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Dealing With A Headwind

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Old 10-10-14 | 05:18 PM
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Dealing With A Headwind

Let's face it, we all have deal with Headwinds now and then. What is best way to deal with this weather phenomenon?
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Old 10-10-14 | 05:26 PM
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h t f u
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Old 10-10-14 | 05:33 PM
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On my single speed I installed mini aerobars for cruising in the wind, doesn't mess with the saddle position or layback. On my roadbike I drop down a gear, hands in drops, chin to stem, elbows 90 degrees.

Or you can just turn around and go the other direction.
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Old 10-10-14 | 05:54 PM
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turn around and go the other direction.
I once did this for two weeks then took the train home.
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Old 10-10-14 | 06:14 PM
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I would hardly call headwinds a "weather phenomenon". It's just wind. Wind happens.
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Old 10-10-14 | 06:31 PM
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It's why I have drop bars. I usually ride on the tops. In a headwind, I go onto the drops, it's like going down a gear. Of course, it doesn't work as well with flat bars (could be interesting for spectators if you tried).
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Old 10-10-14 | 06:46 PM
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If it's really windy, as it was today, I just ride my geared bike and shift to the small chainring. I'm not proud.
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Old 10-10-14 | 06:53 PM
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In headwinds, I like to hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I find that it helps significantly.
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Old 10-10-14 | 06:59 PM
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Get aero as ****.
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Old 10-10-14 | 07:14 PM
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Old 10-10-14 | 07:37 PM
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I'm afraid you're just going to deal with headwinds and htfu while you're still riding on earth. You could avoid it altogether if you choose to ride in the vacuum of space.

Originally Posted by seau grateau
Get aero as ****.
If you're a grade AAA badass you would ride with front and rear disc wheels OP
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Old 10-11-14 | 03:28 AM
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You'll never change the wind; change your attitude.
Treat the headwind like a long-lost friend.
HTFU with a song in your heart.
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Old 10-11-14 | 05:50 AM
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Originally Posted by RollCNY
In headwinds, I like to hum the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I find that it helps significantly.
Lol
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Old 10-11-14 | 06:18 AM
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I usually go slower... sometimes I pedal harder.

In fact... sometimes I do both of these things simultaneously. Occasionally I add the method of "swearing out loud."

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Old 10-11-14 | 06:57 AM
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Getting up out of the saddle while being tucked as low as possible takes practice but on ssfg it is a useful skill.
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Old 10-11-14 | 09:14 AM
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For a given body position, you're actually more aero with your arms on the hoods up top then in the drops. You don't "scoop up" as much air.

The drops are a superior hand position when descending, cornering, sprinting, or to protect them in tight quarters with other riders, so you don't get them hooked and crash. Basically when safety and/or bike handling is the utmost concern. More aero they are not.
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Old 10-11-14 | 09:41 AM
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Get low, get skinny.
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Old 10-11-14 | 09:59 AM
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Easy solution for me.. I just move my hands out to the end position of my pursuit bullhorns, and magically I'm lower, stretched out and more aero. Road bikes even easier since I can swap gears and grab the drops, the city bike just drop the gear to a lower one and putt putt.
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Old 10-11-14 | 10:00 AM
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Headwinds build strength and character. Embrace them.
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Old 10-11-14 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by TMonk
For a given body position, you're actually more aero with your arms on the hoods up top then in the drops. You don't "scoop up" as much air.

The drops are a superior hand position when descending, cornering, sprinting, or to protect them in tight quarters with other riders, so you don't get them hooked and crash. Basically when safety and/or bike handling is the utmost concern. More aero they are not.
Not quite. Your upper body catches far more wind than your arms so if your torso is closer to parallel to the ground in the drops you'll be more aerodynamic.

If the angle of your torso doesn't change between the hoods and drops then yes, being on the hoods with your arms bent as close to 90 degrees as possible should be more aero.
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Old 10-11-14 | 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by CharlyAlfaRomeo
Not quite. Your upper body catches far more wind than your arms so if your torso is closer to parallel to the ground in the drops you'll be more aerodynamic.
See where I said "A given body position"? A rider with good core strength and flexibility should be able to get as low on the hoods as they can in the drops.

Originally Posted by CharlyAlfaRomeo
If the angle of your torso doesn't change between the hoods and drops then yes, being on the hoods with your arms bent as close to 90 degrees as possible should be more aero.
yep

also I know these things, because of science, racing, riding with a power meter, racing. and of course, science
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Old 10-11-14 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
Get low, get skinny.
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Old 10-11-14 | 01:47 PM
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Eddy on the hoods. Aero and powerful.

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Old 10-11-14 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
Eddy on the hoods. Aero and powerful.
But the tops let Eddy tuck his elbows in for more aero.

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Old 10-11-14 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TMonk
See where I said "A given body position"? A rider with good core strength and flexibility should be able to get as low on the hoods as they can in the drops.
I do but I glazed over on that part at first and I think others might too so it's probably worth repeating. My bad.

I will add though that being able to get equally low between hoods and drops depends not only on flexibility but on proper fit. If your bars are set too high the drops will provide some aerodynamic advantage.
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