Cycling in the cold weather

wirelessdude01 · 12-10-2013 5:45pm #1

Have noticed over the past week that my average kmph has dropped a few. Putting it down to the cold/chill in the air. The weather app on my phone has been showing real feel temps that rarely rise to 5degrees. Am I wrong to think to put it down to the cold?

Idleater · 12-10-2013 5:56pm

No, energy burns more efficiently at lower temperatures. Look for excuses elsewhere. For example wind direction is north easterly as opposed to the "normal" westerly so perhaps your route is impacted more?

AltAccount · 12-10-2013 5:59pm

If anything it'll be down to colder muscles and less enthusiasm for exertion vs summer. There's no change to friction or efficiency that'd slow you down in any meaningful way.

wirelessdude01 · 12-10-2013 6:21pm

Definitely no less enthusiasm. Love getting out. The NE wind could be a factor alright even though I have found the wind to be kinda in my face all week no matter what route I take.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 12-10-2013 6:24pm

My biggest problem in cold weather is the cold air hurts my lungs and the harder I have to breathe the more it hurts so I purposely have to slow my pace down until I've got properly warmed up and my lungs aren't as sore.

killalanerr · 12-10-2013 6:57pm

What cold weather if you are i Ireland it been anything but cold yet. may be you just need a rest

Nedkelly24 · 12-10-2013 7:29pm

Noticed my speed is down too!!
HTFU???? or is it the weather?

moby2101 · 12-10-2013 7:32pm

Hi
Not medical advice or at least it's not meant to be...(..mods feel free to delete)

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Mod note: If you feel the need to ask the question, ask it via PM rather than simply posting the "advice"

Beasty · 12-10-2013 7:37pm

I tend to find my speed is down a km or so per hour through the winter months. I'm currently in 3/4 length bib-tights which are not particularly restrictive, but once I get into the full winter gear my average speed will certainly drop, even though I'll maintain a similar effort

Cee-Jay-Cee · 14-10-2013 8:39pm

killalanerr wrote: »

What cold weather if you are i Ireland it been anything but cold yet. may be you just need a rest

You need to understand that when someone asks about an issue/matter and others reply with their opinions/experience etc that they are not always talking about that exact moment in time. In this case where the topic is 'cold weather' the vast majority of the answers, with the exception to your own, are referring to last winter or the one before or even the one before that again.

Cycling in the cold weather

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