Now here is the question I'm curious about, and probably has an obvious physics answer: Let's assume your ride is a gentle 1% gradient out and then -1% on the return trip. Will you get a faster average speed riding uphill/tailwind and downhill/headwind, or with uphill/headwind, downhill/tailwind?

Given drag and it's exponential effect it seems like the most advantageous wind would be one where you get the headwind when you are going slowest (uphill) and tailwind when going faster (downhill)...but in my experience I feel faster the other way, which is why I ask.