kent was it was as bad as anything as the 6 years I spent on Skye.

 

[wam68]

Harder yes, absolutely. Wind seems to be permanent and haven't seen as many potholes in ages. This has been the worse winter training I have experienced in a long time ( although some will say the stronger the wind the better the training ). All I can say is keep at it and as the weather improves so will your enjoyment.

Chin Up !!!

 

[vickster]

I'm trying to ride a bit now in the hope that I can remember how when my surgeon finally lets me back near a bike after my shoulder op in mid March. I reckon I'll have missed all of the spring and some of the summer...I'm hoping for an Indian one

 

[Stevec047]

All of my cycling has been during the winter started off in October so am quite looking forward to the spring. If what everyone has said summer riding is much easier then roll on summer.

Don't get me wrong I love going out on the bike and for the past few weekends I have been out and put in around 9 to 10 miles a week but I just run out of fuel and the cold hits me so the warmer weather should mean much longer rides and plenty of dodgy tan lines.

 

[leedsmick]

Ive missed 5 weeks due to a shoulder op and choose today to head back out. I too was fooled by the weather. Colder and stiffer wind than it looked when i set off. Loved it but my times were far slower than normal but dont care as im back on the road.....

 

[vickster]

Ive missed 5 weeks due to a shoulder op and choose today to head back out. I too was fooled by the weather. Colder and stiffer wind than it looked when i set off. Loved it but my times were far slower than normal but dont care as im back on the road.....

Just 5 weeks, cool. I've been told by the surgeon I won't be allowed to drive for 8 weeks and not cycling was the main thing he mentioned when we discussed the surgery so Lord knows when he'll clear me to ride on the road again he specifically said I could use a turbo though...great in the spring and summer I'll have to stick it in the garden!

 

[vickster]

All of my cycling has been during the winter started off in October so am quite looking forward to the spring. If what everyone has said summer riding is much easier then roll on summer.

Don't get me wrong I love going out on the bike and for the past few weekends I have been out and put in around 9 to 10 miles a week but I just run out of fuel and the cold hits me so the warmer weather should mean much longer rides and plenty of dodgy tan lines.

Take some food with you and have a coffee break after 10 miles to warm you for the return

 

[Doobiesis]

I'm trying to ride a bit now in the hope that I can remember how when my surgeon finally lets me back near a bike after my shoulder op in mid March. I reckon I'll have missed all of the spring and some of the summer...I'm hoping for an Indian one

Shame they couldn't do it in October- then you'd be ready just in time for summer 2017!

 

[vickster]

Shame they couldn't do it in October- then you'd be ready just in time for summer 2017!

Unfortunately I had to work, did look at having it done just before Christmas but couldn't be off. I'm in constant pain now and have been for months so I'm having it done as soon as I can.