My first thought was it was frozen from water being inside.

I remember back in HS days. guys would pull a practical joke on each other by squirting water into the lock on very cold days. Most of the boys carried some kind of de-icing spray.

But it sounds like from what DebW and the kryptonite people say, I would suggest that maabe wash the mechanism out with WD-40 (its a solvent not a lube) then oil properly afterwards. I would hope that WD-40 would get the grime out. Doesn't WD-40 come in a spray can with straw attachment?

I would give that a go... And I think I will keep this in the back of my mind too.

Well thank goodness you got the lock to let go and your bike is safe at home.

Wish you a safe Christmas evening.