Headwinds: Your thoughts

[DNJNS]

Hi guys,
I'm doing a uni project at the moment looking at the effects of headwinds on commuting cyclists and although i'm a keen cyclist myself I don't commute enough or know enough commuters to ask what they feel about headwinds on their commute, hense why i'm here .

So, what do you think of headwinds on your daily commute and do you have different routes or methods to try and avoid them?

Cheers!

 

[Matthew_T]

I cannot avoid a headwind on my commute. It just varies in intensity.I have a fixed route with no way of avoiding wind.
The weather website I use lists wind in knots and the direction it is going. So if it is anything over 15 knots then I wont ride as I know I will be very tired when I get there and my bike weighs too much for me to do any better.

If I am just going out for a training ride, I will cycle in anything up to 30 knots as my bike is lighter and I can plan my route around the wind.

(BTW 15 knots is about 12mph).

 

[mangid]

Hi guys,
I'm doing a uni project at the moment looking at the effects of headwinds on commuting cyclists and although i'm a keen cyclist myself I don't commute enough or know enough commuters to ask what they feel about headwinds on their commute, hense why i'm here .

So, what do you think of headwinds on your daily commute and do you have different routes or methods to try and avoid them?

Cheers!

No methods or routes, just work harder.

Might cut it short if it's a howling gale (gusting 40 knots+), sort of winds that blow you across the road no matter how hard you lean into them.

 

[jonny jeez]

Headwinds are one of my largest considerations when setting out. I don't mind the rain, nor the dark but the wind sometimes makes me want to dust off the motorcycle.

There is little commuter can do to avoid wind, in terms of route changes as they are invariably travelling in a set vector (if not actual route) so if the wind is travelling hard in the opposite direction then all we can do is grin and bear it.

Tucking into a bike helps a little (even more with a drop bar bike)...but not much

 

[4F]

Headwinds = pedal harder.

 

[jonathanw]

Headwind = No KOM

Tailwind = Take KOM and deny any knowledge of even a gentle breeze

 

[tadpole]

Headwinds=bigger burn=me being fitter=

 

[cloggsy]

Tailwind = Take KOM and deny any knowledge of even a gentle breeze

+1

 

[fossyant]

I'll ride in any weather. Headwinds - always a headwind. Take advantage of the tail wind though. Never pay the blindest bit of notice to wind conditions for commuting. It's tougher, that's all and having a fixed gear bike has some advantages (BM will be along to say how bents are faster in a minute).

I might, however, if riding over the Peaks, take notice of how far the trees are bending, as Snake Pass isn't funny coming back from Sheffield side to Manchester in a 40 mph headwind (going over Woodhead at 45 degrees to the road, and a 50mph plus descent were fun, but not the ride home).

 

[fossyant]

I cannot avoid a headwind on my commute. So if it is anything over 15 knots then I wont ride as I know I will be very tired when I get there and my bike weighs too much for me to do any better.(BTW 15 knots is about 12mph).

12mph - god I'd never ride if I took notice of that. I know the wind is an 'ar5e' in N Wales along the coast, but think of the tail wind. You've got gears too. You need some more 'bulk' on your body (stops you getting blown about) ! Youngter whippet !

 

[400bhp]

12mph - god I'd never ride if I took notice of that. I know the wind is an 'ar5e' in N Wales along the coast, but think of the tail wind. You've got gears too. You need some more 'bulk' on your body (stops you getting blown about) ! Youngter whippet !

Exactly, and there are ways of avoiding the full face of the wind. Ride on roads protected by buildings/hedgerows etc.

Sometimes I will do a tacking route though houses if the headwind is really bad.

 

[ianrauk]

Headwinds, a pain in the butt...in regards to the commute have to just get on with it.
Don't pedal harder - just faster. No point knackering oneself to the point of exhaustion.

 

[4F]

Agree with The Foss, no such thing as too windy. Get a fixed and get your head down Rule 5 http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

 

[4F]

Don't pedal harder - just faster.

I was talking about the perspective of riding fixed, harder = faster.

 

[Matthew_T]

12mph - god I'd never ride if I took notice of that. I know the wind is an 'ar5e' in N Wales along the coast, but think of the tail wind. You've got gears too. You need some more 'bulk' on your body (stops you getting blown about) ! Youngter whippet !

Well my bike weighs 17kg stripped but it now has a rack and panniers on it. Combined they weigh about 10kg. So the whole weight of the bike is 27kg! It is not fun to ride and I have many steep but short hills on my commute.
I also just dont like the wind at all. I love it when it is summer and the soaring heat (well not quite this year) and there is no wind at all. It means I can average 19/20mph everywhere.
Full panniers push my average down to 16mph on a good day. This morning I was averaging 15 to college and 17 back. Headwinds are not fun.