simple tailwind question
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 4
From: Peoria, Illinois
simple tailwind question
if you have a 10 mph tailwind and you are doing 20 mph, would you go faster in an aerodynamic position or sitting straight up? My basic physics tells me that once your speed exceeds the tail wind speed, then you're better off moving into an aero position.
#4
Draft Producer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: south shore , Ma
Bikes: fuji CCR 1.0 carbon,Surley Pacer,02 norco shore freeride MTB, cannondale rigid MTB, Fuji aloha 1.0, Monty trials bike
i still prefer to stay tucked in even at 40mph winds. a 40 mph tail wind is great until your sitting up and it changes to from the side or front. last year we had some really stong winds here with gusts up to 60 mph and experienced going down a big downhill and actually slowing down. went from 35 to 28 mph in a single gust 
i would say that the tail wind felt awsome, but like others it seemed that i was only riding into the wind the whole way.

i would say that the tail wind felt awsome, but like others it seemed that i was only riding into the wind the whole way.
#5
For reasons unknown, it seems like 2/3 of the time, when I see anyone riding in the drops, they'll have a tailwind.
Maybe it's just a perception thing on my part.
Maybe it's a mental thing with them. Something like: Headwind- have to crank hard, so sit up more where that's easier. Tailwind- go fast, so get in the "go fast" position.
Maybe it's just a perception thing on my part.
Maybe it's a mental thing with them. Something like: Headwind- have to crank hard, so sit up more where that's easier. Tailwind- go fast, so get in the "go fast" position.
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