General Cycling Discussion - March Winds

Anybody else getting tired of fighting the wind?
It seems like every time I takeoff on a ride the wind picks up and somehow I fight a headwind in every direction I go :) As the self proclaimed 'Worlds Worst Cyclist' even the crosswinds are a MoFo!
Two weeks ago I read a thread about riding in a 50 mph wind and I thought "You would be crazy to do that!. I checked the weather from 3 different sources; 52 degrees, gusts to 14 mph. So I takeoff on my ride, the wind picks up , next thing I know the headwinds almost slow me to a trackstand. When I got home and checked the weather again and its gusts to 34 mph! Today the weather forcast was ; sunny, 55 degrees, 7 mph winds. Once again the wind picked up, clouds rolled in and luckily I cut my 50 miler to a 30 because it starded raining as I pulled into my driveway.Those weathermen have a strange sense of humor

:p

On windy days I plan it so I ride into the wind on the first half of the ride. That way I get the benefit of the tailwind when I am getting tired. Starting into a headwind also helps prevent the tendency to ride too far before turning back.

Another nice thing about morning rides is that the wind generally picks up in the afternoon so the headwinds are often less than the tailwinds!

On windy days I plan it so I ride into the wind on the first half of the ride. That way I get the benefit of the tailwind when I am getting tired. Starting into a headwind also helps prevent the tendency to ride too far before turning back.


Amen. It is all relative however. I used to hate wind until I tried cold. I rode nearly every day through snow, ice, extreme cold this winter. Wind is not that big of a deal. Cold wind is. Most of those in the Winter Cycling forum will tell you that a warm wind is a lot like a warm shower. It feels great.

ONe of the biggest obtacles to overcome is the mind when it comes to wind. Often we measure our success by how far and how fast we are going. That is so very wrong. Success is being on the bike and riding. Don't worry about your speed. Also remember to spin. Shift down to a comfortable gear and just spin. Who cares how fast you are going? If you look at the ground, you are moving, and that is a good thing.

Lousy Smarch weather!

D'oh!

Yes I am certainly sick of winds, about 10 days continuos strong wind in this area.

The colder winter winds are more delibitating because they are heavier winds, meaning they are more Moisture laden , a similiar wind in the Summer months is not nearly so bad, it is much dryer......

There is a great ride rite outside my door I head into the wind then drop down ito a valley to a river. The valley has tree coverage and steep banks on the sides that protect a good portion of the head wind. Then on the way back all up hill and open farm land the wind sails you rite along. It's great just chugging along easily doing the speed limit :)

It's not just March that is windy here in DE. Though primarily flat, most of the state has water on both sides and no wind breaks to speak of. I prefer a headwind on the start of the ride and a tailwind on the return. Doesn't always work out that way...

Oh Man! I know exactly what your talking about. The wind down south is killer for me. Next month we have to deal with April Showers.