Coping with wind!

[Onthedrops]

Not talking about post Christmas dinner brussel sprout after effects!

It's been blowing a hoolie round here today. Not had the opportunity to get out and about on the bike due to family commitments. I did consider how to cope with the wind when cycling.
Being a newbie I've had no experience with riding in such conditions.

Does it create problems and require much more effort?
Previously owned motor bikes and although not much effort required effort wise, cross winds certainly did affect how the bike handled.

 

[MontyVeda]

one answer is your username... you can duck out of it by going 'on the drops' which will make a big difference.

 

[jim55]

yeah ,on the drops and more effort required!

 

[BrianEvesham]

Watch out for sidewinds, crosswinds when going past open gaps in hedges.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I am on a hybrid so can't go on the drops. I tend to just drop a gear and pedal harder.

 

[defy-one]

Try some bar ends pointing forward at 45 degrees. Then you can lean into and down . Helps with headwinds

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I'm ok with making a bit of an effort but for me cycling is about pleasure too.

There is absolutely zero pleasure for me struggling cycling in high winds. Same as my climbing activities in the mountains I'd rather give it a miss if it is very windy.

 

[Eribiste]

I have to say that I really dislike riding into a strong headwind because I find it so energy sapping and rather demoralising. Part of the reason for that is because the wind never gives up, unlike a hill, which you know will come to an end sometime, and you can enjoy the hooligan blast down the other side!
Oddly enough, I don't experience much wiggle-woggle in a side wind on a bicycle, but bikes (them with engines) are a different matter and seem to be easily unsettled by a side wind, especially when traversing a gap in a hedge or some such.

 

[mattobrien]

I tend to ride circular routes, starting and finishing at home, so if the wind is blowing I get some help and some hinderance.

I tend to save a bit of effort while riding with a tailwind and then use it when facing the headwind. On the drops helps and you can always push a bit harder.

If the wind is up, it always slows me when facing it than it helps when behind, but that's all part of the fun. I do relish the days with low wind speeds as they are the ones for a good overall average mph. That said wind can be used tactically to aid with the odd Strava segment or two.

 

[HLaB]

Looking at the met it was 32mph winds with 47mph gusts for our ride today, If I'd been on my own I'd probably turned round at the old bridge, riding in a group helps me cope.

 

[edindave]

Most of my planned rides are circular routes.
If I know it's going to be windy, I'll plan to ride out into the wind and save the tailwind for the return leg.
Then what usually happens is the wind changes direction on the way back

 

[HLaB]

Most of my planned rides are circular routes.
If I know it's going to be windy, I'll plan to ride out into the wind and save the tailwind for the return leg.
Then what usually happens is the wind changes direction on the way back

I think 90% of folk plan a ride that way except an ERC club ride ride to East Lothian

 

[edindave]

I think 90% of folk plan a ride that way except an ERC club ride ride to East Lothian

True dat! ... and that's why I always opt for the hilly route versus the standard coastal route!

Sorry! To explain for everyone else's benefit, the standard ERC club run route heads east from Edinburgh and then returns along the coast, heading west - so 99% of the time there is a headwind on the way back! (Although it's not normally gusting 50mph to be fair!)

 

[HLaB]

True dat! ... and that's why I always opt for the hilly route versus the standard coastal route!

Sorry! To explain for everyone else's benefit, the standard ERC club run route heads east from Edinburgh and then returns along the coast, heading west - so 99% of the time there is a headwind on the way back! (Although it's not normally gusting 50mph to be fair!)

I'd do similar when I used to ride with them, although sometimes my mates preferred the Coast

 

[ayceejay]

Riding in the wind can be dangerous as I discovered the other week so it pays to be cautious I think. A gusting wind coming across open fields is no fun at all.