Are you slow during the winter?

Gav888

Hi,

Are you generally slower during the winter compared to summer because of the extra layers and cold weather, as ive noticed my speeds are lower at the moment compared to summer last year, I would have though the extra few months of training over winter would have made me quicker not slower!?!

fastercyclist

I'd like to think so.

JimmyK

I DESPISE riding in full bib, base layer and windproof jacket during winter, give me the freedom of a jersey and shorts in the spring any time.

Pokerface

Yes - slower because of the extra layers.


But not layers of clothing. :oops:

Buckled_Rims

Extra layers don't really effect me much. However, in winter, there tends to be more wind, wetter roads to be more careful and I fuff and faff generally when it's cold. The roads around my way haven't been swept and and as a result are incredible gritty.

All this makes progress much slower.

timmjackson

Timj here
surely you loose speed during winter cos you are not at racing speed and or also you are training at lower intensity pace?not.
cheers TIMJ

bompington

Here's a list of my excuses, note that this list is not evidence based!
1. Heavier, more restrictive gear
2. Holding back a bit on dark, winding roads
3. Ditto on wet, muddy, snowy or icy roads
4. Trying to push hard while breathing freezing air
5. Not being able to see my speed - I find if I can see what my average speed is, it helps me push it a bit
6. More rides called off due to weather or any other excuse -> less training
7. Christmas pudding

I'd add the wind except that it's always against me in summer too.

phreak

http://www.icebike.org/Articles/SlowerWinter.htm

freehub

I'm deffo a good 1-2mph slower in winter, but I'm 1mph faster than last year comparing my main rides.

pianoman

1. Heavier, more restrictive gear

Possibly, I use training wheels and tyres in the winter, save the lightest ones for summer. As they say, Train Hard Fight Easy.

2. Holding back a bit on dark, winding roads
3. Ditto on wet, muddy, snowy or icy roads

Yes indeed, good opportunity to go for a run instead.

4. Trying to push hard while breathing freezing air

If the cold air catches your throat and you get a chest infection, maybe.

5. Not being able to see my speed - I find if I can see what my average speed is, it helps me push it a bit

Take your head unit into the house after every ride - let it go cold and it steams up and takes forever and a day to regain functionality.

6. More rides called off due to weather or any other excuse -> less training

Same as I said for points 2/3

7. Christmas pudding

JOIN THE CLUB :twisted:

freehub

I think the most likely cause of slowing down in winter is the air, and possibly binge eating at christmad. Apart from that I don't think much else would slow you down, I run "training tyres" all year and have used racing tyres and I see hardly any difference in speed, if anything.

Jeff Jones

phreak wrote:

http://www.icebike.org/Articles/SlowerWinter.htm

According to that it's mostly a combo of bulkier clothes (less aero) and the cold air being harder to ride though 'cos it's more dense. As well as a bunch of smaller things.

I usually have a three week break in Oz around Christmas and am shocked at how much faster it is riding there than here.

Pokerface

This might sound odd - but does anyone else find themselves going slower because their gloves are too bulky?

I went out today with dual layer gloves on - and they are quite big and bulky. Struggled to hold the bars with both layers on and bike felt really slow. Took the outer layer off and while hands were slightly colder - had much better grip and felt like I was going faster.

Is it just me?

Bhima

I am probably faster as I subconsciously try to ride more "aero" to avoid the cold and do shorter rides, which allow me to go harder. In fact, my winter clothing is even more super-tight than my summer stuff so would be an advantage.

In summer, i'll sometimes sit up completely when eating, slowing down a bit, which does not happen in winter as i've frozen to death a few times doing it. Longer rides mean I can't go fast for the duration like in winter. Although summer FEELS faster, I end up going slower overall.

Anonymous

Bhima wrote:

I am probably faster as I subconsciously try to ride more "aero" to avoid the cold and do shorter rides, which allow me to go harder. In fact, my winter clothing is even more super-tight than my summer stuff so would be an advantage.

In summer, i'll sometimes sit up completely when eating, slowing down a bit, which does not happen in winter as i've frozen to death a few times doing it. Longer rides mean I can't go fast for the duration like in winter. Although summer FEELS faster, I end up going slower overall.

We have a ghost writer, wooohhh. :twisted:

freehub

Pokerface wrote:

This might sound odd - but does anyone else find themselves going slower because their gloves are too bulky?

I went out today with dual layer gloves on - and they are quite big and bulky. Struggled to hold the bars with both layers on and bike felt really slow. Took the outer layer off and while hands were slightly colder - had much better grip and felt like I was going faster.

Is it just me?

You've got me thinking now, on my first 100+ mile ride yesterday, when we got to Bridlington in the cafe stop, I put another pair of gloves on, they where very bulky and made it slightly fiddly to hold the bars, and my performance was pretty naff after that.

Jeff Jones

Pokerface wrote:

This might sound odd - but does anyone else find themselves going slower because their gloves are too bulky?

I went out today with dual layer gloves on - and they are quite big and bulky. Struggled to hold the bars with both layers on and bike felt really slow. Took the outer layer off and while hands were slightly colder - had much better grip and felt like I was going faster.

Is it just me?

Given your hands are one of the first things to hit the wind, then it makes sense. But I'm not taking my Radiants off until it warms up a bit more!

Gav888

Jeff Jones wrote:

I usually have a three week break in Oz around Christmas and am shocked at how much faster it is riding there than here.

Not what I want to hear right now as im considering relocating to oz sometime in the future, what with watching the 'Phil Down Under' programs about oz and people on here mentioning how nice oz is, makes me want to get there sooner rather than later

suze

Same speed all year round.....slow all the time and getting slower. :shock:

redddraggon

Pokerface wrote:

This might sound odd - but does anyone else find themselves going slower because their gloves are too bulky?

I hate wearing thick gloves. I took mine off on Saturday, once the pain of it being around 1degC wore off, it was so much better riding without gloves.