WIND WIND WIND=run run run?

[letsride89]

Alright. I have been riding since about May. I ride about 100+ miles a week, just did the ms150, and am loving my bike =)

Here's the deal.
I HATE WIND.
I'm sorry, i know it's probably great conditioning, but i find it so unpleasant that it just makes me not want to ride.

so, is it time to start running?
I have never been much of a runner. I played soccer for 12 years, but that's it. Yesterday, the fall weather brought the wind so i decided to go on a run, expecting to only run around the block once...but i ended up doing 2 miles and not being too tired at the end.

best of all, the wind didn't bother me.

are any of you fair weather cyclists? anyone switch it up to running? talk to me girls...maybe you have more ideas or something

[xeney]

Ah, see, I hate running in the wind, too. I seem to always get stuff in my eyes even with sunglasses on -- the helmet + sunglasses combination is more protective than just the glasses alone. Maybe I need a hat (but it would probably blow off).

I do all of my running and biking these days with a Chariot trailer/jogging stroller, and I think I prefer pulling it into the wind to pushing it into the wind. So I'm saving running for wet days and continuing to ride in the wind.

Yesterday the wind was so bad that I ran out of gears in my middle ring and wound up downshifting to the little ring, even though it's completely flat here. I felt like a dummy riding the last 8 miles in the granny gear, but it actually increased my speed by almost two miles an hour so it was the right thing to do.

Running, cycling, whichever: I think it's great that you aren't letting the weather keep you inside!

[letsride89]

i'm glad i'm not alone out there!!!

yes, the wind does make me shift to the granny gear, too...i feel so horrible some days i take my computer and turn it off just so i can't see how SLOW i am going lol

it does help not being able to see how pathetic i am.

im no treadmill girl, won't see me on one!

[Aggie_Ama]

I find running in the wind also sucks. I don't like cycling in the wind either. I do enjoy running and cycling but neither would I trade off for the other if the wind was higher.

My preference? To mountain bike on a sheltered (Read: lots of trees) trail or hike. I don't like to the let the weather keep me from being outside, I just modify my activity.

[letsride89]

great idea! you are amazing for even attempting mntn biking. maybe one day ill get up enough courage. but until then, kudos to you!!!

[xeney]

Mountain biking doesn't have to mean lots of crazy downhills or technical stuff! It can just mean dirt roads, depending on what kind of terrain you have available. I sometimes take my mountain bike out onto the levee trail here on windy days -- it's not a very exciting ride, but the cross winds bother me less on my very heavy mountain bike than they do on my road bike, which sometimes feels like it's going to blow sideways.

[KeepingUp]

I hate the wind as well. Living in California with all the mountains, the dirt kicks up and covers the city. Everything ends up in my eyes and I can feel the dirt on my face. If I'm running or cycling with the wind feels better. The wind will actually give me a push.

[Aggie_Ama]

Mountain biking doesn't have to mean lots of crazy downhills or technical stuff! It can just mean dirt roads, depending on what kind of terrain you have available. I sometimes take my mountain bike out onto the levee trail here on windy days -- it's not a very exciting ride, but the cross winds bother me less on my very heavy mountain bike than they do on my road bike, which sometimes feels like it's going to blow sideways.

Exactly, here we have a 5 mile MUT that would be great on a windy day. There is some traffic but nothing that is too big of a pain to negotiate. Leashes are required, the path is wide crushed and pressed gravel or something. You could easily ride a hybrid and many people do. It is a very pretty ride, not too boring and nothing you could even construe as mountain biking.

Also many mountain bike locations also have fire paths and jeep trails outside the singletrack. That is something fun, slightly challenging but doesn't really require mountain bike skills. Even hard packed singletrack can be fun for a beginner and you can just walk anything you don't want to do. I still walk a bunch but it is all good. If you ever want to try just find the beginner trails and make sure they know you mean really beginner!

But if you are still timid I understand and highly recommend the hiking. A good hilly hike can really be a great workout, trust me you glutes will remind you the next morning!

[michelem]

I wouldn't trade one for the other on really windy days. I'd stick the bike on the trainer or go to the gym and run on the treadmill (that being said, I did 18.7 miles on the treadmill last night as the winds were gusting up to 30mph). I absolutely hate riding on the trainer and running on the treadmill, but not as much as riding or running in the wind.

[emily_in_nc]

I much prefer hiking, trail runs, or mountain biking on windy days to road riding. Being protected by the trees is very helpful. I used to road ride a lot in the winter (when it's both windier and colder), and the constant runny nose and crying eyes took a lot of the fun out of it for me.

[redrhodie]

If I didn't ride in the wind, I'd never ride. I used to hate it, now I kind of like it. Here are some things I've learned that might make it better:

First thing you want to do is not wear a windbreaker. Wear the tightest jersey you have instead. You don't want anything that will create drag. Tuck in tight on the bike. You know how Dave Z. looks riding a time trial? You want to look like that (or at least feel like you look like that )--aerodynamic. I usually ride in the drops when it's a head or cross wind. If I have a tailwind, I'll sit more upright to let the wind push me.

Then, you need to imagine that you're moving forward with every pedal stroke. Focus on the momentum forward. Tell yourself you're moving forward. Lie if you need to.

I used to have a computer. Seeing that you're only going 12mph on a stretch of road you usually ride 16 on is defeating. Put your computer on something other than speed.

Next time you're bike shopping, try test riding on windy days. Some frames are better in the wind than others. My first bike was awful in the wind. I couldn't believe how much better my new bike was when I got it. It slices through the wind like a sail.

Riding in the wind is kind of a lot like climbing. You get stronger the more you do it, but some days are just too windy. If tree branches are falling, it's most likely dangerous. If the trees are just blowing, and there's not a lot of debris falling, go for it.

Edit to add: wear something over your ears! Hearing the wind loudly makes it worse. I wear a headband to dampen the sound.

[indysteel]

If I didn't ride in the wind, I'd never ride. I used to hate it, now I kind of like it. Here are some things I've learned that might make it better:

First thing you want to do is not wear a windbreaker. Wear the tightest jersey you have instead. You don't want anything that will create drag. Tuck in tight on the bike. You know how Dave Z. looks riding a time trial? You want to look like that (or at least feel like you look like that )--aerodynamic. I usually ride in the drops when it's a head or cross wind. If I have a tailwind, I'll sit more upright to let the wind push me.

Then, you need to imagine that you're moving forward with every pedal stroke. Focus on the momentum forward. Tell yourself you're moving forward. Lie if you need to.

I used to have a computer. Seeing that you're only going 12mph on a stretch of road you usually ride 16 on is defeating. Put your computer on something other than speed.

Next time you're bike shopping, try test riding on windy days. Some frames are better in the wind than others. My first bike was awful in the wind. I couldn't believe how much better my new bike was when I got it. It slices through the wind like a sail.

Riding in the wind is kind of a lot like climbing. You get stronger the more you do it, but some days are just too windy. If tree branches are falling, it's most likely dangerous. If the trees are just blowing, and there's not a lot of debris falling, go for it.

Edit to add: wear something over your ears! Hearing the wind loudly makes it worse. I wear a headband to dampen the sound.

Same here. When I first started riding, the wind really got me down, but the stronger I've gotten, the more riding into the wind has become a game for me. And the more I've ridden in the wind, the stronger I've gotten. I don't love it, but it's windy enough here all year round that I finally made peace with it. I won't ride if it's truly dangerous, but otherwise, I try to suck it up. Add cold temps to it, however, and I'd rather run or spin.

[Aggie_Ama]

I used to hate it, now I kind of like it.

You're a sick one Red.

[letsride89]

ahh yes, i have noticed that the sound of the wind just makes it THAT much crappier.

[emily_in_nc]

If I didn't ride in the wind, I'd never ride.

Actually, I don't mind riding in the wind that much unless it's a COLD wind. Big difference between a COLD wind and a warm wind!

I am quite petite so above a certain wind speed, I used to (when I was road riding all the time) practically be blown off the road in a crosswind -- kinda dangerous.

I gotta say, though: TAILWINDs rule!