Difficult wind is difficult
11-14-17 | 04:11 PM
#52
Thread Starter
Virgo
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 106
From: KFWA
Bikes: A touring bike and a hybrid
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.
I've been thinking a lot about my engine since I started commuting. We recently have joined the neighborhood YMCA and I've got to get in there and have someone help orient me to the fitness center. I have missed two appointments already. I was thinking yoga maybe more than weights but I will likely try both. Maybe just do both.
11-15-17 | 07:54 AM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 558
Likes: 14
From: Ontario
Bikes: HP Velotechnik Streetmachine GTE, 2015 Devinci Silverstone SL4, 2012 Cannondale Road Tandem 2, Circe Morpheus, 2021 Rose Backroad, 2017 Devinci Hatchet
11-15-17 | 08:09 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
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 don't know if it was the head winds, my lack of sleep, or the fact that I was overdressed, or all those together, but this morning was TOUGH! It was 15 degrees warmer than yesterday morning, but I was on my road bike instead of the e-bike. Commute took 21 minutes longer than it did yesterday.
11-15-17 | 12:07 PM
#55
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,428
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
I had headwinds and a slow commute this morning, too. I wish power meters were cheap. I look at my travel times, and they don't correspond to my efforts.
__________________
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.
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.
11-15-17 | 04:37 PM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 665
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City, KS
Wind is my nemesis.. I’ve had a few choice words for Mother Nature some days. I ride east-west, west-east through the Kansas and Missouri River bottoms. I know in the winter is wind is normally out of the NW.. ie fighting it home. In the summer it’s out of the SE so fighting it going to work. Those NE and SW are the worst though since I’m fighting both ways. I can handle wind but the up and down is what gets me, around buildings and the bridges. Today I geared down and went slower since I was tired.. made it and that’s all that matters!
11-23-17 | 03:41 PM
#57
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 479
Likes: 35
Another biker almost hit me this week due to a D-W-R (Darkness, Wind, Rain) moment. Happened in a tough spot (difficult to escape). Had to yell! Luckily her response was quickly and a right one.
The wind, and the more difficult visibility, made it a tough ride even for me.
Again I say: every ride is an adventure :-)
The wind, and the more difficult visibility, made it a tough ride even for me.
Again I say: every ride is an adventure :-)
11-26-17 | 02:15 PM
#59
Jet Jockey
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,941
Likes: 30
From: St. Paul, MN
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD9, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Nashbar X-frame bike, Bike Friday Haul-a-Day, Surly Pugsley.
When I lived in Oklahoma, 30mph winds were the norm. It was the state that made too many days just not worth it to go out for a recreational ride. Pouring everything I had into the pedals for 11mph. WTFO?
Now I live in Minneapolis. Cold is way more fun than Oklahoma winds.
Now I live in Minneapolis. Cold is way more fun than Oklahoma winds.
11-26-17 | 06:56 PM
#60
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,193
Likes: 6,428
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
When I lived in Oklahoma, 30mph winds were the norm. It was the state that made too many days just not worth it to go out for a recreational ride. Pouring everything I had into the pedals for 11mph. WTFO?
Now I live in Minneapolis. Cold is way more fun than Oklahoma winds.
Now I live in Minneapolis. Cold is way more fun than Oklahoma winds.
But aren't tail winds in Oklahoma fun?
__________________
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.
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.
11-30-17 | 02:17 PM
#61
Heck on Wheels
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 3
From: USA Midwest
Bikes: In Signature
OK Tail winds are a myth. The best you get is wind from the 4 o'clock or 8 o'clock position, and no gusts.
__________________
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
