Descending in the wind/rain with traffic!

[BinBag]

I did a 48 mile round trip yesterday, and it turned out to be the toughest outing I've had to date - the weather was the issue. I saw a handful of other riders but not the usual numbers.

48 miles round trip from my house, up to Whaley Bridge, through Buxton and onto the Cat & Fiddle, then through Macc back toward Stockport. Was hit with side winds and horizontal rain up Long Lane, then torrential rain through Buxton - then, strong headwinds and rain up hill to the C&F, low cloud made it worse. Managed to get up without giving up (which I thought of!), but battled on. Then.....the descent in the wind!

I put my lights on at a well earned 2 minute break at the C&F car park, the wind wasn't in any general direction, it was just all over the place! So, not being an experienced descender, I took it easy, fearing for my life!

Has anyone got any tips, or is it just a matter of practice?

Cheers

 

[frank9755]

Mostly, yes.

Don't go faster than you are comfortable with and take primary position as default when descending at speed in traffic.

 

[BinBag]

Trouble is it felt like, because I was unsteady due to wind, that I was all over the place and almost looking indecisive which can be a nightmare for drivers - plus they were descents I hadn't ridden before.

I can't see how it gets much worse than the conditions I was riding in so I guess, like you said, it's mostly a matter of practice and chipping away at the speed counter everytime I get to a descent - I just feel that my times/average speed could be a lot better if I were to master this area.

Cheers for the reply though.

 

[fossyant]

It's a good circuit that - I often do it either way. If it's windy it's quite a challenge, especially on the descents as you get blown all over..... there is one particular bend on Long Hill, where the wind funnels up the hill side, then as you leave the trees, and hit the bend, you get blown side ways.........

Snake Pass is one of the worst hills to climb, especially from Sheffield side when there are strong headwinds....

 

[BinBag]

It's a good circuit that - I often do it either way. If it's windy it's quite a challenge, especially on the descents as you get blown all over..... there is one particular bend on Long Hill, where the wind funnels up the hill side, then as you leave the trees, and hit the bend, you get blown side ways.........

Snake Pass is one of the worst hills to climb, especially from Sheffield side when there are strong headwinds....

Yeah, it's definitely one that I'll be doing again and again - and eventually I'll set myself a target and aim to beat it. Got to master those descents though - before I started cycling, I thought they'd be the easiest area to master, but it's turned out to be the hardest for me!

 

[Philip Whiteman]

Another cautionary note is to ensure that you are riding with a decent set of wheels. The modern orthodoxy is to ride with deep carbon rims and/or aerospokes. These are undoubtedly faster but they can be challenging in cross winds and especially when undertaking winding descents when you can expect unpredictable side winds. Normal wheels are better in cross winds plus they not so rigid in cornering.

 

[frank9755]

Trouble is it felt like, because I was unsteady due to wind, that I was all over the place and almost looking indecisive which can be a nightmare for drivers

That's why it is so important to take the primary position (ie in the middle of the lane)!