cycling into a head wind

[Herbie]

Is cycling into a strong head wind for miles and miles ( I did that today) just as beneficial for fitness as going up steepish inclines for short distances?

 

[marzjennings]

Increased effort is increased effort whether it's into the wind, climbing a hill or riding faster. All good stuff. Sounds like you increased your power output to overcome the wind. Is this a route you ride regularly? Imagine riding the same route with no wind, but at the same level of intensity and power output. How much faster would you go than normal?

 

[Rob3rt]

In short, no.

To elaborate, both are beneficial but both offer different training benefits. Going up short steep hills are likely to be done at a higher intensity for the shorter duration. Riding into a headwind will be of a lesser intensity but for a longer duration. Considering the most similar training sessions to these real world examples, riding up a short incline that is steep is likely to be similar to a 3-5 minute VO2 max effort, riding into a head wind (making the assumption that you increased effort rather than maintained effort and accepted the drop in speed) is likely to be more like a high tempo/low threshold i.e. sweetspot session.

 

[montage]

Riding at 85% of your maximum power into a headwind will be just as good as riding at 85% of your maximum power into a hill.
It all depends on intensities.
Riding into a headwind would be closer to simulating a long climb

 

[fossyant]

PS you should also be riding just as hard with a tail wind ! Take advantage of the speed gain. Cruising along is not alowed !

 

[fossyant]

It's not the same - Robert's right. You should also ride up hill into a howling gale also. That's a test !

 

[VamP]

Headwind is a useful substitute for long hills for those of us unlucky enough to live in the flatlands. Especially for L4 training as it makes a steady power output easier to achieve.

 

[Herbie]

Increased effort is increased effort whether it's into the wind, climbing a hill or riding faster. All good stuff. Sounds like you increased your power output to overcome the wind. Is this a route you ride regularly? Imagine riding the same route with no wind, but at the same level of intensity and power output. How much faster would you go than normal?

Its an 18 mile route than I can normally do easily in an hour or so (on a good day) but it took me about 15 minutes longer.I had to pedal quite hard even on the downhill bits which is something that always annoys me.The reason i'm asking this is I've entered the Bealach Beag which is only a few weeks away and haven't really tackled much climbs but hopefully will have time to get some in beforehand. I've heard its a very hilly route...I was just curious about the headwind/fitness thing...thanks for your input

 

[compo]

The weather forecast today was for south westerly winds yet travelling due north into a head wind I think they got it wrong. Even though I am losing weight I am still the wrong shape to butt through the wind. I just treat it as an increased effort training ride.

 

[mcshroom]

It's not the same - Robert's right. You should also ride up hill into a howling gale also. That's a test !

Add in pouring rain and you've just described me on the Cairnwell Pass on Sunday. All it seems to have done is leave me knackered.

 

[Ningishzidda]

In short, no.

To elaborate, both are beneficial but both offer different training benefits. Going up short steep hills are likely to be done at a higher intensity for the shorter duration. Riding into a headwind will be of a lesser intensity but for a longer duration. Considering the most similar training sessions to these real world examples, riding up a short incline that is steep is likely to be similar to a 3-5 minute VO2 max effort, riding into a head wind (making the assumption that you increased effort rather than maintained effort and accepted the drop in speed) is likely to be more like a high tempo/low threshold i.e. sweetspot session.

What Rob3rt is trying to say is riding up a steep hill depletes glycogen at a higher rate than riding into a headwind.
When your glycogen is depleted, it will be the same.

 

[VamP]

What Rob3rt is trying to say is riding up a steep hill depletes glycogen at a higher rate than riding into a headwind.
When your glycogen is depleted, it will be the same.

That is definitely NOT what he is saying. That doesn't even make any sense.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

That is definitely NOT what he is saying. That doesn't even make any sense.

I see you've met the forum idiot.

 

[Garz]

Its an 18 mile route than I can normally do easily in an hour or so

If you can ride at 18mph average then your no slouch. However no hills in practice makes terrible practice for a hilly sportive no matter what way you look at it!

 

[Herbie]

If you can ride at 18mph average then your no slouch. However no hills in practice makes terrible practice for a hilly sportive no matter what way you look at it!

Hi Garz. I was out again today and did a longer route but with some hilly bits included.Again it was quite windy but got round ok and feel ok.Forgot to mention that everytime i'm out for runs just now I wear my Reebok weighted vest which adds on an extra 20 pounds.. Folk think i'm nuts to wear it but its a great training aid and good for shedding a few pounds. Of course it'll be off when I do my Sportive so i'll feel lighter on the bike. Anyway I've heard the sportive I've entered is pretty hilly and hopefully getting off to push will be kept to a minimum.I'll be pleased to just round and not be last.