Anyone know if the same loop in the weather we have the moment is much harder – Did the Cwn Carn loop on Friday and it knocked me for six – looking for an answer apart from the obvious lack of fitness!

Surely its tougher – cold air in lungs, stiffer joints, extra calories need burning to keep warm. In addition all the extra layers make one feel a bit cumbersome and most people ride and race less in winter so are less fit. And the ground is probably soggier so a bit harder going, so yes overall, cold, winter riding is quite tough.

Still good for you!! Just eat more and wear more wool.

I reckon Jack Frost sneaks into the shed and puts lead in my tyres. Winter always feels hard work.

Waht hh45 said. The main one that gets me is just the cold air irritating my lungs.

but the air’s denser and therefore you get more oxygen in your lungs for each breath – it’s got to make a difference.

Plus the grease in the bearings is stickier (technical term…) and the chain will have more friction as well.

You’ve got to account for all the extra peddle strokes when your rear wheel spins on the ice! Sure that’ll add up to an extra Km or two!

I finding running harder – not cycling much in the ice.
Put it partly down to the extra layers and tougher ground conditions.

My lungs seem to seize up completely in the cold. It’s put me right off this exercise lark.

I think the mere fact of the cold & trail/road conditions makes you a little less relaxed which makes it all more tiring and harder work.

This mornings ride to work was hard going on the frozen grass. It’s like it’s reaching out and grabbing your tyres and you have to tear them from it’s clutches. And the frozen mud that has been churned up by the horses means your being rattled around all over the place which is also more tiring. Given all that though when the sun shines in the morning it’s my favourite conditions to ride to work. Socks and gloves on the radiator this morning before I left which also helped.

Three days’ riding in Cumbria at start of the cold snap and I felt like I didn’t get properly warmed-up (exercise wise) the whole time.

Last week’s night ride was much better though – must be milder down south or I got the clothing level just right.

Really interested if anyone on here knows the science – particularly the extra effort expended keeping warm?

ive had to use an ashtma inhaler for this cold weather (im struggling to breathe during the nite…. 😥
do wrap up : its awfully chilly out there

Am I the only one who has a few issues with the first couple of runs / rides in winter coughing and irritated throat afterwards but then this goes away ??

I posted about this a few days back. Cold muscles has to be the biggest problem. Especially if you’re a bit under dressed and the old bod has to work harder to stay warm.
Being trussed up I doubt helps much either.

I actually find it easier in this weather. The summer heat/sweat just makes me feel drained.