Why do I feel less strong in cold weather?

[arielmoon]

Yes, I feel that way too. It's usually more windy here when it's cold and I have to think that figures in there. I have more clothing on and therefore more wind resistance too. I try not to pay too much attention to it though!

[Geonz]

I figured out that a 20 mile ride in the winter feels like a 50 mile ride. So. I give myself mental credit for 50 when I get out for 20. Yes, it takes longer (but I ride slower bikes, and riding through snow *is* slower).

Next Saturday we've got the Illini Chill which is a 20 or 40 miler... but a 12 mile trip to get there and 12 more back. I'll be tired

[PinkBike]

I still think it's just the extra clothes - same bike, same me, but now I'm hauling around an extra 10 pounds of clothes with each pedal stroke. I always feel it instantly.

[kenyonchris]

I hate the cold. I work in the cold, bike in the cold, stand around in the cold, dark rainy night and am totally miserable. I feel slower just WALKING. The guys were needling at me last night (at 3 AM)...they like to challenge me to physical things (which I always lose) so last night it was wall sits (4 minutes for me), incline push ups (15 for me), pull ups (3...I hate that), and the plank (2 min 20 seconds for me). It is a LOT less than I normally do in the gym, my theory is that when you add two pairs of long underwear, tights, thermal top, heavy jacket, muffler, kevlar vest, and the 30 lbs of stuff on my belt it decreases my productivity. The guys didn't buy that, but I'm sticking to it.

[PamNY]

It is a LOT less than I normally do in the gym, my theory is that when you add two pairs of long underwear, tights, thermal top, heavy jacket, muffler, kevlar vest, and the 30 lbs of stuff on my belt it decreases my productivity. The guys didn't buy that, but I'm sticking to it.

Ha. Your theory makes sense to me. I think standing around (or walking slowly) in the cold would be very trying indeed.

The replies to this thread are reassuring. I did bike last winter, but didn't have enough experience to detect the slowing I'm finding this year.

Skhill, your food theory is interesting. I'm as locavore as possible, so winter food is very different. And of course the extra clothes are a factor.

I'm taking a week off to avoid burnout. I plowed through a 32 mph wind last week which just about finished me mentally (and damn near knocked me off the bike, too).

Now that I know this happens to everybody and it's not just me being a wimp, I hope to regain my usual cheery attitude.