Blowin" in the wind

[oldborn]

This is something that you can not hide from it, wright? What are yours techniques to overcome that nasty wind. I mean head/cross wind riding, geting more aero, higher or lower cadence, concentrate and try to push yourself out of there. For me this is a pure pain, and it can be dangereus with realy strong cross winds. I am interesting to hear from you.

 

[lostintime]

A heavy wind is much like climbing, pick a gear you can sustain without blowing up and ride. The only "technique" involved is choosing the right gear, and that varies from person to person. Myself, that means spinning a lower gear. It's a blow to the ego though, isn't it? You're only in what gear? .... going how slow? This is just negative mind crap, that has no bearing on the present moment.

I don't fight the wind anymore, because I never have, and never will win against it. I think of it like sailing into the wind I guess . . . . just find a gear I can spin comfortably and slice my way. The body is going to sway in crosswinds, so I go with the flow. If you've ever ridden rollers and had someone try to bump you off, you learn pretty quickly how to keep a relatively straight line, even though you're being pushed.

 

[Head wind into the valley]

In my parts, more so at this time of year riding into 40k an hour head winds most days takes it toll, but it will only make you stronger, oh and smash the big gears!

 

[Tapeworm]

In the drops, try to chew the stem, check that the watts are where they should be and hope others suffer more.

 

[usedtobefast]

in addition to the above comments, sometimes when the Santa Ana wind is really howling, i just yell at it. does the wind care? no. but it gives me motivation.

 

[oldborn]

in addition to the above comments, sometimes when the Santa Ana wind is really howling, i just yell at it. does the wind care? no. but it gives me motivation.

Me too....

 

[STODRR]

This is something that you can not hide from it, wright? What are yours techniques to overcome that nasty wind. I mean head/cross wind riding, geting more aero, higher or lower cadence, concentrate and try to push yourself out of there. For me this is a pure pain, and it can be dangereus with realy strong cross winds. I am interesting to hear from you.

This is one of the reasons I really like a power meter. Just keep your watts where you wanted to keep them for the ride (or section of ride) and go. I ride based on time and wattage not mileage. A couple of caveats:

I find I do use a little bit of more energy during heavy crosswinds because of fighting the bike a little bit.

I also have a tendency to not relax the power during a gust of wind knowing the wind will ease in a second. You can use this for simulating the surges in a race but if you are trying to work in a specific power band, it might compromise the interval a little bit.

 

[oldborn]

This is one of the reasons I really like a power meter. Just keep your watts where you wanted to keep them for the ride (or section of ride) and go. I ride based on time and wattage not mileage. A couple of caveats:

I find I do use a little bit of more energy during heavy crosswinds because of fighting the bike a little bit.

I also have a tendency to not relax the power during a gust of wind knowing the wind will ease in a second. You can use this for simulating the surges in a race but if you are trying to work in a specific power band, it might compromise the interval a little bit.

I wish a have a power meter

 

[RedheadDane]

Headwind: A mix between standing up to get more "power" and bowing down to avoid the wind...

Sidewind: Struggling to keep the bike in the direction I want it to go! Those pesky sidewinds coming from around house corners evil!

 

[Cyclestar]

I get the train instead Hate the cold!

 

[tubularglue]

first to mind:
find trees
second:
hills/trees
I am coastal, always windy

 

[Polyarmour]

My race last weekend blew apart because of the wind. The guys who did well in it were all skinny small guys with good low body positions on the bike. The big guys got blown right out of the race. I spent too much time trying to find shelter behind others, meanwhile the small skinny guys were attacking up front and creating gaps that had to be bridged into the wind. Then the guy in front of you would give up creating an even bigger gap that had to be bridged.

So I'd say make sure you small and skinny and low on the bike. And if you're not, stay right up front behind those who are and don't let them get away from you. It's better to be a bit exposed to the wind than having to bridge a gap into it.

 

[usedtobefast]

My race last weekend blew apart because of the wind. The guys who did well in it were all skinny small guys with good low body positions on the bike. The big guys got blown right out of the race. I spent too much time trying to find shelter behind others, meanwhile the small skinny guys were attacking up front and creating gaps that had to be bridged into the wind. Then the guy in front of you would give up creating an even bigger gap that had to be bridged.

So I'd say make sure you small and skinny and low on the bike. And if you're not, stay right up front behind those who are and don't let them get away from you. It's better to be a bit exposed to the wind than having to bridge a gap into it.

sorry, i am one of those guys. you are forced to get as low as possible, because otherwise you are off the road as well. we get some major wind in southern California. i have some ex teammates and we still laugh/cry about about a Thanksgiving Day training ride of 20 years ago. in the flat you were in the 42x19 just killing yourself to stay on the road and hoping the other two buddies did the same. it made for a great story,and we did burn a hella calories.

 

[oldborn]

But guys you must admit that tail wind is something priceless, especially going home thinking how fast are you and progress being made
Well Poly i am skinny guy too with some huge legs muscles due weights......

 

[NickBVK]

Elbows in, head and back lower and drop to a gear that allows you to keep the consistent pedaling.

If training can also be good to do some intervals and really attack the wind, takes alot out of you but will only make you stronger.

 

[Polyarmour]

But guys you must admit that tail wind is something priceless, especially going home thinking how fast are you and progress being made
Well Poly i am skinny guy too with some huge legs muscles due weights......

Well I won't enter a squat competition against you then.