Wogster

On a longer ride, we are talking 50km (30 miles) or longer, given the following, in an out and back, which is better.

Head North when your fresh, and just beginning, knowing that the elevation trends higher, means that most of your riding will be uphill, and your going against the prevailing winds. Also knowing that going home you will be mostly going downhill, with the wind going with you.

OR

Head South, knowing that you will be climbing and facing that wind, when your already tired, heading home.

I'm thinking heading North is better, for longer trips, doesn't really matter much for shorter ones. Thinking of a trip that climbs about 200m over 16km (about 650' over 10 miles) or an average grade of 1.25%

Richard_Rides

North. Let the wind blow you home. In case you injure yourself on the ride, like tweak a knee or pull a tendon, you can soft pedal home more easily.

AndrewCO

I could see myself being a bigger fan of the ride home. When I was in college, my main form of reliable transportation was my schwinn frontier. To school/work, 10 miles uphill-ish was just horrid.. 10 miles downgrade home was freaking amazing. I probably put about 6,000-7,000 miles on that bike with its stock everything.

flip18436572

I don't have any choice, but I would prefer to climb the hills and/or go into the wind to start and have the wind at my back on the way home. I have only one safe place to ride and it is going north out of town, so my 40 mile route is always the same. I just hope the wind is in my favor some times.

Actually, on two of my rides last month I rode into the wind both directions, as a front was coming through and the winds changed directions. It was a great workout, but I didn't think so when I was riding it.

Stujoe

Yeah, I would prefer the uphill and windy on the way out. I usually have no choice and end up with the opposite. lol

txvintage

No question, down hill on the way home.

Sadly, the gods on Mt. Bicyculus seem to enjoy having a bit of fun with me and it seems I'm riding into the wind no matter which way I go.

CJKarl

We live on TOP of a hill. So there are 3 roads leading back home. Short and steep, long and constant and the one I usually take is about in the middle. It's only 1/2 mile, but after an hour or 2 in the saddle...it can suck.