Strange Pedal Resistance, Advice Welcome!

[Dusty Bin]

Do the cranks spin freely backwards? If not, then your jockey wheel bearings are probably shagged....

 

[Exile]

I know you've said your brakes aren't rubbing, but have you checked them whilst you're sat on the bike? I only mention it because I had an issue with my rear wheel being out of true just enough that the wheel turned freely with me off the bike, but when I was on it the wheel flexed just enough to rub lightly on one side of the brakes, causing a fair bit of 'drag' with little to no noise.

Might not be what's behind your problems, but it's worth a look.

 

[fossyant]

If you have checked the wheels spin easily, that when the chain is off the chainset that this spins, then as you say just shorts and legwarmers may be your problem, that would affect me.

Whilst we have some folk on here who would happily ride naked all year round, the cold will be getting to your thighs and body if you haven't got sufficient clothing. I'm running shorts and bib tights with windproof thighs and front. I also have windproof soft shell over a merino base layer. Buff around neck, skull cap, gloves and overshoes.

What are you wearing overall?

 

[Dangermouse]

Sounds like the bearings are buggered somewhere, try turning the pedals with your hand and see if they are stiff, do this whilst the crank isn't moving, if that's fine try turning the crank and see if that has any resistance, if those checks are fine then move onto the rear hub, remove the wheel and hold the ends of the spindle whilst someone spins the wheel and see if there is any resistance there..........all these components should spin freely without any notchiness but there will be a very small amount of resistance due to the grease inside the bearings but not enough to hold the component stiff

 

[rualexander]

A virus maybe?