It really is harder to ride in the winter

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Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • March 18, 2013 at 12:57 pm #965022
    dasgeh
    Participant

    Like (i.e. thank you for making me feel like I’m not just a wimp in the winter)

    March 18, 2013 at 1:00 pm #965023
    Terpfan
    Participant

    I’m also convinced the drag at Gravely Point is stronger in the winter than the summer. Perhaps it’s solely because in the summer I’m distracted by the five gazillion people there whereas in the winter it’s less people than I can count on my hand.

    March 18, 2013 at 1:44 pm #965034
    Dickie
    Participant

    Cool article, thanks for posting! I would also hazard a guess that the 5 pounds of sweaty winter apparel contributes to our extra effort…. that and the basic human habit of putting on blubber in the winter!

    March 18, 2013 at 2:06 pm #965046
    cephas
    Participant

    Hmmm, seems like none of these scientists are local. 50% humidity average in the summer????? Have they heard of Northern Virginia humidity?? I should think it legendary, but alas, it shows how far off the beaten (scientific) path we are! I’d guess we average 78.3% humidity. during a good summer. Also, vasoconstriction is only a factor while warming up. Once warm, it shouldn’t factor any longer.

    March 18, 2013 at 3:02 pm #965051
    bobco85
    Participant

    @cephas 46698 wrote:

    Hmmm, seems like none of these scientists are local. 50% humidity average in the summer????? Have they heard of Northern Virginia humidity?? I should think it legendary, but alas, it shows how far off the beaten (scientific) path we are! I’d guess we average 78.3% humidity. during a good summer. Also, vasoconstriction is only a factor while warming up. Once warm, it shouldn’t factor any longer.

    I agree. Around here, before heading out on your bike during winter the 3 things you focus on are 1) temperature, 2) wind chill, and 3) precipitation, whereas during summer the 3 things are 1) temperature, 2) humidity, and 3) air quality index (sometimes a 4th for crazy awesome summer thunderstorms).

    March 18, 2013 at 3:20 pm #965055
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    @cephas 46698 wrote:

    Hmmm, seems like none of these scientists are local. 50% humidity average in the summer????? Have they heard of Northern Virginia humidity?? I should think it legendary, but alas, it shows how far off the beaten (scientific) path we are! I’d guess we average 78.3% humidity. during a good summer. Also, vasoconstriction is only a factor while warming up. Once warm, it shouldn’t factor any longer.

    Actually, the average relative humidity in DC is not remarkably high compared to other cities. Generally speaking, as the temperature rises, the relative humidity actually goes down because warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. So because relative humidity is really just a ratio of moisture levels to temperature, our relative humidity levels here on paper don’t look much different than cities that have cooler temps. So on the hottest, most miserable days here, the relative humidity may be sitting in the 50s in the middle of the afternoon (it’d be higher in the morning due to cooler temps). The real eye-opener for me was spending August in India (not only summer, but the tail end of monsoon season as well)…after that, I’ll never complain about DC heat/humidity ever again.

    March 18, 2013 at 4:13 pm #965062
    mstone
    Participant

    Data! http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/avgrh.html

    March 19, 2013 at 1:16 pm #965120
    pfunkallstar
    Participant

    @bobco85 46704 wrote:

    I agree. Around here, before heading out on your bike during winter the 3 things you focus on are 1) temperature, 2) wind chill, and 3) precipitation, whereas during summer the 3 things are 1) temperature, 2) humidity, and 3) air quality index (sometimes a 4th for crazy awesome summer thunderstorms).

    Not to introduce too much chaos – but 5) tourists.

    March 19, 2013 at 1:49 pm #965126
    americancyclo
    Participant

    I’m willing to bet my moose mitts add a fair amount of drag as well.

    March 19, 2013 at 6:10 pm #965173
    PeteD
    Participant

    Also, riding in the cold probably contributes more to weight loss than riding in the warmth.

    http://www.wired.com/playbook/2013/02/ff-cold-weight-loss/all/

    March 19, 2013 at 11:49 pm #965205
    KelOnWheels
    Participant

    @PeteD 46830 wrote:

    Also, riding in the cold probably contributes more to weight loss than riding in the warmth.

    http://www.wired.com/playbook/2013/02/ff-cold-weight-loss/all/

    Only if you can ride faster than you can eat ;)

    March 20, 2013 at 12:43 am #965212
    PotomacCyclist
    Participant

    The past two winters, I’ve put on some weight. Last spring and summer, I lost all of the extra winter weight plus a little more. Then I put some back on this winter. I’ve started dropping down again a little. But I probably won’t make the bigger losses until the weather gets a lot warmer.

    I think next winter, I’ll have to be more careful about not putting on weight. Maybe a lb. or two, but not 5 to 8 lbs.

    March 20, 2013 at 1:06 pm #965226
    Tim Kelley
    Participant

    I find that I can lose weight easier during the winter because I have more control over my appetite due to reduced caloric expenditures.

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