How do you deal with the wind?

[lklarsen]

I'm a relatively small woman, new to cycling. I generally do long rides on the weekends, but lately we have had a ton of wind. It really makes me nervous when a gust of wind catches my bike and actually moves me around. (I'm nervous enough about the speed, the hills & the clipless pedals - I don't need anything else!)

My question is - how should I handle these wind gusts? Slow down, stay steady, push ahead?? Last weekend, I kept stopping and eventually gave up and went home. Unfortunately, the wind isn't going anywhere, so I need to learn how to better deal with it.

Thanks!!
Lisa

[aicabsolut]

It helps me to push a harder gear. That chain tension helps me keep the bike stable. As for speed, it depends. Going a little bit slower is a natural reaction when you feel you need to brace your whole body against a crosswind, IMO, and helps with the chain tension part. But then your bike wants to stay straight and upright when you've got some forward momentum. So, if you are worried about losing your front wheel out from under you due to a big gust, then keeping a relatively normal speed will help you with that kind of stability.

This is from experience in winds of 35-40mph or higher (which is about my upper tolerance for wind gusts on a bike). Although annoying, lighter winds won't require as much speed or gearing adjustment because it's easier to just lean into the wind.

[FunSize]

I too feel that pushing a harder gear makes me feel a little more stable. Also, It just takes time to get used to the bike and understanding that it won't just fly out from under you. I'm still learning that. I'm also very petite so when the wind comes i move all over the place because of it. It's just kind of a fact that crosswinds always suck.

On one of my first couple of rides me, my bf, and his friend got caught in a crazy storm. we were on a busy road with NO shoulder and the rain was so hard that we couldn't see. The wind was pushing me all over the road and I'm just panicking thinking that these dumbass drivers are going to hit me because they're passing us on a double yellow line, single lane per side road! It was NOT a fun introduction to cycling. However, now normal wind doesn't scare me as much. rainy, lightning, slippery road, and stupid drivers, with wind still does.

[PamNY]

For straight on headwind, I usually drop a gear because I find it less annoying. But that's personal preference, not a rule with universal validity.

For gusts, I agree momentum helps keep you upright. In gusty winds, be careful when starting or stopping. I feel more vulnerable if I'm not moving or if I am moving slowly.

If it's too windy or gusty, I stay home -- usually over 35-40 keeps me in.

[ame]

I drop down and forward over the front wheel, which I think gives me a bit more stability on it, and I move up a gear like the other ladies, dropping my cadence from about 85-90 to around 78-82. That seems to be the golden zone for me - stability without bothering the knee.

[SheFly]

the other thing to remember is to NOT have a death grip on the bike. Try to keep a more relaxed grip/hold. Too much tension and you are fighting the wind, and actually making it easier to be pushed around.

SheFly (caught in 40+ mph gust on TT bike with disc wheel traveling downhill this summer, and survived to tell the tale!)

[PscyclePath]

Good advice from all of the above... Just keep repeating to yourself, "The wind is my friend... it makes me stronger."

(brought to you by the same coach who keeps telling you that pain is only a sign of weakness leaving your body) ;-)