Hi all. I'm fairly new to cycling and am training for my first MS 150 (although I'm only doing 60 miles). I live in a very rural/agricultural area that is so windy we have wind farms nearby. I am also only a few miles from Lake Huron, wo we have some lake effect winds at times. I try to plan my routes to have a head wind at the beginning of my ride and a tail wind at the end, but it always seems like the wind shifts as I ride, especially the longer rides. Yesterday when I was riding the wind was at 12 mpg with gusts up to 18mph. It's a wonder I was even moving at times. I drop my gear down and it helps for a bit, but I feel like I'm going up a giant mountain. Anyone else feel this way? Any suggestions?
I have the same problem it seems. I commute to work and in the morning there is no wind, but on the way home there is almost always a headwind, especially if it's sunny. The warmer the weather the harder the wind!
That said I'd still rather bike to work than drive.
I use to get defeated by the wind, but then I read a comparission between wind and climbing. Basically, every 10 mph of headwind is equivalent to 1% road grade. So 20 mph headwinds on a 2% grade is more like climbing a 4% grade.
For me understanding the effect mentally made it much easier to downshift and keep spinning. Don't try and grind it out, just go into a rhythm climbing mode (try a nice easy gear and a cadence as high as 95-105) and know everyone is struggling the same.
Wind used to really be an issue for me. But, the more I figured out about shifting gears, the better I got at dealing with wind. High cadence is defintely the solution. Try pedaling a gear that almost feels too easy when the wind gets bad. It really works. You'll be able to cut through the wind a lot faster in no time. Also, pedaling at a high cadence helps to improve your endurance base and makes you faster in the long run.
Thanks for all the words of wisdom. GateofZion.. I have to admit, I like your idea best about the bike sail. Might defeat the purpose of riding though...lol.
I do down shift when the wind is bad, and try to keep my cadence up. It definitely helps. I also have been trying to keep my profile low as much as possible in the wind, and might feel an miniscule difference. Still hate wind though.
Wind, hills, and rain - those are my least favorite elements. The mentions about spinning/cadence and choosing a gear that's comfortable for your legs to help you go the distance.
One thing I didn't see in the previous notes was "getting low" when you ride. I try to get as low as possible (while maintaining control). For me that means either being down in the "drops" of my handlebars or stretched out on my brakehoods. Clothing also plays heavy in my mind too.
When I was doing more road racing I would sometimes put my time-trail bar on to ride in an aerodynamic position. It took some getting use to ride because it is so-o-o narrow.
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