Commuting - vehicle headwind

I am new to commuting and it is going very well. My commute is 16 miles each way, and pretty hilly. I travel on some pretty fast roads, but they have decent shoulders and I am going against the traffic.

Great that I don't have many vehicles next to me, but there is a steady stream of cars and trucks coming the other direction in the 40-60 mph range. It seems that I'm fighting a constant evil headwind from this...is this my imagination?

If you were going with the traffic The wind would not be as bad. I've noticed that large box shaped trucks and dump trucks are the worst.

Originally posted by mikemets5
I travel on some pretty fast roads, but they have decent shoulders and I am going against the traffic.


Mike, I am glad you are up to the challenge of bike commuting. Congratulations!

I would suggest, however, that you ride with the traffic. Approaching vehicles have more time to see you and react to you. By riding against traffic, you narrow their response time drastically, while increasing the impact in a crash.

Example: bike travelling 15 mph, car passing from behind at 40 mph, car hits bike from behind, impact equivalent to 25 mph. Bike travelling 15 mph, car hits bike head on at 40 mph, impact equivalent to 55 mph.

:beer:

Pete,

sorry for the confusion, yes of course I ride on the right side of the road...what I meant with going "against traffic" was the volume/direction of the rush hour vehicles.

Can the vehicles actually make it like your riding into a 20 mph headwind, or does it just feel that way.

Well, the vehicles are displacing air, and the pressure has to go somewhere. So I suppose it's possible. But it's not a phenomenon I've ever actually experienced myself, despite having ridden quite a bit in similar circumstances. It seems to me the distance between you and the oncoming vehicles -- a lane's width or more, at least 14 or 15 feet -- is enough to mitigate most of whatever effect there would usually be.

But if you feel it, it's real. And if it consistently goes away whenever there's a break in the oncoming traffic, then that seems like pretty strong evidence. But you know, it *always* seems like there's a headwind!

The inverse effect -- being "drafted" by vehicles passing next to you in the same direction -- is very real.

RichC

Look at the tree limbs when a truck goes by - ypu bet they are creating a wind. You scared me to think of you riding against the flow of traffic not against the timing of traffic.

Joe

The way the real wind is blowing also has an influence on what you might feel.

I've almost been stopped in my tracks on quite a few occasions by the wind-wash from a semi-trailer or heavy-rigid going past at 100km/h or more in the opposite direction. It's funny, though. Sitting here writing this I am blowed if I can remember if the wash is stronger when the wind is tail or head. It also depends on how far away from your own lane the other traffic is... if it is a divided highway or not.

I do know that unless I am ready for the blast, there is some potential to pull muscles in the legs as the resistance on the pedals changes so suddenly. Pays to have a reasonably high cadence.

So yes, if you have lots of traffic going in the opposite direction on your commute, you are likely to ride into a headwind given the weather conditions are calm.

R

I've noticed this phenomenon myself quite a few times with trucks and buses. However it's never really bothered me as I like headwinds. However, it's definitely real, and there isn't really a lot you can do about it, except remember that wind and hills build character.

you LIKE headwinds???!?!:confused:

you're weird.;)

My theory for Chris' preference for headwinds: It gives him the illusion that he is moving faster than he really is :)

Originally posted by Chris L
I've noticed this phenomenon myself quite a few times with trucks and buses. However it's never really bothered me as I like headwinds. However, it's definitely real, and there isn't really a lot you can do about it, except remember that wind and hills build character.

We need a "winding you up" smilie.

We'll see when Chris gets to Tasmania about his real likes and dislikes.

R

Originally posted by Rowan
We need a "winding you up" smilie.

We'll see when Chris gets to Tasmania about his real likes and dislikes.

We will indeed. I think you've forgotten that cyclone that came near the coast back in February and saved us from running out of water. I was cruising through 70km/h headwinds on that - and taunting them... :D

BTW, did I mention that I also like rain? I'm told there might be a bit of that in store for me as well.