Riding into Strong Winds

[Vetseun]

I have a perfect solution to riding into strong wind.

When I entounter a strong head wind, I turn around and ride with it in my back. Thus making it a tail wind. I ride with this tail wind until I am tired.

Then I phone my wife to come and fetch me.

[DJR]

Find help!

 

Most cyclists are all to happy to work together against a headwind, even a single fellow commuter will often pitch in.

[LeTurbo]

Drop low in the bars, and point your right hand forward (above your head, as it were) while making a fist. Wear a red cape.

[DJR]

Drop low in the bars, and point your right hand forward (above your head, as it were) while making a fist. Wear a red cape.

 

Ha ha. This reminded me of a father and little son riding one of those "half wheeler' trailers around Cape Point during one of those South peninsula races a year or 2 back. The little guy was wearing a full on Batman suit including a cape, and the cape was fastened just right not to get into the back wheel, that made it into a perfect parachute! Straight up the nose of a really nasty Southeaster! I think the father got a serious workout that day.

Edited February 15, 2014 by DJR

[Blackheart]

I try to focus on how much more of a workout i'm getting for free.

Gusty cross winds freak me out though.

[3wings]

I used to scream all sorts of obscenities at the wind - the 2009 Argus springs to mind - especially after all the hard training that preceded it.

More recently I have realised that the more upset and angry I become, the more inefficient/difficult/frustrating my cycling becomes with it.

Solution ?

As the guys have said above; don't fight it, don't make it your enemy cos it will just fight back and you'll end up losing...

So learn to love it, accept it as part of cycling, harness it if you can, streamline your body to get optimum dynamic airflow and concentrate on that bend just up the road when you'll turn and the wind will become your friend.

Tomorrow's Medallion race in Stellenbosch is going to be windy - am I going to stay in bed ?

No - I'll do my damndest to make the wind work for me as best I can remembering all the time that, just like the 2009 Argus, all the guys will be in the same boat.

Good luck and stay safe out there....

[cfcjim]

Thank you to all for your suggestions and advice.

 

I was ready on Saturday morning, had a route planned; at least 25km of headwind. What happens? NO WIND!! Or so low as to be insignificant. Nice ride though, even if the temperature was a touch high.

 

Tried again on Sunday quite a bit more wind: the approach of embracing the wind, not making it your enemy but something to move in and around really does work.

It did not become a distraction and I definitely was more efficient as I'd become more relaxed.

 

Thanks again all.

 

This has really helped. I'll try again in the week Tuesday and Thursday look quite good.

[MELVYNR7]

Climb more hills....the wind will be a breeze after that....

That sounds great, but how does one get "used" to the hills. I tend to struggle a lot more than most other people I encounter on the way.