One appeal of winter transport cycling is that in the states where its coldest, the winter days are also shortest, so being outside just before and just after work maximizes access to what little light there is.

Indeed, since its coldest after the Solstice, there is often the solace of the lengthening days to hold onto just as the weather is doing its worst.

I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.