The Zen of Wind
 

The wind is your enemy
Until you stop, give up, and turn around
And then it becomes your friend

This is a metaphor for life. Or marriage. Or getting lost during family vacations. Or something.

Sometimes, though, the wind is just a bastard, and follows you around, slapping you in the face and taunting you for not training enough during the winter, when the apple pie and other baked goods tasted so good.

I have found that by not riding, the wind is at a loss to torment me any longer.

I've noticed it is usually in my face. No matter which direction I ride!

Wind sucks...especially when it's blowing.

It's never my friend. I keep thinking since I'm doing a loop, when I start to head back home the wind will be my friend. No, it's a bastard. Maybe it's a different and new bastard, but it's a bastard.

The wind is NOT your enemy. I ride in an area where strong, coastal winds are a constant companion. That's not even counting the recurring Santa Ana winds. The wind is a training opportunity, no different than hill repeats or intervals. Embrace the wind, learn how to ride in a strong headwind and have fun! :thumb:

I've never had a hill turn around on my after I climbed it.

Meh, would've been better if you had made it a haiku.

Wasn't my friend at all today...when out for a 55 miler the damn wind was in my face down the Hudson, and when I turned around in Battery Park it must of shifted direction and was in my face again!!!

:cry::crash:;)

You are riding the wrong hills then. :innocent:

Wind is enemy
Until stop, and turn around
Then it becomes friend

How's that?

Wind is a trickster. Deludes me into thinking I'm riding fast on a calm day, then shows me the truth with a 30 mile headwind back home.

I live in the 4th windiest city in the United States (Amarillo, TX) so I don't want to hear you people whining, unless you live in the 3 windier cities above mine.

Just for reference, the wind here during March/April is typically between 15-35mph sustained, with gusts up to 60mph, depending on the day. Tomorrow's forecast is for 30+mph winds with 45+ gusts. So stop whining and ride.

+1. The wind is your friend. As a tailwind it helps you going faster, and as a headwind it helps you train and learning to HTFU.
Also, you don't want to be the wind's enemy. He is stronger than you, and you'll never be able to beat him. So, best to be his friend.

The wind use to be my enemy, until I broke it...

Other than the noise, I don't mind wind. I need me some cat ears.











Of course, I'm big and fat.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=374615
Have you been reading "The Tao of Pooh" again?

Yeah, but you have that awesome song about your town, so I think it all evens out.

Throw in the Coyote Bluff Cafe and you are actually ahead of the game.

There's a special way into a headwind that requires learning?

Yes, just like there is a way to climb hills that requires learning.

I like this. :thumb:

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?