Cycling in really windy weather

[AndyRM]

Leave the deep section wheels at home. Made that mistake once, never again.

I wish there was an 'I feel your pain' button.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Anyone got any stories about cycling when it's really windy?My bikes in for a service so I have to go and get it later and cycle it home which is only 7 miles but if it stays windy like it is then it's going to be a challenge!!!!!!

Stories - yep a few...
I've been blown off my bike before now - a fully laden touring bike (whilst over in Northern Ireland). I was literally picked up and toss off it - thankfully some fairy was looking after me that day because it happened in the only section of verge that had no rocks in it and was moss & grass so it was a soft landing and I got up and carried back on cycling, but it was a case of one minute on the bike the next minute lying at the side of the road wondering what happened!
I have also cycled in the far north of Norway (on route 888) when despite 2 wide lanes and next to no traffic across exposed tundra, keeping the bike on the tarmac was almost impossible, let alone the right hand side of the road and there were times when the only way I could stand up was to brace myself against the bike - that was not fun because that was also in torrential rain, we were soaked to the skin from a 400m climb and it was too cold to stop and eat anything more than 2 biscuits and there was absolutely no shelter whatsoever. That is now our 'gauge' for how bad the wind & rain is.

 

[screenman]

Head down and power through.

I once cycled downhill at 6mph in the big ring full speed if that counts as a story?

That is me well and truly confused, please explain.

 

[Hip Priest]

My tips for riding in really strong wind:

1) Work out which direction it is blowing
2) Find a Strava Segment that heads in that direction
3) POWWWWWWEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
4) Call a taxi to take you home

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Yes... a few days ago, there was really strong winds around central London and I could not get above 35mph.. the wind was killing me. I was nearly pushed into an oncoming car because of this stupid wind!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Don't spend any time at all alongside HGVs in gale force wind, accelerate or if you can't do that brake. Especially if said vehicle is moving. If it overtakes you, brake to get it in front ASAP.

Really don't like HGVs in the wind, their enormous profile from the side is like a sail.

I can remember being on the M6 in strong cross winds and the HGV's were using two lanes to travel in a straight line, watching them snake and weave was entertaining, even the little Ford Connect van I was driving was moving round a bit. On the cycling front I remember a ride to Countesthorpe where I flew out but when I turned and the wind became a cross wind I got blown on the grass verge twice and when I turned for home I barely made double figure speeds for the entire ride home.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Well, I DID ride on the pavement for a bit yesterday...

Sorry but it was up one of Sheffield's longer hills - and fairly busy for a road used as a main-ish route with cars parked either side meaning close passes. A headwind coupled with vicious side gusts approaching the top forcing a crawl up on the MTB granny gear, and a trailer behind acting as a big sail - just no forward momentum to counter the side winds.


Then at the top I proceeded to climb ladders and do a temporary repair on a mate's guttering. Which was an interesting combination of wedging the ladder so it couldn't get blown more than 6" sideways, wedging the temporary pipe in place, hanging on to the ladder through the gusts and strapping this temporary pipe in place inbetween blasts of wind.

Then the icy rain whilst I was up there. Which was nice. Not.

 

[glenn forger]

Along Thorpe Road in Norwich there's a row of houses and a high brick wall by River Green westbound, the wall shields you then it stops and if the wind's from the south east you suddenly have to wrestle your bars, you have to grip with all your strength to stay upright, it's dead scary.

 

[L14M]

Yes... a few days ago, there was really strong winds around central London and I could not get above 35mph.. the wind was killing me. I was nearly pushed into an oncoming car because of this stupid wind!

Thats the problem with central london, all the wind reflects off the buildings making it really unpredictable.

 

[numbnuts]

When it's really windy I switch on the light and close the garage door

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

When it's really windy I switch on the light and close the garage door

lol. I'm gonna fight the wind today! I can see the trees outside blowing side to side lol :P

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Thats the problem with central london, all the wind reflects off the buildings making it really unpredictable.

I never thought about that. Nice one.

 

[Kookas]

I can remember being on the M6 in strong cross winds and the HGV's were using two lanes to travel in a straight line, watching them snake and weave was entertaining, even the little Ford Connect van I was driving was moving round a bit. On the cycling front I remember a ride to Countesthorpe where I flew out but when I turned and the wind became a cross wind I got blown on the grass verge twice and when I turned for home I barely made double figure speeds for the entire ride home.

I took a left turn I didn't even want to take the other day because of the wind.

 

[BlackPanther]

Strong winds on the df used to scare me on the last leg of my commute, an unlit national speed limit B road. The 2nd best safety thing you can do is cycle defensively, a good 18 inches-2 feet from the kerb so other road users slow down/give you space. The 1st best thing you could do would be to ride a trike. I don't even notice side winds any more.

 

[Danny Tuff]

Today was a joke! - I had to do sprint training in this mega wind! - Was not impressed! (Deep dish rims too!)