As much as I hate hills, I prefer them to wind any day. Nothing spoils a nice flatland mash than a headwind. After a ride around the hills, my legs will hurt. But after a ride in gusty conditions, I'm all out knackered. I hate that.

No doubt. I'll take 16% over 40mph any day. At least there's some reward at the top.

I've said this before but: wind doesn't blow, it sucks :)

Just got my first road bike a couple weeks ago. Have a 10 mi loop that I've been doing, couple of long hills, some rollers and a couple of long flat stretches. Seems that no matter which direction I'm headed, N,E,S or W it's into a head wind. Guess we get some swirling winds here on the coast.

Like I said, I live in Texas. We don't have hills here
(well a few overpasses!) we need something for resistance
ya know? Wind'll work in a pinch.
uhm, if the cows are flying around and there's hail and Dorothy
and toto I'm not going out.
Marty

I'm with you on that. Hail is where I draw the line.

I don't hate the wind quite as much since I switched from a hybrid to a roadie. It is nice to be able to get a little aero into the headwinds. I agree with the earlier posts about starting the ride into the wind and enjoying the tailwind on the way back. Did a couple rides this spring where I thought I was on record pace for my usual out and back, and then realized when I turned for home that the wind had been behind me the whole time. A long grind home.