tntyz

I'm wearing 2+ layers of clothing on my legs when it's that cold. Pushing against that resistance is definitely noticeable. Also, my nose runs when it's cold and my snot-rocket position is not as aero, so there's that.

Thomas15

Last winter I rode outside 2 or 3 times total. I really do not like the cold.

I have been telling myself since Spring that I wouldn't ride outside this year once the temp dropped into the 40s. Just ride on a trainer and be content. However I'm going ahead and don't know why but I'm putting together a insulated set of kit to try to get out at least once a week as long as the roads don't have ice or snow and it's not colder than 20 deg F. Just need a pair of gloves to complete my kit. I do have a pair of those toe covers and they work ok when you place a hot pack in them.

wphamilton

I am convinced that there are physiological reasons also. At least for some of us (me). Capillaries constricted, muscles are tight, lungs don't work as well, extra work to keep warm, maybe some endocrine differences. Maybe lower light levels psych me out. But I'm certain that I'm just physically slower when it's colder.

Flip Flop Rider

plus the faster you ride, the more the wind chill. I will intentionally ride slower sometimes

y0x8

20F This heat

rsbob 

A couple of thoughts. You could have been low on calories which made you feel fatigued. A better thought is that you were suffering from mild hypothermia. Sleepiness and lethargy are classic symptoms. As a downhill skier for many years, I can attest to the effects of cold on performance as well as outbreaks of yawning in the middle of the day. You may want to try bundling up more, focusing on your head and neck and buying those ferrous oxide toe warmers skiers use. If that fails, you might want to talk to your doctor.

deacon mark

I have Raynaud's Syndrome. Had it all my life and my hands can get cold in middle of the summer. They are always ice cold but other than that it does not bother me at all. I don't have some of the swelling and other things some people get with it. To me it is just an inconvenience and not great in the cold. Riding a bike interestingly enough I manage a generate enough heat to stay warm my hand do fine but my feet start to go numb in the winter. The one benefit of Raynoud's is I tolerate the heat very well. I am probably one of the few people who ride intensely on my indoor trainer with no fan. I can ride hard for 2 hours in a pool of sweat and it does not bother me at all not fan on the bike. I do this running on the treadmill too. Food is probably an issue since I never eat during a ride of less than 75 miles.

cutdbeard

Tried rising during winter and never did it again. I placed some heat pads that re so popular in japan or korea and placed it all over my body and that helped but it just lasted for 20 minutes. So maybe you could also purchase those heat pads from japan just not sure where to get it here in the states.

CargoDane

Better clothing will help more than heating pads placed at random "all over".

bargeon

Not me. Too much pain.

travelerman

The coldest temp at which I will ride intentionally is 40 F - and it needs to be sunny and not stupid-windy.

If I paid for a charity or organized ride, or made a promise to someone I would absolutely be there, then I might go colder, but it hasn't happened yet.

I will take 90 degrees with 30-40% humidity over 30-40 degrees ANY day.

Wanderer

I don't mind cold; and yes, I do get slowed down by it!

But I don't do ice or snow, since my visit to the ER for stitches in my face!

deacon mark

No ice for me I did that one time and to the dr for 3 screws in my left hip. I was lucky not a displaced fracture healed pretty fast and some have to have hip replacement if does not heal right.

OldsCOOL

So far, our temps at my evening ride time is around 30deg. When temps drop to 20 or lower, that requires a different (more bulky) level of clothing. Why is it so tiring? Some of my comments reinforce what others have added.
-My bike (vintage Trek Antelope 830) weighs 27#
-Tires have crazy rolling resistance
-snow adds to the rolling resistance
-I wear jeans and longjohns (yes, you read right) double resistance
-overall bulk of clothing adds pounds of ride weight

What’s the result? A good stiff workout in half the distance in the same time, basically. Yes, it is humbling and very similar to doing a ride in constant headwind every ride. In the spring when I throw a leg over my Cannondale Criterium for a vibrant road course, it all pays off.

rsbob 

You guys are a hearty lot. For road biking, I’m out at below 40*. Commuted for three years down to the 20s and that was enough. If it snows I’ll get on my mtn bike and head out for an hour or two, and that’s plenty of work/fun.

Hats off to all y’all.

gthomson

Ok, so I have gloves, have lots of layers to pile on, have fleece long johns that I can wear under wind pants, have a wet dry running cap I can wear under my helmet, all the things I would wear to cross country ski but what do I do to protect my face? I went out on the weekend for a really short ride and the temperatures weren't too bad (just above freezing) and it wasn't that windy but because I was moving I could really feel it on my face. This is something I don't worry about cross country skiing (don't go that fast) but could be a game changer on whether to go out riding.

y0x8

JohnJ80

I live and ride in Minnesota and I’m a ski patroller all winter so I spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold down to -35F or so.

Two things:
1. You acclimate and get used to it. You fell cold the first time at 30F. Then the next time it’s not so bad. By spring, you get hot at 30. The first time it’s -20F I go out skiing all day and after that everything is easy. Same applies to cycling vis a vis acclimating.

2. Buffs or something similar. I have a whole drawer full of them. I use them starting at 40F and for the rest of the winter.

Wildwood 

I don’t take a bike ride in snow or ice, tho I can take a short little jaunt on my mtn bike.

Feet have always been my prob below 45*f.
Took the matter in hand this year.
Should keep the wet and road silt at bay, too.

In th mail today.

y0x8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLhGd_mehys

rsbob 

One thing about winter riding in the countryside; I feel less safe. The roads are usually wet and shaded with leaves or downed branches. Visibility sucks with the sun so low on the horizon and feel more vulnerable to blinded drivers. don’t like riding below 40*. Am just a big wimpy whiner.

BUT, when it snows, I happily jump on my mtn bike because it is trails only.

5 mph

I am a new rider but I am in deep. I haven't missed a single day since early March of this year. I ride 20 miles a day and I am really addicted and get antsy about noon if I haven't ridden yet. It doesn't get real cold out here in the Pacific Northwest but what it does do is rain tons and tons and the temperature gets to the high 30's. So you end up with cold soaked feet and sometimes they are so numb , they hurt and you have to warm them up slowly in a tub of water when you are done.
Also I haven't run into ice yet but it's a definite possibility. What do you do then? I suspect I will walk.

5 mph

I am a new rider but I am in deep. I haven't missed a single day since early March of this year. I ride 20 miles a day and I am really addicted and get antsy about noon if I haven't ridden yet. It doesn't get real cold out here in the Pacific Northwest but what it does do is rain tons and tons and lately the temperature drops to the high 30's. At times it's a pleasant feeling as long as you have a tight nylon jacket on but unfortunately there isn't much you can do for your shoes. Unless you want to wear ridiculous 5 pound mountain climbing boots, you will always end up with cold soaked feet and sometimes they are so numb , they hurt and you have to warm them up slowly in a tub of warm water when you are done.
Also I haven't run into ice yet but it's a definite possibility. What do you do then? I suspect I will walk.

tsl

Studded snow tires. I run these--45NRTH Studded Commuter Tires. The Gravdals on my Portland, and the Kahvas on my Talon.

Possibly not worth it in the PNW. Depends on how much snow and ice you get, and how determined you are to get out in it.

My first year could be summarized about the same as yours, and I planned to walk the winter. Then the LBS turned me on to studs. No walking, 15 winters later.

5 mph

Thanks. I walked 5 miles a day for a month after I gave up running because my knees were aging. Boy that was so boring and I disliked it
Thank goodness I discovered Bicycling. For me, walking was not enjoyable.