Difficult wind is difficult
11-10-17 | 03:32 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 219
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From: Tempe, AZ
Bikes: Specialized AWOL, Specialized Roubaix, Niner Air9, Turner Sultan
I recently found that wind is much more tolerable if I don't know how slow I'm going. On a windy day my commute time might be an extra 20% extra but if I'm not watching my speed (garmin in my pocket) I don't notice nearly so much. I'll do most of my complaining after I get home and see how long it was.
Luckily in AZ we don't get nearly the wind you get out in the midwest, I've never had it so bad here that I could only go 8mph but I can imagine how frustrating that would be.
Luckily in AZ we don't get nearly the wind you get out in the midwest, I've never had it so bad here that I could only go 8mph but I can imagine how frustrating that would be.
11-10-17 | 04:40 PM
#28
Resident smartass.
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 488
Likes: 2
From: Kamloops, BC, Canada
Headwind? What is this "headwind" you speak of? That's just resistance training you are experiencing.
Joking aside, I wouldn't worry too much about the wind. Just gear down to whatever is comfortable and go from there. Don't worry about a set speed. Look at it as a positive challenge for yourself. I look at it as a good workout.
Joking aside, I wouldn't worry too much about the wind. Just gear down to whatever is comfortable and go from there. Don't worry about a set speed. Look at it as a positive challenge for yourself. I look at it as a good workout.
11-10-17 | 06:22 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Chicago
Bikes: Marin Four Corners, 1960's Schwinn Racer in middle of restoration, mid 70s Motobecane Grand Touring, various other heaps.
I think we had the same wind in Chicago yesterday. Yea it was rough. I did a bit better than 10mph...but not much. It was tough.
I just think about how much fun it is to ride with the 30mph tailwind. I was passing cars while in the bike lane yesterday morning coming east lol
I just think about how much fun it is to ride with the 30mph tailwind. I was passing cars while in the bike lane yesterday morning coming east lol
11-10-17 | 06:25 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Ottawa,ON,Canada
Bikes: Schwinn Miranda 1990, Giant TCX 2 2012
Hello,
My family and I have been car-free for about 9 weeks now. My work commute is 12 miles each way. I live on the extreme northeast corner of the city and my job is in a small town to the northeast. My route is basically on county roads through farmland. The prevailing wind here is from the southwest - obviously there is some variation but most days I can expect a little tailwind on my way to work and a little headwind on the way home.
Yesterday afternoon we had a wind from the west at 20 gusting 35. Basically all the roads on my route are on the country grid, so rather than heading home to the southwest, it's like a mile south, then a few miles west, a few miles south, and so on. So on the westbound "legs" I was riding directly into the wind, and during the peak gusts I could hardly keep the bike moving (I ride an old Raleigh road bike for reference). It made a small but noticeable difference to get down in the drops, but I spent the majority of the time riding into the wind in like 1st and 2nd gear, spinning the best I could and maybe maintaining 8-10mph?
Is my experience common? The wind slowing me down that much can add as much as 30 minutes to my ride - I usually make it in about 45-50 minutes but it takes me around 60-75 minutes when it's that windy. What does the wind do to anybody else? Are there some special "techniques" to employ? Any articles to read that have been helpful to anyone else? I do my best to not fight it and just relax and try to enjoy the ride.
Sorry if my post has a whiney tone. I awoke this morning to find that the wind had shifted to the northeast so I had a headwind on my ride to work. It was 22 degrees as well, my first time riding in weather that cold and I was not prepared so was suffering when I got to work. I have made some progress - the first couple times it got that windy it was all I could do to refrain from stopping and smashing my bike on the road and chucking it into a field!!!
Dealing with the wind is sometimes difficult.
My family and I have been car-free for about 9 weeks now. My work commute is 12 miles each way. I live on the extreme northeast corner of the city and my job is in a small town to the northeast. My route is basically on county roads through farmland. The prevailing wind here is from the southwest - obviously there is some variation but most days I can expect a little tailwind on my way to work and a little headwind on the way home.
Yesterday afternoon we had a wind from the west at 20 gusting 35. Basically all the roads on my route are on the country grid, so rather than heading home to the southwest, it's like a mile south, then a few miles west, a few miles south, and so on. So on the westbound "legs" I was riding directly into the wind, and during the peak gusts I could hardly keep the bike moving (I ride an old Raleigh road bike for reference). It made a small but noticeable difference to get down in the drops, but I spent the majority of the time riding into the wind in like 1st and 2nd gear, spinning the best I could and maybe maintaining 8-10mph?
Is my experience common? The wind slowing me down that much can add as much as 30 minutes to my ride - I usually make it in about 45-50 minutes but it takes me around 60-75 minutes when it's that windy. What does the wind do to anybody else? Are there some special "techniques" to employ? Any articles to read that have been helpful to anyone else? I do my best to not fight it and just relax and try to enjoy the ride.
Sorry if my post has a whiney tone. I awoke this morning to find that the wind had shifted to the northeast so I had a headwind on my ride to work. It was 22 degrees as well, my first time riding in weather that cold and I was not prepared so was suffering when I got to work. I have made some progress - the first couple times it got that windy it was all I could do to refrain from stopping and smashing my bike on the road and chucking it into a field!!!
Dealing with the wind is sometimes difficult.
https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/how-m...-when-cycling/
11-10-17 | 06:49 PM
#31
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
My first commute was slightly downhill and with a very slight tailwind. I'm going to be reversing that in the next 6 moths or so and am sure that slight downhill slope and tailwind will look a lot bigger going the other way.
11-10-17 | 10:14 PM
#32
vespertine member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,473
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From: Land of Angora, Turkey
Bikes: Yes
Difficult wind is definitely difficult, and 20MPH can be quite nasty. I usually just try to get as aero as possible and pretend that I'm pedaling up a big hill. I heard somewhere that "a headwind is a hill without a soul", so I think about that. In a way I dislike the crosswinds on ridge tops even more - they've nearly blown me off the bike.
I've started using something called My Windsock, which uses Strava to provide wind details for routes and rides. It's not perfect because it relies upon the accuracy of local weather reports, but I can at least see whether I'm being a big wimp or the wind actually was that bad.
I've started using something called My Windsock, which uses Strava to provide wind details for routes and rides. It's not perfect because it relies upon the accuracy of local weather reports, but I can at least see whether I'm being a big wimp or the wind actually was that bad.
11-11-17 | 09:40 AM
#33
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
My commute is 9 miles. The wind can be tough. It is no fun having to pedal downhill...especially in the snow. Ten years ago or so I added aero bars to my mountain-bike commuter due to the need for more hand positions. That bike gets studded snow tires in the winter and slicks in the summer.
I found that riding stretched out forward on the aero bars, arms ahead of me like superman flying really helps, but only so much. And even with what little traffic I have it makes situational awareness tougher, even with a glasses mount mirror. Plus the handling can get a little squirrley.
Even on a calm day, leaning on the aeros gives me an extra 1.5 mph over my usual "hunched forward" position, which gives me an extra 1-2 mph over a bolt upright position. So I guess that makes the aeroposition about 3mph faster than upright...not much advantage heading into a 20+mph headwind...but it makes me feel like I'm doing someting.
Nine weeks is a relatively short time as far as building up your leg muscles, assuming you weren't a regular rider before this. In six months the windy days will annoy you, but you will be better equipped to power through.
I admire your fortitude.
I found that riding stretched out forward on the aero bars, arms ahead of me like superman flying really helps, but only so much. And even with what little traffic I have it makes situational awareness tougher, even with a glasses mount mirror. Plus the handling can get a little squirrley.
Even on a calm day, leaning on the aeros gives me an extra 1.5 mph over my usual "hunched forward" position, which gives me an extra 1-2 mph over a bolt upright position. So I guess that makes the aeroposition about 3mph faster than upright...not much advantage heading into a 20+mph headwind...but it makes me feel like I'm doing someting.
Nine weeks is a relatively short time as far as building up your leg muscles, assuming you weren't a regular rider before this. In six months the windy days will annoy you, but you will be better equipped to power through.
I admire your fortitude.
Last edited by BobbyG; 11-11-17 at 10:00 PM.
11-11-17 | 06:35 PM
#34
ambulatory senior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6,451
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From: Peoria Il
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
i sit pretty upright on account of arthritis in my neck. i can get a little more aero but generally i just figure i am going to go slower.
i have a brooks seat cover that has a pic on it of a guy riding over the north pole. sometimes i think if i just kept the wind at my back and went over the north pole it would be a quicker ride home. its a wonderful thing to get to complain about the wind. imagine not getting to ride.
i have a brooks seat cover that has a pic on it of a guy riding over the north pole. sometimes i think if i just kept the wind at my back and went over the north pole it would be a quicker ride home. its a wonderful thing to get to complain about the wind. imagine not getting to ride.
11-11-17 | 06:49 PM
#35
What happened?
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Around here somewhere
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
I live next to a freeway and river in Oregon with a butte and mountains on the other side in Idaho so when the wind kicks up it can be enough to take Dorothy across the border into the motocross races. 20-60 mph (that's extreme and not common but possible here).
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11-11-17 | 09:10 PM
#37
Thats "MISTER Poopypants"
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Tokyo
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac with Shimano RS81s and 105s
Head winds or "resistance training" as was mentioned sure does make commutes a lot less fun unless you enjoy the boredom of slow speeds and increased pain.
Yesterday with a tail wind I rode 20km in just under 27 minutes which is an average of around 39km/hr. It was great fun and a good workout with 58.7km/h max speed.
I turned around and it was a whole new ball game with exhausted legs.
The same trip back took me 56:26 with an average of 22.1km/h. Max speed was 38.9 on a downhill.
Just go with the flow and try to reduce drag going into the wind. I guess aerobars help by about 2-3km/h so that helps a lot. Consider them if you can.
Yesterday with a tail wind I rode 20km in just under 27 minutes which is an average of around 39km/hr. It was great fun and a good workout with 58.7km/h max speed.
I turned around and it was a whole new ball game with exhausted legs.
The same trip back took me 56:26 with an average of 22.1km/h. Max speed was 38.9 on a downhill.
Just go with the flow and try to reduce drag going into the wind. I guess aerobars help by about 2-3km/h so that helps a lot. Consider them if you can.
11-12-17 | 01:06 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 558
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From: Ontario
Bikes: HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GTE, 2015 Devinci Silverstone SL4, 2012 Cannondale Road Tandem 2, Circe Morpheus, 2021 Rose Backroad, 2017 Devinci Hatchet
Less practical thoughts:
Being someone currently dreaming about a recumbent bicycle/tandem....
Get a recumbent with a lot of recline and add a fairing. That should make you much more aerodynamic, plus it would reduce the heat loss due to strong winds.
Being someone currently dreaming about a recumbent bicycle/tandem....
Get a recumbent with a lot of recline and add a fairing. That should make you much more aerodynamic, plus it would reduce the heat loss due to strong winds.
11-13-17 | 01:23 PM
#40
Thread Starter
Virgo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 106
From: KFWA
Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid
I don't loose much time because of the wind but it's probably because my commute pattern is like a horse shoe (river between both legs of the commute). What I loose in one direction I gain in the other direction. I prefer when the headwind is on my first leg though. But to answer your question, yeah, head wind is a pain, specially when it's cold. See this article:
https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/how-m...-when-cycling/
https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/how-m...-when-cycling/
If anybody checks back in on this thread, I do want to mention that I am so thankful that these forums exist, especially for those who do not have any real world support when it comes to bikes. I am way more encouraged and educated than I expected to be thanks to the awesome folks who hang out here.
11-13-17 | 01:26 PM
#41
Thread Starter
Virgo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,279
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From: KFWA
Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid
I've never even thought about it until now. I seem to be flexible enough at the moment and fortunately don't suffer from any chronic pain that makes me uncomfortable on my road bike, BUT - I can't think of a good reason not to try one someday! Maybe I would love it! I think they look comfortable and fun to ride.
Last edited by Phamilton; 11-13-17 at 02:30 PM. Reason: spelling, grammar
11-13-17 | 01:29 PM
#42
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
I also hate headwinds. I also live outside of a city, and work farther out from the city and ride mostly on rural roads. My work is mostly south and a little west from home, and in the summer the prevailing winds are from the south and southwest, and in the winter mostly north and northwest. So often I'll have a nice tailwind going home in the warmer months, but not so much in the cooler months. For years I've either just borne the brunt of the wind going home on my road bike, or taken the car instead. Since I've added an e-bike to my arsenal this year, I can take that bike if the forecast calls for unfavorable winds that would otherwise make the ride much less enjoyable, at least for me.
11-13-17 | 03:56 PM
#43
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 558
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From: Ontario
Bikes: HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GTE, 2015 Devinci Silverstone SL4, 2012 Cannondale Road Tandem 2, Circe Morpheus, 2021 Rose Backroad, 2017 Devinci Hatchet
I've never even thought about it until now. I seem to be flexible enough at the moment and fortunately don't suffer from any chronic pain that makes me uncomfortable on my road bike, BUT - I can't think of a good reason not to try one someday! Maybe I would love it! I think they look comfortable and fun to ride.
11-13-17 | 08:08 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: WKY
Bikes: 2014 Trek Crossrip LTD, 2013 Raleigh Misceo
Wind hater here as well. I'm in an area that has that "shift" during the day. Usually it's not too bad, but when I try and view it as "resistance training" my knees get sore. Spin baby spin.
11-14-17 | 09:21 AM
#45
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 478
Likes: 130
From: Lafayette, Indiana
By the way, this is impressively hardcore. Do you have a plan for when the ride is not just difficult, but impossible? You are in NE Indiana and winter is nigh...
11-14-17 | 10:55 AM
#46
Difficult wind, definitely difficult. I don't miss pulling the kids in a trailer into that kind of a headwind. It's all about aerodynamics, surface area has an exponential effect on drag. Make yourself as small as you can going into the wind. Can't swear it will get easier, and maybe 10mph is the best you can do and also good for you if you are spinning pretty quickly.
11-14-17 | 10:58 AM
#47
Happy banana slug
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 26L, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
I feel ya. I live along the coast, and particularly in the spring and summer the wind can be ferocious. Add that to a highway commute and the temptation to just take the bus can be overwhelming, especially with a month pass. My ride takes me around Humboldt Bay, so there's always going to be a headwind somewhere.
11-14-17 | 11:42 AM
#48
Thread Starter
Virgo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,279
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From: KFWA
Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid
I wouldn't even look at them from the point of pain and suffer mitigation. I am happy and healthy. Had the opportunity to borrow a HP Velotechnik Streetmachine Gte and a Vendetta V20 once each. It just gives me a smile when riding them that I do not have on upright bikes.
11-14-17 | 11:56 AM
#49
Thread Starter
Virgo
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: KFWA
Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid
I don't have a plan but it has been on my mind a lot as we're approaching winter. Fortunately for our family, I am the only one with a lengthy commute - my wife works either .9 miles or 5 miles from home (couple locations) and the further location is on the bus route. My daughter is 1 mile from her school and when it's THAT bad, well, they close schools anyway.
I have a coworker who is looking to offload some mountain bikes he saved from the dump at a jobsite. I may get one or both of them and outfit them with studded tires.
I have a standing offer with another coworker/friend who lives within 2 miles of me to hitch a ride if needed. I have taken advantage of his kindness on 3 windy afternoons and one where I was just too sick to ride.
Oh, yeah - I almost forgot that I can work remotely if needed, just have to take the laptop home the evening before. :-)
I'm sure there are some folks here that deal with winters worse than ours - any Minnesota cyclists hanging around? I have read that Minneapolis has a pretty big cycling population, many of them year-round, but I don't know of any real person from there. Not to disparage any other good examples, Minneapolis is just the first city that came to mind, and the one I remind myself of when I'm feeling cold (when it's still above freezing here).
11-14-17 | 01:16 PM
#50
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Yes, Minneapolis has such serious winters, I want to experience it one day. And I'd like to try riding on hardpacked snow.
It's taken me a long time, but I've become a bit more tolerant of headwinds. I've been riding my current route for almost three years now. It took me longer than it took to get used to hills. Part of it is attitude, and part of it is conditioning. To achieve conditioning, I don't just ride my bike. I do occasional "intervals" on the bike, and I lift weights. Those two things build strength and endurance rather fast.
It's taken me a long time, but I've become a bit more tolerant of headwinds. I've been riding my current route for almost three years now. It took me longer than it took to get used to hills. Part of it is attitude, and part of it is conditioning. To achieve conditioning, I don't just ride my bike. I do occasional "intervals" on the bike, and I lift weights. Those two things build strength and endurance rather fast.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
