It's not in my head

[SadieKate]

Eden, out and backs on the same course, especially in any type of valley, always do that. It's the adabatic winds (I think that's the right term). As the air heats up and the pressure changes, the winds will come up a valley when they were going down the valley in the morning. The Napa Valley is notorious for this. So many of the century rides in that area end by going south and downhill down the Valley but it's brutal because of the headwind. Same on Mt. Hamilton. You shouldn't have to work that hard on a descent.

[Zen]

Hmmm. My favorite out and back is in a valley...

[xeney]

I suppose if I changed to a route that went the other direction I could have a constant tailwind??? Never seems to work that way.

Nah, when that happens, you never think to be grateful for the constant tailwind. You just think, man, I'm fast.

[Flybye]

I purposely rode with a tail wind on my 40 miler on Mother's Day Sunday. I had my husband and kids pick me up at destinations end, my mom's house. I took a shower, stretched, and visited and then we all went out for mother's day dinner. One of those GREAT ride days.

You are right, man, are we fast on those days - and in GREAT shape too

I can't imagine having a head wind every direction. Bawling. Crying. Throwing a fit.

[lauraelmore1033]

Nah, when that happens, you never think to be grateful for the constant tailwind. You just think, man, I'm fast.

I've done that; Suddenly, I'll have picked up 3-5 extra mph on a course I regularly do and I'll think, "Gee, I'm getting good at this!", and then when I turn around to come back the wind smacks me in the face and I realize I'm not actually getting good at it...

[maillotpois]

Thanks so much for proving we're not crazy!!!

[SadieKate]

Oh no. I only proved that I'm not crazy. The jury is still out on the rest of you.

[smilingcat]

I've more or less given up on catching the ever elusive tail wind. I don't think there are such things.

Shawn