Originally Posted by
Monster Pete
Pretty much. With the sail/aerodynamic bike structure at zero angle, the force on it is just pushing sideways. With it held at an angle, there are components pushing to the side and ahead.
Damnit, now I'm going to have to figure out the physics of a sailing bike
Maybe some kind of tandem with the stoker sailing instead of pedalling...
Sails do not push a boat. A sail pulls a boat based on the Bernoulli principle (on anything from a broad to close reach). A conventional bicycle and rider make a poor air foil. If anything the wind will cause the cyclist to slow a bit due to lateral resistance.
If the cyclist were able to fashion even a crude foil then some lift would be acquired aiding the cyclist.