View Single Post
Old 03-14-10 | 06:56 PM
  #14  
merlinextraligh's Avatar
merlinextraligh
pan y agua
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,809
Likes: 1,232
From: Jacksonville

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Originally Posted by Uni-Vibe
No.

Problem is the time differential. Let's say you have a straight out and back route. Wind's blowing 20mph steady in your face on the way out. So you're grinding away at burn threshold and you're only going 14 mph.

Now you reach the turnaround and suddenly you can go 28 mph with very little effort.

But it doesn't compensate. The reason is that you spent twice as long grinding into the wind as you do getting a big boost on the way in.

Make mine a calm day for riding.
It's worse than that, because the time issue is only half the problem.

The other half is a matter of vectors. Because you're moving forward, for most wind speed and most riding speeds, any crosswind is an effective headwind.

Thus, at least two thirds of wind directions are effective headwinds, and only a wind dead on your tail helps. There is a reason based in physics why it always feels that the wind hurts you more than helps.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Reply