Wind weenie

[Catrin]

Now the temps are warming up, very slowly, I can ride more often It is, however, March, and that means wind.

I suspect that many of you would not quibble at the 18-20 mph winds forecast tomorrow, especially since the temps will be around 57

As a relatively new rider, however, I find my body willing to ride with those winds, but my brain says no. I really want to ride tomorrow though, and it is time to start ramping things up a bit. I have certainly ridden in wind before, though perhaps my protracted recovery period in the fall is contributing to my trepidation or, should I say, almost a fear. This is something of a surprise to me...

I am preparing myself by reciting the "wind makes you stronger" mantra. I guess that I am looking for encouragement here, and just checking to make certain that my assumption that 18-20 mph winds aren't actually that bad is correct...

[Becky]

I may not quibble about wind, but I certainly will grumble about it

If you're feeling anxious about it, maybe riding a very familiar route would help? Some place that you know well and are comfortable with....the fewer variables, the better.

Sometimes, when I'm balking at a workout (for whatever reason), I'll tell myself, "Just 5 minutes." I just have to ride or run or swim for 5 minutes, and then I can pack it in. More often than not, that gets me over the hump and I have a great workout. (I do the same thing with housecleaning too- no one will ever compare me to Martha Stewart )

[WindingRoad]

Catrin I don't think some understand just how FLAT Indiana really is in the Indy area, LOL. 18 - 20 MPH wind there has NOTHING to stop it except you. I found since I moved that 20 MPH wind is doable but no WAY would I do that in IN I remember riding out on Nebo Ridge's training route once and I nearly got my wheels blown out from under me AND a dust tornado attacked me and I couldn't see crap! Yeah it doesn't make you weak it makes you smart

[indysteel]

Sometimes I'll talk myself into riding in 20 mph or more winds; sometimes I won't. If it's just going to be a headwind, I can deal with it. Crosswinds not so much. Now that it's mostly just DH and I, I missing riding in larger groups on days like that. Staying in more sheltered areas--like your park--can help, too. I will say that when I have forced myself to just gut it out, I've seen almost an immediate return on the effort. It does make you stronger for sure.

[Catrin]

I hear you Winding Road! I really want to ride in Boone County tomorrow, I am so TIRED of Eagle Creek Park - it is a beautiful treadmill that I can't tolerate for more than 17 miles and I really want to get in at least 25 miles tomorrow. Of course, Boone County is the flattest of the flat, and with nothing growing yet there isn't even corn yet to break the wind...sure there is the occasional very steep "bump" in the road that comes out of nowhere, but that is different

What I am really hoping will happen is the rain won't come tonight as forecast and I can get my ride in after rush hour...but we will see. I will likely still do it tomorrow, and this is once case where I think my 35-pound bike helps me - in the cross-wind!

Indy, we were posting at the same time I seem to find myself more comfortable with cross-winds than head-winds - I think the weight of my bike helps me in the first but not the latter. It will be interesting to see how the Gunnar will feel in these conditions...

[Jiffer]

Well, if it's any consolation, I have wind issues where I live as well. In fact, one of the reasons (just one of many, actually) that I didn't ride the last two days was because of wind. However, I have other perfectly acceptable excuses, the primary one being I am anemic right now. Last time I was anemic a coach told me not to ride at all until I was feeling better for two weeks. However, upon other research, I believe it's fine for me to ride, as long as I don't push myself too hard or long. I'm seeing a doc today, who also happens to be a cyclist, so I'll get the official word from him. But, suffice it to say, I DID plan to ride the past two days and the wind made me say NOPE!

When I am in full training mode (like just a week ago) ... it's easier to conquer the wind. In fact, my last fast ride was a club ride in the wind on a gloomy, cold, windy night (5:00 start time). As I was headed out the door into the cloudy windiness, my husband (also a cyclist) says, "You're brave!" But I was determined to get that ride in. And I did. And after the second half didn't go so good ... and I came home ... alone, against the cold wind, very slowly ... I finally figured out I was anemic. Whoa is me.

So get yourself hyped up and it will be easier to face the wind. When I went out the door a week ago into the windy gloominess, I was thinking about the time trial I wanted to do soon. I had a goal in mind. It helps to have a goal. A reason to get out there when it's not so fun.

SO FIND YOUR RIDING IN THE WIND MOJO AND GO GET 'ER DONE!!!

[indysteel]

Indy, we were posting at the same time I seem to find myself more comfortable with cross-winds than head-winds - I think the weight of my bike helps me in the first but not the latter. It will be interesting to see how the Gunnar will feel in these conditions...

One advantage I have in headwinds over you is that I can (and do) get down in my drops.

[Mr. Bloom]

No, it's APRIL!

[emily_in_nc]

We have a wind advisory in NC tomorrow from 9 am to 6 pm. They are saying sustained 25-30 mph winds with gusts to 40-45! Of course my DH will want to ride, and I'm thinking... really? Couldn't we get blown into a car? I'm just not sure...as much as I want to ride, I'm hesitant.

I guess we'll see how things go.

[indysteel]

We have a wind advisory in NC tomorrow from 9 am to 6 pm. They are saying sustained 25-30 mph winds with gusts to 40-45! Of course my DH will want to ride, and I'm thinking... really? Couldn't we get blown into a car? I'm just not sure...as much as I want to ride, I'm hesitant.

I guess we'll see how things go.

No offense, but your DH is nuts! Of course, I mean that in the nicest of ways!

[Catrin]

No offense, but your DH is nuts! Of course, I mean that in the nicest of ways!

I agree with Indy on this one, wind gusts that high would mean my bike stays home

I will ride tomorrow, it looks like the winds will "only" be around 17-18 and I know that I can handle that. If the winds, or wind gusts =>25mph I stay at home or go hiking....

[emily_in_nc]

No offense, but your DH is nuts! Of course, I mean that in the nicest of ways!

LOL! But you are right, of course. I am hoping that it will be gusting high enough in the morning that he will realize the error of his ways. I really don't want to leave home and get out there and THEN have the gusting commence!

Assuming we don't ride, we'll do a combo walk/bus ride to do our Farmer's market & food co-op shopping. We always do this on Saturday mornings that are too cold or rainy to ride to the markets.

[marni]

put your riding clothes where you can see them as you wake up. Put all your breakfast fixngs out the night before. Pick a route with a couple of cop out points where you can either take a break and get a snack, or change directions, or call the ride. Promise yourself that you will do 10 miles at least. Ignore speed, spin easy and do it, you will probably find that you have another 10 or 15 miles in you or that you are enjoying the route and the day and the other people. I know you said it was flat and had no trees, but maybe consider changing your route to one which has a few trees or buildings as wind breaks? Pick a route that makes you ride into the wind on the way out, that way if you do an out and back, the wind can waft you home.

Once you are out, get the bit in your teeth (figuratively) and decide you aren't going to let the wind beat you.

I ride the Texas prairies which are also flat, treeless and windy. These are coping mechanisms that seem to work for me.

If you decide not to ride, do something else and don't beat yourself up about.

[Catrin]

Thanks everyone! I've decided to ride, but to wait for the cooler evening. The winds, they say, will drop like a rock around 6pm, so that is when I will ride. It won't be as warm & will have to break out tights and wool layers, but I won't have to deal with 22mph winds (they raised them). Tomorrow will be the same, so will just head out at 8am and be a little late for church...

As much as I would love to ride in the 67 temps tomorrow afternoon, I just don't want to deal with the 22 mph winds...but we will see if the forecasters change their mind - which they seem to do every 3.5 nanoseconds this time of the year.

[TrekTheKaty]

We also have a wind advisory for "25-35 gust 40-50--secure you lawn furniture!" tomorrow. It's a bummer because it's supposed to be 80!

We did a leisurely 20 today (on the new section of the Katy Trail--had to elbow our way through the ribbon cutting--ON YOUR LEFT!) When we got home, my new Louis Garneau shorts were in the mailbox.

DH says, "Oh good. You can wear them on the Trailnet ride tomorrow." I should also point out it is in the river flats where it's windy even when it's not supposed to be windy!

As a pilot, I have to ask: it's possible to go backwards in an airplane. Can you go backwards on a bicycle?