ah headwind ... how I love thee

[DrBee]

Actually, I've heard that each 5 mph of headwind is equal to 1% of climb.

Here in the superflat MS Delta I have to come to almost like windy days. If I close my eyes (figuratively), I can imagine that I'm climbing a hill when I'm fighting the wind. It does tend to induce cursing though... but that "downhill" tailwind sure helps improve my mood

[bikerchick68]

what a great post... nice to see someone so politely positive about headwind... I'm certainly not nearly so polite or positive when riding in them!

corsair... dang woman... I'll never complain again about my 2200 ft climb that's part of my commute... why you ask? 'cause mine is sheltered both ways and has NO WIND!

[Brandi]

I had 40 mph winds last week, well gusts. It was probably more like 25. I threw my neck out from it. Or I should say woke up the next day and couldn't look to the left without crying out. But when we came back and the wind was pushing us, WOW! That's why we endure headwinds same reason you climb hill's. to come down the other side! Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!

[KSH]

You prevent the sweat from running into my eyes.
You transform a long gentle climb into a mountainous trial.
You whip the snot from my nostrils preventing drips on my new jersey.
You help me practice creative new strings of swear words.
You make me strong.
And, what a heckuva ride you'll give when I round the bend.



Happy pedaling.

All I know is that when I get to ride WITHOUT a 20-30 MPH headwind... I will be FLYING down the road.

What doesn't kill you... makes you stronger!

I threw my neck out from it. Or I should say woke up the next day and couldn't look to the left without crying out.

I have a bad habit of tensing up my shoulders when I ride in wind. I too had neck pain like that after a windy ride the day before. Now days, I remind myself to not tense up, and I try to move my head around in circles to stretch it out while riding. So far, so good.

[Veronica]

I just gotta ask - do you look up the wind speed in your area, or are you estimating how much wind there is?

Ar 25 mph you should hear whistling in the wires and 38 mph is considered a near gale.

Here's is an interesting site that describes what you experience at various windspeeds.

http://www.flexifoil.com/roughguide/...ind_speeds.php


Also part of the wind you feel when you ride, is apparent wind (a sailing term) a combination of the actual wind and your movement through the air.

V.

[SadieKate]

I've been thinking about this same thing for a while. Because of you I finally found the Beaufort Scale. Thanks, Teach.

I'm getting to like wikipedia. Find all kinds of interesting stuff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale

I like the little pictures on this site.
http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

Then, of course, there is our buddy NOAA.
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lix/html/hailwind.html

[SadieKate]

And, just for Veronica:

Estimating Wind Speed
Almost everyone overestimates wind speed in the mountains. . . . 60 mph-Similar to walking up a steep hill with a sack of rocks on your back

Taken from: http://www.mountainweb.com/learn2cli...earntoclimb=38

[fixedgeargirl]

Estimating Wind Speed
Almost everyone overestimates wind speed in the mountains. . . . 60 mph-Similar to walking up a steep hill with a sack of rocks on your back

How big is the sack?

[Brandi]

got the wind speed off our local weather site bfore we went out the other day. The wind is a major thing around here so you can always find out how fast it is blowing from our local weather site. Anyone else have that?

[Grog]

I check it out every time I leave for a ride. It tends to change direction quite a bit around here (I live by the ocean). I ride in areas that are true wind tunnels, so I always, always have a head or tailwind of 15 km/h, and most often much more (35 is not unusual, 50 has happened a few times recently). I sort of like being mentally prepared for it, otherwise I get discouraged when I find out!

[SadieKate]

I like NOAA graphical site because you can get incredibly detailed info.
http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/gra...tors/index.php

[Jen]

I rode into a headwind at the beach one time that was equal to climbing a steep mountain. In addition, the sand was blowing so hard, I got a free skin abrasion on my face. I'll Never forget it.

[tatormc]

got the wind speed off our local weather site bfore we went out the other day. The wind is a major thing around here so you can always find out how fast it is blowing from our local weather site. Anyone else have that?

When I moved here I always wondered why they talked so much about the wind when giving the weather forcast. They show the map with the direction it's blowing and then how much it will be blowing. Then I started to notice the trees whipping around and the windows creaking due to the wind. Before I ride I always have to check the wind or I might get blown away!

[withm]

I live less than a mile from the ocean so we always have wind. Prevailing winds out of the west 10-15. Can't go east unless you want to swim. The best rides are North/south along Rt. 1 which parallels the ocean anywhere from a couple hundred feet to 1/2 mile from the water. Gusts over 25 can be interesting if you aren't prepared for them and the ones at 35 seem to make me stop, or even feel like I'm going backwards. And at this time of year it gets chilly too. Where is Spring?

[DrBee]

We have sustained winds in the 30mph range here today, with gusts in the 40's. That's what, like a 20% incline. Wahoo! I think I'd be pedaling like mad just to not get blown off my bike in those gusts.