It was blustery today in NC too, though not as bad as what you experienced. DH and I did our "three market" ride (farmer's, food co-op, Trader Joe's), and the headwind sections were brutal. We were almost standing still riding, and the arms of my wind jacket (which are not form-fitting) were flapping around loudly, like a sailboat pointed directly into the wind.
An employee at the food co-op saw me in my cycling garb and asked "how is it riding with that wind out there today?" I told him that it was pretty rough except when it was behind you, and I also mentioned that most of the way home we'd have a tailwind so it could just blow us home. He said "that's the way to do it!" We FLEW home - such fun. Even hills were a breeze in that breeze!
Total of 21.75 miles, my longest of 2011 so far. Temps in the 60s with sunshine. Too nice not to ride, wind or no wind!
Emily
2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow