Cycle routes - how do you find yours?

[ColinJ]

That is of course one tactic. Take the train one way and ride with a tailwind all day.

Assuming that the wind direction doesn't change...

I have done long circular loops on windy days where it felt like I had a headwind all day!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Assuming that the wind direction doesn't change...

Well you look at the forecast for as long as you intend to be out.

 

[ColinJ]

Well you look at the forecast for as long as you intend to be out.

I have done long circular loops on windy days where it felt like I had a headwind all day, and...



... that had not been forecast!


I think what actually happened was that I had headwinds (or crosswinds that felt almost as bad) for most of the route and then the wind shifted round to an unfavourable direction fof the remaining part.

 

[geocycle]

Almost all my rides begin and end at home. I only deploy the train option when very strong winds would have put me off riding at all. Being on the west coast I can only head inland so this wheeze is limited to strong westerlies!

 

[mjr]

Well you look at the forecast for as long as you intend to be out.

Awww, cute! This one still believes in Santa the reliability of weather forecasts!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Assuming that the wind direction doesn't change...

I have done long circular loops on windy days where it felt like I had a headwind all day!

An againsterly wind.

 

[T4tomo]

An againsterly wind.

Indeed, unless the wind is pretty much directly behind you, and stronger than your cruising speed, then it always fees like its a cross or headwind (or no wind) so in any given direction of travel you have a say <12.5% chance of feeling any benefit of a tailwind.

 

[wakemalcolm]

I've tried using OS maps on my laptop and they drive me up the wall, either you zoom in to see the detail and lose the wider context, or you zoom out and lose the detail. Give me paper maps any day.

Why not achieve the same effect by moving your chair forwards and backwards from your screen?

 

[VinSumRox]

We know most of the local routes and we are lucky as we can cycle in pretty much any direction on quiet roads so the wind direction helps decide.
Only do premapped routes if going a bit further afield or touring. Nab routes off friends and Strava for new localish routes.
I use Cycle Travel for new one way routes and if we need to reroute when on a tour.

 

[wafter]

I used to make them up as I went along until one day I found myself on a very busy dual carriageway and that scared me. That’s when I decided to buy a Garmin cycling SatNav that allows me to meticulously plan new routes paying careful attention to the types of road.

[Edit] PS. In addition to avoiding busy dual carriageways I also need to avoid tracks which would be unsuitable for road bike wheels.

Personally I favour the middle ground of winging it with the safety net of the sat nav