WIND WIND WIND=run run run?

[letsride89]

Alright. I have been riding since about May. I ride about 100+ miles a week, just did the ms150, and am loving my bike =)

Here's the deal.
I HATE WIND.
I'm sorry, i know it's probably great conditioning, but i find it so unpleasant that it just makes me not want to ride.

so, is it time to start running?
I have never been much of a runner. I played soccer for 12 years, but that's it. Yesterday, the fall weather brought the wind so i decided to go on a run, expecting to only run around the block once...but i ended up doing 2 miles and not being too tired at the end.

best of all, the wind didn't bother me.

are any of you fair weather cyclists? anyone switch it up to running? talk to me girls...maybe you have more ideas or something

[xeney]

Ah, see, I hate running in the wind, too. I seem to always get stuff in my eyes even with sunglasses on -- the helmet + sunglasses combination is more protective than just the glasses alone. Maybe I need a hat (but it would probably blow off).

I do all of my running and biking these days with a Chariot trailer/jogging stroller, and I think I prefer pulling it into the wind to pushing it into the wind. So I'm saving running for wet days and continuing to ride in the wind.

Yesterday the wind was so bad that I ran out of gears in my middle ring and wound up downshifting to the little ring, even though it's completely flat here. I felt like a dummy riding the last 8 miles in the granny gear, but it actually increased my speed by almost two miles an hour so it was the right thing to do.

Running, cycling, whichever: I think it's great that you aren't letting the weather keep you inside!

[letsride89]

i'm glad i'm not alone out there!!!

yes, the wind does make me shift to the granny gear, too...i feel so horrible some days i take my computer and turn it off just so i can't see how SLOW i am going lol

it does help not being able to see how pathetic i am.

im no treadmill girl, won't see me on one!

[Aggie_Ama]

I find running in the wind also sucks. I don't like cycling in the wind either. I do enjoy running and cycling but neither would I trade off for the other if the wind was higher.

My preference? To mountain bike on a sheltered (Read: lots of trees) trail or hike. I don't like to the let the weather keep me from being outside, I just modify my activity.

[letsride89]

great idea! you are amazing for even attempting mntn biking. maybe one day ill get up enough courage. but until then, kudos to you!!!

[xeney]

Mountain biking doesn't have to mean lots of crazy downhills or technical stuff! It can just mean dirt roads, depending on what kind of terrain you have available. I sometimes take my mountain bike out onto the levee trail here on windy days -- it's not a very exciting ride, but the cross winds bother me less on my very heavy mountain bike than they do on my road bike, which sometimes feels like it's going to blow sideways.

[KeepingUp]

I hate the wind as well. Living in California with all the mountains, the dirt kicks up and covers the city. Everything ends up in my eyes and I can feel the dirt on my face. If I'm running or cycling with the wind feels better. The wind will actually give me a push.

[Aggie_Ama]

Mountain biking doesn't have to mean lots of crazy downhills or technical stuff! It can just mean dirt roads, depending on what kind of terrain you have available. I sometimes take my mountain bike out onto the levee trail here on windy days -- it's not a very exciting ride, but the cross winds bother me less on my very heavy mountain bike than they do on my road bike, which sometimes feels like it's going to blow sideways.

Exactly, here we have a 5 mile MUT that would be great on a windy day. There is some traffic but nothing that is too big of a pain to negotiate. Leashes are required, the path is wide crushed and pressed gravel or something. You could easily ride a hybrid and many people do. It is a very pretty ride, not too boring and nothing you could even construe as mountain biking.

Also many mountain bike locations also have fire paths and jeep trails outside the singletrack. That is something fun, slightly challenging but doesn't really require mountain bike skills. Even hard packed singletrack can be fun for a beginner and you can just walk anything you don't want to do. I still walk a bunch but it is all good. If you ever want to try just find the beginner trails and make sure they know you mean really beginner!

But if you are still timid I understand and highly recommend the hiking. A good hilly hike can really be a great workout, trust me you glutes will remind you the next morning!