When is the wind too strong?

[spokewench]

I live in Flagstaff. If I didn't ride in the wind I would not ride!

Our Spring and our Fall and part of our Summer - oh, and our winters are windy!

Spring especially. So I ride cause I have to in the wind. I've been in some really strong gusts - once when I first got my really light Giant TCR with radially spoked aero wheels, I got blown from the middle of hte road (yes I was riding on the double yellow cause the wind was so strong.) It (Cross Wind of all Cross-winds) blew me all the way to the edge of the road in one spot where I don't even want to guess what the mph wind gusts were. They were steady at 45-50 so the gust was like being in a tornado!

I don't recommend it - it was really scarey

[annie]

It is the gusts that are the most scary!! Especially if it's a crosswind. I will face a headwind of 20-30 mph and be ok. It's tough, but I feel safe enough. When it's gusts of 30 or more, and a crosswind, then I don't think it's safe out on the road. Too easy to get blown into traffic. I'd rather go off-road, in the trees and be protected from the wind.

Annie

[TsPoet]

It's official, I'm a wimp.
You guys are my windy heroes, I'll just cheer you on.

[BeeLady]

OK OK - weather predicts 10 mph winds tommorrow and I was considering putting off my ride but after seeing the posts from you dedicated cyclists I realize I can't wimp out. I had a bad wind experience some months ago and really rode way past my comfort zone. Don't want to do that again for awhile.

It use to be hills - but hills have a downside where I can recover if needed. Hills are my friend now. But wind, depending on my relation to it, can just go on and on and on and wear me out. I'll remember the wind tunnel comparison next time (tomorrow?) and just be glad I'm not being billed by the minute for my headwind.

[cosc]

The wind in SD probably averages 20 or so. The road bike I bought last summer seems to blow around too much in a crosswind. Mabe my thicker spokes and v-shaped rims contribute to this problem. Anyone have any experience with how rims and spoke can affect handling of a bike.

[violette]

If I'm peddling forward but am going backwards, it's a sign to park the bike!

Another Smart$#@ !!

[missymaya]

The end of winter and through spring here usually gets really windy, gusts up to 30+, especially as the day goes on. Once, I decided to go riding on the road on this beautiful but what I thought was a slightly windy day.There was a pretty tough cross wind and I thought "I can do it, this is nothing" then, I reached down for some water and the wind hit me and off the road I went (well my bike actually) I went the opposite direction, skidding across the pavement. Fortunately, there wasn't any traffic or I would be road pancake I road home slowly with a bruised ego and bloody knees and elbows. Now, I stick to the paths on windy days! Mother nature tought me a thing or 2 that day!