Is the wind really a factor?

[Nearly there]

...and dont mention cross winds

A cross wind had a really good go at trying to knock me off my bike last night

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Two years ago? That was my first ever long bike ride and I almost flew the whole way.
Then, the next year (last year), the wind was in the opposite direction, a headwind, and it was so much tougher. Hoping for neither later this month and for next month's Coast and Castles. Off out tonight and am happy for it to hammer it down, as it has been for the last hour, as long as the wind doesnt pick up too much...

It was Richard.
I did it in 3:17 with a stop off for a bite and drink!.

Good luck tonight!

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

I was there that day - the side-on blast at Sleekburn blew me off the bike!

That was def one of the sections - on my roadie so nearly took the bike from under me.

 

[palinurus]

When I turned up for my first time trial (looking like a commuter and riding a flat-barred bike) there were all these riders- mostly blokes- with shaved legs and fancy kit. There was a lot of grumbling about the wind- there was a bit of a breeze that evening. I thought this was ridiculous.

Come the following season I could grumble about the wind with the best of 'em.

 

[mr_hippo]

A cyclist never has a tailwind -he/she is having a good day!

 

[Sittingduck]

It's good training

 

[BrumJim]

Headwinds slow you down, so you spend more time tackling them. Tailwinds make you go faster, so its not as long before you change direction and loose it.

 

[Brad]

Head wind and cross wind were menacing factors on my ride yesterday. Made the ride at least twice as hard as normal.

 

[lulubel]

Wind is always there - get on with the pedalling ! It's sometimes worth taking advantage of the wind direction when planning your route, especially if it's out and back, exposed or you've got some hills.

I try to do this as well, except that sometimes the wind blows in different directions at different altitudes here. So, you head out into the wind, and after you've dropped a couple of hundred feet into the valley, it's behind you, and have have to turn round and slog back uphill with it in your face.

I used to hate riding in gusty cross winds on my old road bike, but I find them quite good fun now. Maybe it's the heavy, steel forks on the Surly (as opposed to my old carbon forks) that keep the front end from flying around.

I'd rather ride in the wind than the rain.

 

[Nebulous]

I do an out and back, with one leg several hundred feet higher and more exposed than the other. I prefer going out the higher route and back the lower, but that tends to be the worst way windwise. I struggle into the prevailing wind, then come back where it is more sheltered, so get less assistance. In addition to that there is one short section which always seems to have a headwind, regardless of the wind direction.

 

[MrJamie]

Blustery wind is so much worse than sustained, when its strong enough to make you change down gears, then it stops for a few seconds and you just cant pace yourself to save your life.

 

[byegad]

You won't believe me. I'll be cast out from CycleChat and derided as a heretic. But I swear this is true...

I had a double-tailwind last week.

Rode an out-and-back that takes about an hour. The ride out was wind-assisted, so I was bracing myself for the struggle home. But when I turned around ... no headwind. This was near to Liverpool Airport and I noticed the planes had changed take-off direction too, so it wasn't just me. Presumably there was a big group of cyclists riding in the opposite direction, and the fates decided to screw them and let me off.

Easily explained. At least two CCers were riding in the opposite direction on the same route as you both times.

P.S. I'd be sure to buy a few lottery tickets or Premium bands, with luck like yours you'll win a fortune.

 

[Rob500]

...and dont mention cross winds

Indeed . I was very lucky not to take tumble at least 4 times yesterday

 

[MattHB]

I do an out and back, with one leg several hundred feet higher and more exposed than the other. I prefer going out the higher route and back the lower, but that tends to be the worst way windwise. I struggle into the prevailing wind, then come back where it is more sheltered, so get less assistance. In addition to that there is one short section which always seems to have a headwind, regardless of the wind direction.

that sounds like it would be very hard to peddle!!!!!

 

[Sandra6]

Whenever we cycle out to Gretna I always think the wind is against me, it feels like a headwind. But when I turn round to cycle home it IS a full on headwind, how is that possible?!