How cold does it need to be to have an affect on your ride?

[Slick]

I'm not sure if I'm doing more winter rides or if it's just affecting me more than it used to, but im starting to notice a real increase in effort in the morning rides for no time gain. It has always taken me around 3 or 4 miles for my legs to losen up properly but with so many morning runs well below freezing my legs never seem to get going the way they should. So far the the ride home, whilst still cold is usually above freezing and I seem to make good time and I feel my legs finally relax which makes everything a lot easier. I've cycled the passed couple of winter's but never noticed such a pronounced drop in performance before. I reckon it's probably worse when it gets below -4 and I just wondered if it's fairly common amongst the early morning commuters?

 

[vickster]

Below about 10 degrees for me in all honesty, as soon as I have to layer up

I wouldn't even consider riding in sub zero temps. 3 is about my minimum as long as there's little or preferably no frost. It hurts too much and I take too long to recover when I fall off (I'm quite capable of doing that in the summer without slippery surfaces)

I ride for enjoyment not flagellation! I don't commute 4 days in 5 so if I do want to go out and I can do so when it's warmer at lunchtime. On the 5th day, I can choose between train and bike (not only determined by weather)

 

[hoopdriver]

I’ve never noticed anything like that and I used to ride a great deal before dawn on cold winter days. I gave it up after a nasty fall on black ice, but I never had any problems with energy loss or being unable to get going properly. Perhaps you’ve got a low-grade bug or something.

 

[Banjo]

In winter you are wearing more clothing which makes you less aero dynamic plus your body is using energy to keep you warm.I find it considerably harder to complete a long ride in winter than the same ride in summer .

 

[flake99please]

It depends on whether I am out with a bike or trike. It’s my toes which suffer more noticeably in the colder temps. Anything below 5 degrees and I don’t take the trike out now. Last week I was commuting at -8 for a couple of mornings on my cdf.

Perhaps a change of spd shoe is necessary, as mine are getting on a bit now (15 + years old)?

 

[ianrauk]

As I have got older I have noticed that it takes a while longer to get warmed up and the muscles working better in the colder months. That, and all the extra clothing makes colder months riding a bit harder and hence a little slower.

 

[Bodhbh]

Below 3-4C my hands just freeze, they never get warm and it's not remotely enjoyable. Otherwise, I'm not that bothered by subzero, but it's enough.

 

[Slick]

I’ve never noticed anything like that and I used to ride a great deal before dawn on cold winter days. I gave it up after a nasty fall on black ice, but I never had any problems with energy loss or being unable to get going properly. Perhaps you’ve got a low-grade bug or something.

It would be a miracle if I haven't as I seem to be the only one at work who isn't coughing and spluttering. There's a good number who have just patched it now until next year.

 

[Slick]

In winter you are wearing more clothing which makes you less aero dynamic plus your body is using energy to keep you warm.I find it considerably harder to complete a long ride in winter than the same ride in summer .

I don't feel I'm wearing that much more to be honest. I do wear shorts for most off the year but just now I have bib tights a merino base with a cheap shower proof jacket. I have a neck tube I can pull over the majority of my face to try and beat the wind chill and warm gloves and ordinary socks. I can work up a bit of a sweat about 7 miles in which is half way so I feel I'm appropriately dressed.

 

[Slick]

It depends on whether I am out with a bike or trike. It’s my toes which suffer more noticeably in the colder temps. Anything below 5 degrees and I don’t take the trike out now. Last week I was commuting at -8 for a couple of mornings on my cdf.

Perhaps a change of spd shoe is necessary, as mine are getting on a bit now (15 + years old)?

My feet did feel a bit cold despite the rubber overshoe, so might look into trying a better pair.

 

[Slick]

Below 3-4C my hands just freeze, they never get warm and it's not remotely enjoyable. Otherwise, I'm not that bothered by subzero, but it's enough.

Funny how it affects us all differently, I only have cheap gloves as my hands rarely suffer from cold, in fact overall I rarely feel the cold but thigh muscle especially seems stiff and weak in the colder morning's.

 

[jefmcg]

25C

 

[hoopdriver]

Sounds like a bug your body is fighting off, at some cost to yourself

 

[flake99please]

25C.......

Never seen that temperature up here. However, If you put a minus sign in front of it.

 

[Jason]

My operating temperature is between 5-28C , either side I am less likely to be seen riding.