what exactly happens when you depress the clutch pedal

what exactly happens when you depress the GEAR SHIFT LEVER

I'm having some trouble #1 correctly explaining the failure mode and #2 understanding what the new mechanic is telling me regarding my December downshift problem. The reason is I really don't completely understand how the clutch system works-
anyway, they've had the bike for a couple of weeks now and because this dealer is new to Triumph, the mechanic is working closely with Triumph GA, which is good, but slowing things considerably. I don't care really, I just want things taken care of, and so far I really like the attitude this guy has towards the task(s) at hand. They're looking at the paint can rattle too, which the bike has had thruout its 25K life. But back to the clutch, my problem was about halfway thru a 4+ hour ride in very cold temps (probably mid to upper 20's with a winter storm coming in, wet air) I lost the ability to downshift below 4th. Finally at the end of the ride I discovered I could downshift if I was on a decline and I let the engine slow the bike some before disengaging the clutch to downshift- in that event, it acted normally. I should say that the clutch cable appeared to be adjusted properly. The clutch itself disengaged and engaged normally. But when either freewheeling or at a standstill with the clutch disengaged, my foot pressing down on the clutch pedal full travel met with no resistance, no sound and no shifting.
Now what the mechanic is getting from Triumph is that if it's cold and the engine's hot, the plates can stick together. He says he sees no apparent issues and has asked about oil, etc... Because I don't really get how the whole deal works, I don't know if this makes sense or not. If the plates stick together does that mean the pedal would just go up and down with no resistance like that during the freewheel? And how come it's different when you're shifting UP thru the gears, which I had no problem at all with on that ride?
I have to admit, I never considered power shifting until I read about it here. Would that have bypassed the problem if it was clutch plates sticking together?

I'm definitely not the best to help you out on this but there are many others that have had problems that sound similar to yours.

The "clutch pedal" that you are referring to is actually called a "gear shift lever". The clutch "pedal", as you know, is mounted to your left hand. It performs the same function as the clutch "pedal" in a car.

The gear shift lever performs the same function as the shifter in a car. It moves the transmission from one gear to another.

The explanation for your cold weather shifting problem sounds a little fishy to me. Our true gearheads on this board should be able to better comment.

..."The "clutch pedal" that you are referring to is actually called a "gear shift lever". The clutch "pedal", as you know, is mounted to your left hand. It performs the same function as the clutch "pedal" in a car.

The gear shift lever performs the same function as the shifter in a car. It moves the transmission from one gear to another."...

Yes, that's what I meant to say. Brain not fully engaged.

I supposed I should've tried it again after that DEC ride to see if ambient T was the issue, but I did not want to take it out of first in case I couldn't get it back in again, since loading it on the trailer would've been very difficult in that case.
I did have it in and out of first (to nuetral) a few times, to clean it up before hauling it down there, and to load it... and of course no problem there.

All wet clutches drag to a certain extent, it's the result of the oil film between the paltes and when it's cold out, your viscosity (thickness) is much greater until the engine warms the oil.

That could be what you experience.

If you have a clutch pedal, you don't have a motorcycle ehough my old Cushman had a pedal.........

Going on 3 weeks, dealer still looking... Bike has 25K miles and has never done what it did on that december ride- and it's seen plenty of cold weather. Plus, it didn't start until I was halfway thru the ride, the oil was as warm as it was gonna be. It didn't drag anywhere except when in 4th attempting to downshift, and I wouldn't say drag but rather it simply did not respond at all- the GEAR SHIFT LEVER did nothing but go up and down when in 4th gear trying to downshift (except as I indicated, when I let the engine decelerate the bike on a decline before attempting to downshift - then it worked). And only in that case, too - everything was working normally going up thru the gears, or downshifting from 3rd if I'd gone no higher. Man, I hope the dealer doesn't end up telling me the same thing, but I'll just bet that's what I'm going to get from all this. Won't make me feel too much like taking any long trips on it that's for sure.