When is it too windy?

[MickeyBlueEyes]

Anything over a constant 25-30mph or 50mph gusts I think is verging on too windy.

 

[beanzontoast]

Well, there are fence panels whose dimensional integrity has been well and truly compromised around where we live. That and bins blown over, plastic drain covers mysteriously transported to the other side of the road, inflatable Santa's no longer waving cheerily from atop houses and offices nearby...

That's enough of a clue for me.

 

[JoeyB]

Its too windy when you start going backwards.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Headwinds and tailwinds are largely irrelevant. Crosswinds are the killers, quite literally. If the crosswind makes it hard for you to hold a line (especially when riding past gaps/gates in hedgerows, then it's too windy.

 

[BrynCP]

Headwinds and tailwinds are largely irrelevant. Crosswinds are the killers, quite literally. If the crosswind makes it hard for you to hold a line (especially when riding past gaps/gates in hedgerows, then it's too windy.

I find a crosswind easier to deal with? Maybe it's my combined weight but I've never been physically blown to the side. Saying that, I do stick to deserted roads and/or shared paths, so maybe I just don't think about it.

Headwinds make me drop to a snail's pace, literally, and make me question what am I doing when I could be at home in the warmth!

 

[sutts]

I was so glad to turn around today after 12 miles in the direct headwind! I think I broke the land-speed record on the way back.

 

[ayceejay]

I think that is lovely but when it happens the other way round it sutts. Have you ever been unaware of the wind but super aware of your fitness and the ease of attaining speed only to turn a corner and meet reality? Me too.

 

[50000tears]

Headwinds and tailwinds are largely irrelevant. Crosswinds are the killers, quite literally. If the crosswind makes it hard for you to hold a line (especially when riding past gaps/gates in hedgerows, then it's too windy.

Agree 100%. Couple weeks back with 20-25mph+ wind and by far the worst part was once I hit the highest point of the route and had what is normally a 30-40mph decent. This day I was reduced by the cross/head wind to just over 20mph and was getting blown towards the curb when it gusted. I took the lane as I would do anyway on that decent. Still don't know whether the motorist beeping behind me half way down before overtaking me was just letting me know he was there or expecting me to move over. Was glad when I got to the bottom though.

Generally speaking though I am happy in winds of that strength but will take more care not to go to such exposed areas in strong winds again.

 

[sutts]

I think that is lovely but when it happens the other way round it sutts. Have you ever been unaware of the wind but super aware of your fitness and the ease of attaining speed only to turn a corner and meet reality? Me too.

Lol, oh yes! I really hate those days when the wind seems to come from every direction too!

 

[snorri]

While more weight may make the bike less likely to be affected by side winds, there tends to be a relationship between weight and windage and it's the windage that causes the instability in side winds, I think. The only time that I have found myself lying in a ditch with my bike beside me due to a side gust I was in touring mode with four panniers and more luggage on my rack.

 

[Exile]

Today was too windy for me to ride for fun. We had winds gusting regularly between 30 and 40 mph, and even reached near 50mph, which is just too strong for a fat 'un like me to be cycling it (I present quite a lot of 'surface area' ). I would probably brave winds like today for urgent things like groceries, appointments and such like, but leisure cycling is right out. Still, there were a few riders out on the MTB trails locally, so at least a few people were happy to be out in it.

The main problem with strong winds, and especially the stronger gusts, is the crosswind. As others have mentioned, a crosswind from a side road or between hedges/wall can send you off course very quick and leave you in a really nasty situation. I've been blown almost out of my lane before now, and it's not nice on a quiet road, let alone anything else. As horrible as riding into a headwind can be, and as much as we can moan about it, it's not going to blow you into traffic or off the road.

 

[KateK]

Hmm, went out yesterday with winds round 20 mph and much stronger gusts. First hour was definitely a bit taxing, crosswinds through hedge openings and from passing lorries. I kept to quieter roads, definitely not the weather to be driving with traffic shooting past. Had to divert up a hill to avoid floods. Managed to avoid coming off on 3 inch high gravel from field run off. Right after the bottom of a hill too. Should have remembered it from last week, but was pedalling along thinking. Now Where was that large patch of uneven....whoa...oo..ooo...oooo..