How much wind can you endure?

[BarbaraAlys]

If the winds are over 20mph we don't go. But, I'm a weak rider. My riding buddy is on a recumbant and even in 15 mph winds she leaves me way behind.

I love it when the wind is so strong that you are going down a good hill, but if you stop peddling you slow down! You would think my weight would be enough momentum!

Barbara

[Miranda]

I'm liking these wind stories, ladies. Whoa, for you gals with the coastal waters near, and wind, Ooooo... it does never die.

[makbike]

I rode a century yesterday and one today. We fought strong headwinds both days and I was particularly miserable today. Winds yesterday were blowing at a steady 18 mph and gusting to close to 30 mph. Today was a bit better (12 mph, gusting to 21 mph). Had I not reserved a room, was not actively participating in the LBC's silly contest and a bit stubborn I would have skipped both days. It was very evident today's winds were taking their toll. Those who rode yesterday and today were exhausted. A nasty headwind or crosswind is very demoralizing in my book. I told a fellow rider today - riding into the wind is like climbing a perpetual hill - it just keeps going. At least with a hill you know there is a top somewhere close - with the wind it only stops beating you up when you get off the bike.

[Miranda]

I rode a century yesterday and one today. We fought strong headwinds both days and I was particularly miserable today. Winds yesterday were blowing at a steady 18 mph and gusting to close to 30 mph. Today was a bit better (12 mph, gusting to 21 mph). Had not reserved a room, be an active participant in the LBC's silly contest and I guess a bit stubborn I would have skipped both days. It was very evident today's winds were taking their toll. Those who rode yesterday and today were exhausted. A nasty headwind or crosswind is very demoralizing in my book. I told a fellow rider today - riding into the wind is like climbing a perpetual hill - it just keeps going. At least with a hill you know there is a top somewhere close - with the wind it only stops beating you up when you get off the bike.

That is an EXCELLENT description!

[Aggie_Ama]

I am a wind weenie. I can handle it but I don't like and I HATE gusting wind. I usually don't voluntarily ride if the wind if sustained at 20 or above. I will only go if it will be a headwind or tailwind, no crosswind. It drives my husband nuts but I just don't feel safe like that.

[bmccasland]

It's almost always windy on the Mississippi River Levee in the afternoons. And the wind switches directions. The river is curvy, so you know every ride will have a head wind, a tail wind, and cross winds. I find I look forward to the river stretches that have large trees growing on the river side of the levee, they break the wind; and I brace myself for the stretches that are more wide open.

I don't know how fast the winds were blowing, but one afternoon the office flags were snapping in the "breeze" and we rode anyway. Thought we were hot stuff with that tail wind, but knew we would pay when we turned around. Instead of our usual 13 mile out, we turned around at 10 miles, and then had to switch leads of the pace line every mile to survive the wind. Did pretty good until about 2 miles left. The gal leading, tiny little thing, speeded up! That's when I fell off the paceline. I just couldn't go any more. Was sooo happy to see the office.

We don't ride when there's lightening.

[Geonz]

Around here our club ride routes are determined by the wind - we ride into it. That doesn't work for supported rides like yesterday's century (welp, 43 miles of it were supported but my bike is my transportation so I rode there & back), but it rather helps on the weekly ones.