Commuting - Tailwind Liar

I confess. I am a, "Tailwind Liar."

When I get a good tailwind, I just crank it up and act like I'm the reason. "Who-hoo! Look at me, folks!"

Of course, the guys riding in the opposite direction know the truth, slugging it out at sub-20, maybe even 15. But I figure the motorists don't get it. They don't pass me as often. I think they think I'm amazing or something.

Then I realized that 27 mph on the flat is peanuts to a motorist.

(Is there a law against lying to yourself?)

;)

Originally posted by Pete Clark
I confess. I am a, "Tailwind Liar."

When I get a good tailwind, I just crank it up and act like I'm the reason. "Who-hoo! Look at me, folks!"
;)

I do the same thing! And I have this naughty habit of always trying to exceed the speed limit so they REALLY think I'm amazing :D

I love a good tail wind on a slight down hill run while on a road with a fair amount of traffic. The drivers do look at you like you are amazing!:D

What about riding along near a police radar patrol unit that is checking everyone's speed? I often accelerate a little in that situation... :D

Originally posted by Chris L
What about riding along near a police radar patrol unit that is checking everyone's speed? I often accelerate a little in that situation... :D :) I always do this in the hopes of getting a speeding ticket,so I can hang it up over the fire place. This would be to cool.

Originally posted by Gojohnnygo.
:) I always do this in the hopes of getting a speeding ticket,so I can hang it up over the fire place. This would be to cool.

Unfortunately I'm yet to break 60km/h in front of one of these things.

YEha I do the same as well... there is also a downhill right next to my house.. about a 6% grade almost 1 mile long... speed limit is 50.. my goal is to break it on my bike.. been up to about 43 so far... just gotta get the sack to crank it up... man does 43 feel like 90 in a car !

Jeff

who among us does not take full
advantage of a downhill or a tail wind to really try to fly?

Originally posted by Pete Clark
I confess. I am a, "Tailwind Liar."

...

(Is there a law against lying to yourself?)

;)

I have never experienced riding with a tailwind :rolleyes:

Yup, a good tail wind is great, especialy on the way home:) I think to myself "this must be how it feels to be Lance on a bike" its only when you get the evil eye from some poor sod battleing in the opposite direction that you come back down to earth again.
Whats realy good is when you think youve got a tail wind ,cos you,r realy steaming along , only to discover that theres no wind at all !!

Ah, I do the same thing - "Wow, look how great I am".

But, OTOH, I justify myslef when I have a headwind. "Its okay you are going slow, your getting a mighty fine workout with this headwind....look - you are keeping the cadence at 100 still....

Originally posted by Pete Clark
I think they think I'm amazing or something.

I've always thought you were amazing, Pete.:D

Use Beano for tailwind.

Originally posted by threadend
I have never experienced riding with a tailwind :rolleyes:

You and me, TE. I'm the guy going the other way that Pete is talking about. I'm thinkin' "Oh, yeah? Have your fun now, but just wait 'til you turn around!"

Actually I did finally have tailwinds a couple of days last week for at least part of my commute home, and it was pretty sweet.

I experienced a pleasant surprise the other day, a tail-wind in both directions on my lunchtime ride!

Actually it was caused by all the trucks screaming by at 60 mph but the net effect was that I had some help on both the outbound and inbound portions of my ride. I stopped using that route though becuase the cost of a driver hitting me as (s)he reached for the telephone at 60 mph was too high to justify against the pleasant views. So, it's back to the road less traveled - - and more safe.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
I confess. I am a, "Tailwind Liar."

Of course, the guys riding in the opposite direction know the truth, slugging it out at sub-20, maybe even 15.

(Is there a law against lying to yourself?)
Geez, I really am a "tailwind liar!"

I rode home today in a mild 5 - 10 mph. tailwind. My average speed was about 1 mph faster than average, which is great, but...

I seem to remember still "slugging it out at sub-20."

:rolleyes:

I guess there's no law against lying to yourself, after all!

:)

Originally posted by LET
I experienced a pleasant surprise the other day, a tail-wind in both directions on my lunchtime ride!

Actually it was caused by all the trucks screaming by at 60 mph but the net effect was that I had some help on both the outbound and inbound portions of my ride...

...it's back to the road less traveled - - and more safe.
Of course! I forgot that fortuitous truck that pulled out in front of me on a downhill cruise. I tucked in behind him and almost had to brake more often than pedal. I looked at my speedo -- over 40!

:eek:

I can't tailgate anymore, it's too risky for an old man. (But it sure was fun. :fun: )

Today I was on my ride after school and was getting my @ss kicked by a 15 mph headwind and all I could think about was the ride back. Ussually I get pushed to my destination and have to ride into the wind on the way back but today I got the more favorable wind and got pushed on the ride home. On the way there I was at a crawl of about 13-14 miles an hour. I only had time for about a 20 mile ride (damned winter and getting dark at 5:30) and it took me about 45 minutes to go to the 10 mile turnaround point. Only took me 25 minutes to get back and man it was fun. I hit 34 mph on a wind assisted sprint and since I just started road riding regularly again it was quite a thrill. Worth every minute of the painful 15 mph headwind.