To the general public we (winter commuters) seem pretty hardcore. But if you hang around here long enough it seems perfectly normal to be riding in sub-freezing temperatures, as well as ice-covered and snow-covered roads. No biggie, right?
I remember before I started to commute by bike I felt the same way:
No way I could ride 20 km to work and back home. Done.
No way I could ride when it's so dark in the morning/evening. Done.
No way I could ride when the temperature is in the single digits. Done.
No way I could ride when it's freezing out. Done.
No way I could ride when there's snow and ice on the ground. Done.
I mean, what else is there? Heavy wind. Tornado. Hurricane.
We just have to expand our zone of comfort.