Road Cycling - Wind

I am relatively new to cycling (started last August). Where I ride, there are no hills, but we often have strong winds. Yesterday, I rode for about 45 minutes into a 40mph wind. I am wondering how this compares to riding hills. My normal speed on flat ground with no wind is about 15mph riding with a cadence of about 95rpm & a heart rate of 130-135. During the 45 minutes of wind, my speed was 8.5mph with a cadence of 95rpm & a heart rate of 145-150. My max heart rate is 185.

I would appreciate hearing from those who are fortunate to have hills in their areas.

Thanks.

I've ridden hills in New York and the coastal winds in Florida. Give me the hills any day. As long as you are not talking Mt. Ventoux you know that the hill will end within a few hundred feet. A wind keeps going until you are forced to turn around. Where they are similiar is the rebound. There is nothing better than a good tail wind, or a good downhill.

I get hills and, especially in the spring, crazy wind. I like no wind and hills better, personally. It's completele mental, but that's my preference. With a climb, I see the grade and know where it goes after I've ridden it once. Wind is unpredictable around here where some of the best roads go through wide canyons and around the smaller hills. It's pretty impressive to be in a headwind that changes to a killer crosswind and then to a tailwind before becoming a headwind again.

Besides, I hate riding 10 miles an hour downhill into the wind.

Look on the bright side. Riding against wind, weight isn't an issue. ;)

My favorite, tailwind and down hill. Can't beat it. Of course, it always means that somewhere on the ride will be headwind and up hill.

Personally, I like headwinds. :thumbup:

I sometimes like them as a means of building your strength, etc but sometimes I could do without the headwind gusting in my face!

Originally posted by Chris L
Personally, I like headwinds. :thumbup:

With your hair style headwinds must be great for getting rid of the fleas :D :D

Andy Hampsten grew up in North Dakota and used the head winds as a training tool.

i'll take hills anyday. hills are constant, so you know and can replicate a given workout. with winds, they are varying...and if you get the gusts like we do, it is very hard to find a rhythm. and there is no such thing as a cross-hill or hill gust.

Had the occasion to ride with a group in Enid, OK for a couple of weeks two years ago. There is an Air Force training base located on the edge of town and the group I rode with liked to chuckle about the people who would be assigned to the base from Colorado and other places with lots of climbing. The reason is that this part of OK has constant winds to ride with. And these guys would blow away those of us who were used to riding hills. 15 or 20 miles into or with a stiff crosswind is much more difficult than climbing a hill. These guys were very good with the wind and I was never able to stay with them for more than about six or seven miles. And my pulls were always noticeably slower than theirs. Riding into the wind is a step above riding up hills. I'll take the hills every time, thank you.

My legs are more tired today from pushing into a headwind than sprinting up hills. Spinning is more difficult in headwinds - my speed is sacrificed.

I also prefer the hills to the wind. There is always something you can do on a hill. Get up out of the saddle, drop a gear, sit upright and grind it out. When you get up it you get the satisfaction of looking back and saying I beat it.

On the other hand with a wind you just have to knuckle down and bear it. There is nothing to focus on and no apparent end to it.

I live in CO...and where I live I can't avoid hills unless I ride my trainer in the basement. Every Friday we do a long ride out East - where it is somewhat flat...and usually windy. To be honest, I'd take a hill any day over wind. I feel as if I have more control when climbing a hill...windy rides just put me in a blah mood :-(

Thank you for the responses. I have been anticipating the day with trepidation when I ride some hilly terrain. You have given me confidence. I'll continue to attack headwinds as training for that day.

Bean Counter - Couple of clubs just north of you do hills all the time. Look at the rides listed at www.dvbc.org and www.phillybikeclub.org. Unless you are way down south these clubs would welcome your attendance and a not too long a drive away. DVBC covers the area from northen DE to Philadelphia pretty well. Usually have rides to match your needs. From hammers to casual. Wind is excellent training for hills. Enjoy!!

Originally posted by Prosody
My favorite, tailwind and down hill. Can't beat it. Of course, it always means that somewhere on the ride will be headwind and up hill.
usualy when climbing a"significant hill" you become some what sheltered from a headwind as noticed by the instant sweat (persperation for the female cyclists ;) ), but when crossing a high arched bridge over a large section of exposed water on a windy day the two negatives can just about bring you to a stand:( .when you reach the apex you sometimes have to peddle quite hard down the other side :cry:

A headwind might help you build power for level riding while riding hills gives you more arobic-anerobic fitness.

I like hills more than wind, but both drive me nuts. Lately we have had both here. When the wind picks up to it's max close to the peak it makes me want to scream. But hills sure seem easier on calm days. :D

When I saw the thread title "Wind" and that it was started by "Bean Counter" I had a whole differnt kind of discussion in mind. Those beans do it to me every time.:D

Somehow I get the idea you're trying to put the wind up us. :D