Cycling against the wind..........

[ray316]

Crikey made hard work of a bike ride today, did'nt think it was that windy but when l hit the countryside l was cycling against the wind and my speed dropped right down...
l had to go into a easy gear as l did'nt seem to be moving, so has anyone got any tips/advice on cycling in these conditions. Also will you burn more calories cycling in these conditions..

 

[snorri]

l had to go into a easy gear as l did'nt seem to be moving, so has anyone got any tips/advice on cycling in these conditions. Also will you burn more calories cycling in these conditions..

I think you've cracked it ray, just select the easy gear and plod along. The only tip might be, take care as the wind noise will prevent you hearing any motor traffic around you.
Regarding calories, pedalling against the wind increases your weekly cake allowance.

 

[blubb]

You could try to swear and curse the wind, always helps me getting a bit faster.

 

[tradesecrets]

cycling against the wind you should try ... heading along argyle street towards Anderson underground some days that street is like a wind tunnel the westerly wind is unreal at times

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I remember heading west on the mass Skyride thingy was pretty windy at times, but I'll have to head to Argyle street now just to 'feel the burn!'.
Actually, it might be later if I get my arse in gear and investigate what is happening with the Clyde Tunnel these days.

I was doing an early morning (started off at 03.45) training run the other day and there was a strong crosswind. I still plodded along regardless and by the time I was heading home, all knackered, I saw all you cycle commuters starting to appear, whizzing past me, dressed like gay superheros

 

[asterix]

Being quite heavy for a fit cyclist I am all too often passed on hill climbs by the whippets. Cycling into a strong headwind on the flat is payback time!

 

[Chrisz]

Being quite heavy for a fit cyclist I am all too often passed on hill climbs by the whippets. Cycling into a strong headwind on the flat is payback time!

+1 I also find that long drags give me a bit of payback on the skeletal whippets too

 

[ray316]

Being quite heavy for a fit cyclist I am all too often passed on hill climbs by the whippets. Cycling into a strong headwind on the flat is payback time!

The thing is , when it's windy and l'm cycling against the wind l presume sooner or later l will have the wind behind me and assist me along at megga speeds but l seem to never get the wind behind me ....oh well roll on summer and our hot sunny 30 degree's wind free days

 

[corshamjim]

Obviously this one isn't always applicable, but look for an alternative route which has trees or hedges which can break up the wind a fair bit.

Also I sometimes find I'm concentrating so much on fighting a headwind I forget to take a break, eat something and drink properly.

 

[GrasB]

Get as low as possible & drive through the wind trying to keep the cadence up. People have a habit of allowing their cadence to drop when going into a headwind & this generally means that you're going to burn out earlier.

As for this climbing thing... at the end of the day for us mere mortals it takes a really steep hill until it's about power to weight.

 

[summerdays]

I always know its quite windy when they mention speed restrictions on the Severn Bridge and very windy if they actually shut it. It's only on speed restrictions today. I don't know which is worst ... head winds that mean you have to pedal down hill or cross winds especially when they are gusty, probably the latter for the extra danger it involves.

 

[billy1561]

Strong westerly's yesterday on my commute in meant i whizzed along with barely any effort. Coming back was an effort even though the wind had dropped a bit.

Whenever i take a general ride out i head into the wind first so that there is some ease on the way back

 

[MarkF]

Not going out, could hardly walk back from the school trip!

 

[BSRU]

Had a 20 minute fight into the strong gusty wind this morning, hard work even down hill.
Luckily the last two minutes the wind ended up behind me and it felt like I was flying without having to put any effort in.
The return journey should be interesting if the wind is as strong.

 

[Arch]

Had a 20 minute fight into the strong gusty wind this morning, hard work even down hill.
Luckily the last two minutes the wind ended up behind me and it felt like I was flying without having to put any effort in.

Having had the wind in my face all the way in, and having been very nearly blown to a standstill at one point (I actually started to put my foot out to save myself), and almost been blown over sideways while standing astride the bike waiting to cross a road, I found I had a tailwind for a whole 5 metres in the industrial estate....