Road Cycling - Would you?

I am planning on taking the road bike out Sunday for a 25 mile spin. The weather forcast is for 55MPH wind gusts. If you don't ride in the wind around here, you simply don't ride. So, I'll be out there. (tilted into the wind)

So the questions is; "Would you ride?" Please explain why you would or would not.

I would not ride because 55mph wind can blow a person on a bike around quite a bit. If a 55mph gust should hit you while your riding in the street it could just knock you into the path of a car. I have ridden in high winds only because it would come up suddenly, I don't know how fast the winds blew but on occasion found my self fighting the handlebars and the bike to keep it on the road. Wind dosen't blow at 55mph or whatever speed constantly, it blows than gusts harder, and it's those gust that cause problems.

The other and perhaps main reason for not riding in the wind is because stronger winds give a me a headache that can get pounding the longer I'm in it. I remember recently I got stuck in a wind storm, shortly after that a headache started to come so I headed home (about 20 miles away) after taking 2 Excedrin's. The headache got worse and worse, by the time I was 5 miles from home I had slowed down to about 7 mph because any faster and the blood would begin to pump and the head would throb even harder with every heart beat.

I wont start a ride if the wind speeds are gusting over 30mph. However, i have been on my bike when un-expected winds hit, just slow down, hold on and keep spinning.

Personally, I would sit this one out if your are expecting 55mph gusts. The only thing you will accomplish is a nice story to tell the forum members on Monday :)

I would be worried about high profile vehicles (box trucks and vans) approaching from behind. If they get hit by a 50+mph cross wind they could easily be pushed into your path or you could be pushed into there path. :eek:

Like Joe said, Sit this one out!

I predict a huge personal best one way, and a horrible self defeat the other:D I really can't say as the only harsh wind I've ridden in around here has been ~25mph. Even so, I don't think I would trust the drivers enough to have both hands firmly planted on the steering wheel to ride in anything much higher.

I am planning on taking the road bike out Sunday for a 25 mile spin. The weather forcast is for 55MPH wind gusts. If you don't ride in the wind around her, you simply don't ride. So, I'll be out there. (tilted into the wind)

So the questions is; "Would you ride?" Please explain why you would or would not.

I'd ride. I rode on Friday night when our wind gusts were estimated at 130km/h. We also got about 5 inches of rain (some areas around here got more than 10). I actually think the wind was considerably stronger than that on Mt Wellington in Tasmania back in January. Interestingly, I felt in much less danger from drivers than I usually do. Partially because there weren't that many of them out, and those that were out didn't appear to be feeling too much complacency -- which always helps.

While those winds can blow a rider around, this is lessened if you are prepared for it. I also find it better in those conditions to push a smaller gear and spin like crazy, this helps with balance.

Myself, having the build and wind catching abilities of a semi have enough of a problem with 20-25mph winds. Especially if they are head winds.
Now if this was a straight 55 mph tail wind that could be fun. Just arrange for someone to pick you up at the end.
The others are right though I would be concerned about other vehicles.

I headed out once on a day with 45 + MPH wind gusts.
Two miles out into the wind I noticed some things that made me feel very uneasy, namely trees with limbs over the roadway and powerlines along the route. On a bike you are pretty defenseless and high winds dramaticly increase the chances of those items becoming risk factors.

Another time I was caught when an unexpected storm came through. Clutching my bike and watching things fly over my head from my position in a ditch where I took refuge when riding became impossible, I was certain when the storm would end I wouldn't be in Kansas anymore :) When the storm did finally blow over there were many very large trees uprooted nearby. That day is the only time in my life I was sure I was going to die.

If you insist on riding be considerate of your family, put the phone # for your life insurance agent on speed dial.

One of the things I like about this place is that there are people here even crazier than I am.

I ride to enjoy life.

NO!

We had a number of semi trucks and mobile homes on trailers blown over yesterday from winds which gusted to 98 mph close to the foothills. Around here, I watched as one rider tried to ride into the headwinds of about 50-60 mph. It appeared he was in one of the lower gears on his mtn bike and was barely making progress.

Just doesn't look very enjoyable.

I will take on a 25-30 mph wind, however. But 55 is just too much.

55mph is too much...

I may ride on 100kmh hi-ways, but i won't ride with 100kmh winds..

cars brake.. nature doesn't...

Not for me, thanks. 30mph winds are about my limit on the bike. I had some big winds (around 50mph) whip up on me last summer on a ride, and it was not particularly fun getting home.

I don't ride because I have to; I ride because I want to. I don't go out when I won't enjoy the conditions.

Sustained wind speeds are higher than predicted. Oh Joy. :rolleyes:


Partly Cloudy and Windy
42° F
Feels Like 30° F
Humidity 41 %
Wind Speed SW 41 mph
Wind Gusts SW 49 mph
Barometer 30.08 falling
Dewpoint 20° F
Visibility Unlimited
UV Index 0 Minimal
Sunrise 6:53 AM
Sunset 6:20 PM

Thanks to everyone for the input. Many valid points. Even some drama. (life insurance agent phone number? :rolleyes: )

Well, for me the point which I consider UNSAFE has been reached. That is when the National Weather Service issues a HIGH WIND WARNNG. (see below)



HIGH WIND WARNING

BLAINE-CASCADE-CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK-CHOUTEAU-
EASTERN GLACIER-EASTERN PONDERA-EASTERN TETON-FERGUS-HILL-
JUDITH BASIN-LIBERTY-NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT-
SOUTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT-TOOLE-
413 AM MST SUN MAR 7 2004

...HIGH WIND WARNING THROUGH MIDNIGHT FOR ALL OF NORTH CENTRAL
MONTANA AND THE HELENA VALLEY...

EXPECT STRONG WEST WINDS OVER ALL OF NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA...AND THE
HELENA VALLEY THROUGH MIDNIGHT. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO
OCCUR FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING...THROUGH THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.
EXPECT WEST WINDS OF 30 TO 45 MPH...WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 60 AND 65 MPH.
HOWEVER LOCATIONS RIGHT NEAR THE FRONT RANGE OF THE ROCKIES...IN THE
FAVORED WINDY LOCATIONS...MAY SEE WIND GUSTS BETWEEN 80 AND 90 MPH.

ADDITIONALLY...THESE STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW OR
DUST. VISIBILITIES MAY BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE HALF MILE AT
TIMES.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER
UPDATES.

$$
:rolleyes:

Tomorrow the sun will rise, and the wind will be gone, ride then instead.

I headed out once on a day with 45 + MPH wind gusts.
Two miles out into the wind I noticed some things that made me feel very uneasy, namely trees with limbs over the roadway and powerlines along the route. On a bike you are pretty defenseless and high winds dramaticly increase the chances of those items becoming risk factors.

Another time I was caught when an unexpected storm came through. Clutching my bike and watching things fly over my head from my position in a ditch where I took refuge when riding became impossible, I was certain when the storm would end I wouldn't be in Kansas anymore :) When the storm did finally blow over there were many very large trees uprooted nearby. That day is the only time in my life I was sure I was going to die.

If you insist on riding be considerate of your family, put the phone # for your life insurance agent on speed dial.

I rode home from work a couple of months ago in 50+ wind gusts a heck of a work out. But that wasn't what bothered me it was the occasional tree branch that would go whipping by as well as a lot of other debris. If you don't have to, stay home.

I would wait....unless of course the wind will behind you the whole time :) I dont' like riding with heavy winds for fear of falling over into traffic or other riders.

I'd ride, wouldn't get very far quickly but I'd ride.
(but I'd love that tailwind).

Marty

I'd say up to 20 or so, I'll ride in the country (prairie). Over that and I'm heading to do some laps around the lake with a little wind protection. Over 30 and I'm usually doing something else.

I reallly don't care for those huge gusts when going into the wind meeting a big truck, or crosswinds blowing across the road with traffic.

Definitely not! Yesterday, we had gusts up to 30 mph. I was fine while riding, constantly having to keep a firm hold on. I stopped to eat a snack and all of a sudden, a gust of wind came and almost blew me over while standing!

NO! :eek:

I wouldn't ride for a very simple reason. It would suck. I have ridden in some pretty stiff winds and 30 MPH one day is not the same as 30MPH another. There are a lot of variables, not the least of which is temperature. Also it depends on where you ride. I have one particular route in which a West wind (rare) is almost a non factor. The N/S road is almost completely lined with trees, farmsteads etc. on the West side of the road.

I noticed this a couple weeks back when we had a west wind. I never thought i would defeat the wind but that day i did for the most part. Also i think enjoyment should be part of a bike ride. IF the weather is not condusive to enjoyment than forget it. I rode through some pretty cold stuff this winter just because i didn't want to stay off the bike for 6 months. And as you are aware, winter riding CAN be fun a lot of that depends on the wind as well.

blah, blah, blah...

Just make sure you keep going north east mate! Would love to encounter a 55 mph headwind. I'd turn a 53/11 and go like the clappers for as long as possible. Would be fantastic for speed training.
Have ridden against some incredibly strong winds in the Pyrennean foothills and also encountered the notorious Mistral wind in Provence when it was virtually impossible to keep riding. Irritating at the time but looking back on it...:)

Its amazing the difference a day can make!

68° F
Feels Like 68° F
Humidity 26 %
Wind Speed W 8 mph
Wind Gusts N/A
Barometer 30.36 steady
Dewpoint 32° F
Visibility Unlimited
UV Index 2 Minimal
Sunrise 6:51 AM
Sunset 6:21 PM