Facing the wind !
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Facing the wind !
hi all, today I was out cycling happily without so much effort in 30's (kph) suddenly a strong wind faces me directly, it was KILLER. The wind drop my speed from probably a avg. speed of 35 kph in the first 4Km to 20! wow it was so strong.. so I took the nearest U-turn which would make my ride long but with less wind and it was fine for like 1-2km and suddenly the wind faced me again :S
It was my first experience in wind, so advices are welcomed! plus the temperature was 37-38c
I guess cycling here sucks, people are so disrespectful to bike riders.. a guy threw an iced bottle, no respect by car divers, loose dogs, high temp, a guy waving saying weird stuff from a taxi.. ok I'll stop about it .
It was my first experience in wind, so advices are welcomed! plus the temperature was 37-38c
I guess cycling here sucks, people are so disrespectful to bike riders.. a guy threw an iced bottle, no respect by car divers, loose dogs, high temp, a guy waving saying weird stuff from a taxi.. ok I'll stop about it .
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Welcome! And don't get discouraged. It's something we all deal with. Here's my advice for dealing with wind:
1) Get aero. That means low and narrow. Ride in your drops if you are comfortable there, bend your elbows, and keep them tucked next to your body.
2) Spin. That means use a smaller gear and turn your feet over faster. A headwind is like a long, invisible hill.
3) Drink. We have wind, high temps, and low humidity here. Those hot headwinds will suck the water right out of you and you may not realize how much you're sweating.
4) Ride out into the wind, ride home with the wind. I'll ride 5 miles past my house just so I can turn around and have a sweet, sweet tailwind to finish on.
5) HTFU. If the wind was good enough for Eddy, it's good enough for you.
1) Get aero. That means low and narrow. Ride in your drops if you are comfortable there, bend your elbows, and keep them tucked next to your body.
2) Spin. That means use a smaller gear and turn your feet over faster. A headwind is like a long, invisible hill.
3) Drink. We have wind, high temps, and low humidity here. Those hot headwinds will suck the water right out of you and you may not realize how much you're sweating.
4) Ride out into the wind, ride home with the wind. I'll ride 5 miles past my house just so I can turn around and have a sweet, sweet tailwind to finish on.
5) HTFU. If the wind was good enough for Eddy, it's good enough for you.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 306
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Keep riding, eventually you will be able to overcome wind by increasing leg tension like I did on my ride today. Without wind I see 25km/h average with some decent climbs (nothing to brag about but still) and I nailed the 25 mark with some dreadful wind and dust storms (WTF??? Those hurt).
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/47422557
PS, I've never biked in wind like that before and I did it all up hill lol. That was nuts, even pushing me with 5-10 degrees body-english and about 5 degrees steering off the road twice.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/47422557
PS, I've never biked in wind like that before and I did it all up hill lol. That was nuts, even pushing me with 5-10 degrees body-english and about 5 degrees steering off the road twice.
#5
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,218
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1346 Post(s)
Liked 1,234 Times
in
615 Posts
It took me a long time to learn how to ride in winds and the same with hills.
Relax and do what you can.
Someday you will be much stronger.
Relax and do what you can.
Someday you will be much stronger.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Keep riding, eventually you will be able to overcome wind by increasing leg tension like I did on my ride today. Without wind I see 25km/h average with some decent climbs (nothing to brag about but still) and I nailed the 25 mark with some dreadful wind and dust storms (WTF??? Those hurt).
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/47422557
PS, I've never biked in wind like that before and I did it all up hill lol. That was nuts, even pushing me with 5-10 degrees body-english and about 5 degrees steering off the road twice.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/47422557
PS, I've never biked in wind like that before and I did it all up hill lol. That was nuts, even pushing me with 5-10 degrees body-english and about 5 degrees steering off the road twice.
Very nice link! and effort, good job.
I lost 9 kg in like 26 days from fasting and cycling (I'm not light weight), I don't wanna over work my self while fasting because I know how bad it feels.
#8
Philly Fanatic
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 168
Bikes: 2010 Tarmac Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/47422557
PS, I've never biked in wind like that before and I did it all up hill lol.
PS, I've never biked in wind like that before and I did it all up hill lol.
On the subject at hand, I hear Cervelos make you immune to the wind. You should invest in one.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 337
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As people have said, get lower and push harder
You should post some pics. I've seen some pro races from that part of the world but little from recreational cyclists.
You should post some pics. I've seen some pro races from that part of the world but little from recreational cyclists.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,644 Times
in
6,053 Posts
The wind is like a hill. One you can't see. If you know the area well, you can find a route that offers some amount of shelter. When I had a mountain bike, I'd take trails through the woods in a 3.5 mile city park on really windy days.
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah ... they don't. They're still fun to ride, though.
The wind is like a hill. One you can't see. If you know the area well, you can find a route that offers some amount of shelter. When I had a mountain bike, I'd take trails through the woods in a 3.5 mile city park on really windy days.
The wind is like a hill. One you can't see. If you know the area well, you can find a route that offers some amount of shelter. When I had a mountain bike, I'd take trails through the woods in a 3.5 mile city park on really windy days.
#14
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
329 Posts
If you can maintain 15 km/h into a wind ... there's a bit of a breeze. Shift into an easier gear and relax. It's like a very gradual hill.
If you are struggling to maintain 10 km/h into a wind ... that's a pretty strong wind. That's a character and leg-strength-building challenge! Shift into an easier gear, relax, and try to spin as much as you can. Anytime there's a lull in the wind, push as hard as you can, and when you get back into the wind again, relax again and spin.
Don't push too hard when you're actually riding into the wind, push when the wind lets up, like when the road turns a bit, or when there are some trees blocking the wind. Lots of people I've ridden with do it the opposite way ... they push hard into the wind and exhaust themselves, and then relax when the wind lets up a bit. But you get further and feel better if you just relax and spin into the wind, and then push it each time the wind eases up. As slow as I am, I've dropped stronger riders that way (much to my surprise!).
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Last edited by Machka; 09-04-10 at 05:31 AM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
hi all, today I was out cycling happily without so much effort in 30's (kph) suddenly a strong wind faces me directly, it was KILLER. The wind drop my speed from probably a avg. speed of 35 kph in the first 4Km to 20! wow it was so strong.. so I took the nearest U-turn which would make my ride long but with less wind and it was fine for like 1-2km and suddenly the wind faced me again :S
It was my first experience in wind, so advices are welcomed! plus the temperature was 37-38c
I guess cycling here sucks, people are so disrespectful to bike riders.. a guy threw an iced bottle, no respect by car divers, loose dogs, high temp, a guy waving saying weird stuff from a taxi.. ok I'll stop about it .
It was my first experience in wind, so advices are welcomed! plus the temperature was 37-38c
I guess cycling here sucks, people are so disrespectful to bike riders.. a guy threw an iced bottle, no respect by car divers, loose dogs, high temp, a guy waving saying weird stuff from a taxi.. ok I'll stop about it .
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Silverthorne, Colorado
Posts: 636
Bikes: Rawlings Drakkar, Specialized Roubaix, Pivot, Challenge Trike, Tandem
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Get a recumbent and use your aerobelly to advantage.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ohio
Posts: 453
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
just got back from a rainy ride guess how hard the winds were going, 24 mph with 30 mph gust. o f*** it was not fun at all and i could never really seem to hit a tail wind.
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 306
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It was nice to see a bunch of casual cyclists walking their bikes to see me buzz by at 25km/h gulping some powerbar gel back.
Sallom, I have a few friends also fasting in the same situation (trying to improve cycling speed) and it is definitely a good idea to take it "easy".
#22
Medicinal Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Posts: 2,807
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It took me awhile to realize that riding into a headwind just makes you stronger.
#23
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 44
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
200ft in a mile is uphill. As I've said before...nothing compared to the rest of folks here on the forum but a 3.8% grade and a wind that seemed to come from every direction made my life FUN! I really like the idea of relaxing in the wind and taking it easy, that is a good technique I think.
It was nice to see a bunch of casual cyclists walking their bikes to see me buzz by at 25km/h gulping some powerbar gel back.
Sallom, I have a few friends also fasting in the same situation (trying to improve cycling speed) and it is definitely a good idea to take it "easy".
It was nice to see a bunch of casual cyclists walking their bikes to see me buzz by at 25km/h gulping some powerbar gel back.
Sallom, I have a few friends also fasting in the same situation (trying to improve cycling speed) and it is definitely a good idea to take it "easy".
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,875
Bikes: Cervelo RS, Specialized Stumpy, Schwinn 974
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride now in Kansas. Originally from Cali. Pass winds (coastal to inland valleys) in Cali can be ferocious, foggedabout riding west on Pacheco on summer afternoons, like umd has never done it, if he did, he'd want a medal for making it, some Central Coast Valley winds can be hard most of the time.
But Kansas truly sucks. Low wind days are really rare. They are great when they happen, but 15-25 mph winds prevail most of the time. Often gusting 30+, sometimes 45-50+. There's a reason why biking is not popular here.
But Kansas truly sucks. Low wind days are really rare. They are great when they happen, but 15-25 mph winds prevail most of the time. Often gusting 30+, sometimes 45-50+. There's a reason why biking is not popular here.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,415
Bikes: 2010 Litespeed Icon, 1987 Nishiki Olympic 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride now in Kansas. Originally from Cali. Pass winds (coastal to inland valleys) in Cali can be ferocious, foggedabout riding west on Pacheco on summer afternoons, like umd has never done it, if he did, he'd want a medal for making it, some Central Coast Valley winds can be hard most of the time.
But Kansas truly sucks. Low wind days are really rare. They are great when they happen, but 15-25 mph winds prevail most of the time. Often gusting 30+, sometimes 45-50+. There's a reason why biking is not popular here.
But Kansas truly sucks. Low wind days are really rare. They are great when they happen, but 15-25 mph winds prevail most of the time. Often gusting 30+, sometimes 45-50+. There's a reason why biking is not popular here.