the retiree just waits for it to change

Problem is the wind is a very stingy friend; it takes way more than it gives.

First, as a matter of simple math you lose more time going into headwind than you gain on the return downwind, because you're spending more time going slower on the upwind section.

Second, 2/3rds of winds are effective headwinds. Given the force vectors involved, for most wind and riding speeds, if you're heading north at Zero degrees a tailwind has to be between about 120 degrees and 240 degrees to be helpful.

Exactly, and the Zen of wind comes not in fighting it but accepting it, embracing it. The first step in accomplishing this is to dispense with any notions of how fast you should be going and to just ride and gear down to the level of intensity you desire. Plus there is always the going with the wind part that is sublime.

Actually my approach is ride as far and as fast as I can with wind at my back. Then when I'm tired, I call my wife to come pick me up.

I used to do this with running too except I ride the subway back.

It's pretty effective when I show data that I did 30 miles at 27 mph

Headwinds are great for training rides. Where else can you cram a 30mi ride into 20 miles?

I covet your wife. I have tried this but no go. She has limits I guess.

Embrace the wind?
It evades my grasp
Like a courtesan of the night.

We know not from where the wind comes
Nor where it goes
Only that it strikes our face
Like a b*tch.

Geographic features can create predictable wind changes both in direction (eddy-effects) and in time-of-day directions, and the west has these features in abundance. I generally take advantage of these on weekend loop rides. I'm always surprised to see so many people who seemingly prefer to ride 80% of their miles with headwinds while I ride 80% with tailwinds. I guess I'm just lazier than the average bear.

Of course, I rarely acknowledge tailwinds. As we all know, there are headwinds and then there are those times when we're riding well and strongly.

In my basement. Ouch.

First off, the wind is a she, not a he. She can be relentless and punishing or pleasurable and enabling. When she attacks, you acknowledge her strength. Be one with the wind no matter the direction of her assault.

A pessimist, of which I am one, is always correct or pleasantly surprised. No looking through rose colored glasses for me.

Hear, Hear.

I'd rather ride in the rain than the wind.

A friend and I started out on a 70 mile ride. 35 miles to Orient Point (Long Island), turn around and back. We started the ride, and we were going straight into the wind. OK, I’m fresh, I deal with this on the way out and crank on the way home.

We got to Orient Point, stopped and grabbed a burger. Started the ride home and I started to think, something’s wrong, it wasn’t as easy as I planned. Of course the wind had changed directions. The sun was really hot that day and of course I had a flat 20 minutes from home. It was a log ride back that day.

Get a power meter and wind is no longer relevant.