The colder it gets the harder it is to pedal. Is it me with colder muscles? Colder air in my lungs? Some other physical reason? Or is it mechanical? Cold-thickened oil on the chain? Thicker grease in the hub? Thicker clothes that restrict movement? Enquiring minds want to know.
Tags:
All of the above. Use a winter lube to prevent freezing.
Good summary:
For me it's less the cycling and more the recovery time, after a decent spin yesterday i was laid out for, what, 2 hours? Like I'd been hammered and all I could do was veg until I recovered enough to get up and going again.
We are not getting older, Tom, just napping more.
Some of the reasons put forth for slowness in winter are as follows:
Tandemonium said:
Good summary:
Total: 15-30%
9) Air density is inversely proportional to absolute temperature: dry air is 3.5% denser at 0C (32F) than 20C (68F).
Mike Schwab said:
- Cold Bearings and grease are stiffer and harder to turn: 1%
- You need your energy to keep warm: 0%
- Your tires are colder and therefore have greater rolling resistance +
- You tend to ride softer tires for better control on ice: 3%
- Your clothing is bulkier, making it more difficult to push your shape though the air: 5-10%
- You are dressed in heavier clothing, making that much more weight to carry: 1%
- You are dressed in heavier clothing which resists your movement making pedaling harder: 1%
- People simply don't like generating the steam-bath like atmosphere inside of winter clothing, and therefore psychologically resist working as hard as in summer: 1%
- Air Density is greater and impedes your progress through the air: 10-20%
Total: 15-30%
Which makes Winter the perfect time for a slow roll ride:
Did anyone notice that with temperatures in the 30s this afternoon/evening it was easier to pedal?
Me, me, me.
Lisa Curcio 4.1mi said:
Did anyone notice that with temperatures in the 30s this afternoon/evening it was easier to pedal?
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