Adaptive Cycling: Handcycles, Amputee Adaptation, Visual Impairment, and Other Needs - Riding one handed and cross-winds

Not much fun.

Headwinds are a constant for all riders. Set your teeth and start grinding (or find some wheels to suck :) ).

Tailwinds...What needs to be said?

Crosswinds are vexing when riding one-handed. I can lay my left arm across my flats but have no grip. My right arm fatigues from fighting to hold a line and coming off a bridge (or hill) with a strong cross-wind is no fun at all.

I can't think of much in the way of a solution but would love some ideas.

The first thing that comes to mind (bear with me, it only seems off topic) is the Rheo Knee:

http://www.ossur.com/?PageID=12702

http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?article_id=218392697

It uses a microcontroller to continually adjust resistance in the joint based on current conditions/usage.

Maybe it would be possible to make a variable steering damper that would allow real time adjustment, either using motion tracking sensors and a microcontroller, or using some form of analog input from the rider. Some type of brake you could apply to the steering would be the simplest form of this, but would leave you with another brake to operate.

Grip near the stem , and the motion of your hand will be less exaggerated
by the Buffeting and counter reaction..

More trail , the bike will feel less sporty, and responsive..
but will be more stable.

track racing motor paced the front wheel of the bike had a fork
that is bent backwards , to make a big increase in the Trail .

In a film clip for Bicycling Science, a book he wrote,
MIT Professor David Gordon Wilson
set a handlebar and pedal less bike in motion down a hill .
because the fork was backwards , it stayed up ,and went straight,

until it ran out of forward Momentum.

Interesting! Both posts actually though the 2nd response is more immediate.

Hopey makes a steering damper for mt bikes. Maybe this would help.

Some type of brake you could apply to the steering would be the simplest form of this, but would leave you with another brake to operate.

Turn a hanging front V-brake unit upside down, and add an adapter to the pads, so they grip the head tube when applied, perhaps? As you don't need much force, you could mount a 1-2 finger lever over the brake lever, so you could even operate both at the same time.

Perhaps you could try putting on an aerobar? You can lean on it to balance yourself, and you have a good grip and ability to steer. They make clip-on versions that are inexpensive.

262956