Do you ride slower in the winter ?

[palinurus]

Wet roads, leaves, gravel, fog, drizzle, proper rain, darkness. Sure I go slower in the winter.

 

[Matty]

Slower for me. Wasn't slower last year, then fell off and had a couple of trips to A&E. Consciously slower this winter, especially corners and around traffic, you can't quickly escape problems when there is little grip!

 

[Arch]

I'm slower in the winter, and I know exactly why - a winter hack that is several kilos heavier than my summer ride, plus, on the way home in the dark at least, an elderly bottle dynamo.

 

[levad]

Generally yes, explanation can be found here ...

http://www.icebike.com/Articles/SlowerWinter.htm

 

[cyberknight]

Definitely a bit slower if you take into account the time spent putting more on clothes , lights etc i have found it takes me about another 10 minutes to do my 10 mile commute.

 

[Crankarm]

A bit slower when really cold not only due to the road conditions but because cold slows your muscles down and it takes longer to get warmed up. Nothing worse than busting a gut in cold weather and getting an injury .

 

[robjh]

so it's not just me then

Thanks for the replies, good to know I'm not the only one. The link from Levad was interesting.
I hadn't even mentioned going slower because of wet/icy surfaces, but I was certainly taking a few corners more carefully after I noticed ice on the parked cars the other morning.
Anyway, roll on springtime.

 

[Randochap]

Yes. Time to rest and concentrate on base miles.

 

[jimboalee]

Yes.

Your observations are correct.

 

[biking_fox]

I estimate I'm about my weekly average speed is about 1 mph slower over winter. I definetly ride slower in the dark - no matter how bright the lights it takes more concentration. The inclemant weather also has an effect. Weekly average is fastest on still weeks, no wind in either direction. Even on lucky days with a strong tailwind, the reverse ride into a strong headwind is a greater reduction ins speed than the tailwind boosts it.

 

[jimboalee]

I estimate I'm about my weekly average speed is about 1 mph slower over winter. I definetly ride slower in the dark - no matter how bright the lights it takes more concentration. The inclemant weather also has an effect. Weekly average is fastest on still weeks, no wind in either direction. Even on lucky days with a strong tailwind, the reverse ride into a strong headwind is a greater reduction ins speed than the tailwind boosts it.

Now tell us why.

 

[Norm]

In daylight and with a dry road, I feel that I'm faster in winter because I overheat easily.

In the winter, though, I'm generally slower but that's because it's dark and / or wet rather than the temperature. I haven't tried riding on ice, though, so the temperature might have an impact in that instance.

 

[jonesy]

Definitely slower. I need to allow more like 20 minutes after the clocks change for a ride that I can do in 16 minutes in the summer. The main factor is lighting- most of the distance is on an unlit road and I just don't feel I've got the same warning of potholes, poor surfaces etc as I do in daylight.

 

[Downward]

Don't know what was going on this morning but it took me 43 mins to do 7.2 miles.

Even coming back just in the cold, wind and pouring rain took me 30 minutes.

 

[Glow worm]

Just checked my average speed over the last week on my cycle computer and it's just 11.5 mph- I'm usually up around 12.5, (stop laughing you at the back ) - so I guess I have slowed down. We have only had one frost so far here so it's not the ice, but it has been really windy which doesn't help because as we all know the wind is rarely in our favour .