Riding in winter winds

[DebTX]

Hi everyone -
It doesn't get that cold here in Texas, so I don't have the winter riding impediment that many of you do. But it's very windy and that's what has kept me off the bike. Today, for example, the winds were at least 20-30 mph. Same is expected for tomorrow. Of course I saw plenty of riders out on the roads and it made me wonder if I'm being a weenie.

The one time I rode despite the wind it "felt like" it was going to push me over! I don't know if it actually would've or not. But how do you all manage to ride in strong winds? Do I just need to buck up?

Thanks!
Deb

[sundial]

Deb, we're having more wind than usual for December. I think we were suppose to have this kind of wind in October and it was delayed a couple of months. :rolleyes: Pick your days to be on the road when it's nice and if it's really windy, head for the woods for a good hike or a mtb ride.

[redrhodie]

and if it's really windy, head for the woods for a good hike or a mtb ride.

Not if it's REALLY windy! You gotta watch out for falling branches! If it's too windy to ride, it's too windy to walk.

I ride in a really windy area, 20-30mph winds are pretty common. I've been pushed sideways, but never blown over. I don't ride if branches are falling. My friend had a plastic planter blow under her wheels. She was lucky not to fall. Stuff like that is probably more dangerous than actually being blown over.

Psychologically, I get through it knowing there will be a tailwind at some point. That's the big reward. It does get easier, but like climbing, it's never easy.

[Zen]

I've been blown over before and now I have a wind phobia :o

[uforgot]

We're having the winds in Missouri now too. Branches everywhere. I didn't ride today either. I think I'd rather ride in the rain than the wind.

[OakLeaf]

Depends on the traffic. It can get pretty bad on high bridges (FL) or fast descents (OH). If the wind is gusty enough and the road is narrow and busy enough that it could blow me into traffic, I am NOT happy.

I was actually with a group of pretty strong riders last year (mostly much stronger than I am), who turned around because of the wind after crossing the bridge. (I didn't actually quite get that... since once we were over the bridge we had to cross it once, and only once, again... ) But then again, more than half of them were triathletes on tri bikes, so they were probably having worse trouble in the crosswinds than the roadies.

I don't know which is worse - being buffeted all over the place on a bici, or having yourself and your nearly 400# moto picked up by the wind and shoved over three or four inches -

[Triskeliongirl]

I did ride yesterday in 20-30mph winds, and at one point on a very exposed area I did have a gust move me over a couple feet and it was scary.

When you ride in a constant wind, you need to shift your weight so it is moving towards the direction of the wind. This works like countersteering to keep you upright. The hard thing are gusts, since they are unpredictable and don't give you time to react. If its too gusty I don't ride.

It was the near the end of the ride when I started getting blown all over the place, so when my husband came along and passed me, I stopped riding and asked him to come and pick me up when he got in. Cuz the final stretch had a fair bit of traffic, and I was really worried about being blown into it.

[ASammy1]

Being on the coast, we get wind fairly regularly. On the days when it's really windy I use my friend the trainer because I've been blown into traffic before and it's really scary. Overall though, the wind is making me a stronger rider.

[malkin]

The wind here this morning made me feel unsafe in my car! There's no way I could have ridden a bike.

[Geonz]

I ride a heavy bike when it's really nasty. Yesterday I got blown slideways (not gonna fix that 'typo' :) ) when I was going through a puddle that had ice underneath, I think... with all the water and the cross wind even the studs just slid.

[malkin]

"Slideways" is a keeper!

[TrekTheKaty]

If you are riding into the wind, turn off your GPS/computer. It's just depressing to pedal away and do 7-9 mph. However, 20 mph crosswinds are challenging--but gusty I don't do. It's hard to keep your balance--so I'm off to spinning class!

[bmccasland]

We get pretty stiff winds on the bike path on top of the Mississippi River levee during the summer months, or pretty much any time of year I suppose. Got to admit I'm a cool season weanie. At least on the levee path I don't have to worry about being blown into traffic, but on occasion if I'm not paying attention, I have come close to being blown off. Cunninghamair is right - when the wind is really stiff, don't look at the bike computer - unless it's a tail wind! Nothing quite like riding hard, and only doing single digits.

[Sgritn]

East coast winds have been pretty fierce this season. I am a warm weather rider. I miss sailing out on my bike for a ride. The winds, motorists who do not expect bike riders to be sharing the traffic flow keeps me off the road until Spring.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Santa Ana winds in So Cal have been really bad off and on for a couple weeks. Went on a mtb ride last week 20-30 mph hour winds w/ 50 mph gusts. The gusts were nuts! Got blown "slideways" several times– scary on trails with exposure (as in a cliff next to you). It was fun and scary and stupid. Since then I have stayed on the road. Shorter rides, more effort, but not getting knocked over!

[cylegoddess]

g'day! we get some bad winds here too. I finally decided to ride in them anyway( as the headwinds are like riding hills) but, there ARE days when you should just stick to off road paths and such.
I nearly blew over! I was at angle for most of the ride.
Sadly, I did fall, by being blown over and get road rash somewhat, but only after I had stopped. Got to be careful not to get blown over at lights, reaching for buttons!!
My cycle comp doesnt work at moment but I had a few guys( nice bikes, big thighs, pro gear) ride past me like I was going backwards!! Somewhat demoralizing,except their thighs were the size of my waist!
Lane Armstrong got strong he says, riding flats in texas in wind.

[Dogmama]

"Spin spin spin in the wind..."

Get tucked down.

Know that you'll get a tailwind soon.

[Dazeepetals]

Yesterday was my first time riding in Texas winds. For a good 12 miles I was riding directly into the wind (NNW at 15-10 mph). It was rough and a couple of times my bike moved a few inches over from a gust. My boyfriend was nice and let me trail him since he's a very strong rider. Still managed to keep a pace of 13-14 mph. But the best part is riding back with the tailwind....

[wackyjacky1]

Riding to work yesterday morning took me over a minute and a half longer than it usually does because of the strong winds. I consoled myself with the thought that I would have the wind at my back on the ride home, but noooo! Somehow I had it in my face again the whole way. :rolleyes: I felt like I was moving in slo-mo. :p

[malkin]

Zen's "wind phobia" reminded me of Tenessee Williams'

Kitchen Door Blues

My old lady died of a common cold.
She smoked cigars and was ninety years old.
She was thin as paper with the ribs of a kite,
And she flew out the kitchen door one night.

Now I'm no younger 'n the old lady was,
When she lost gravitation, and I smoke cigars.
I feel sorta peaked, an' I look kinda pore,
So for God's sake, lock that kitchen door!

There's nothing wrong with a little reasonable and well founded caution.