How windy is too windy.

[andrew_s]

I've often wondered why there are no airspeed gauges for bikes - maybe there are.....

There are handheld meters.
The Skywatch Meteos has a tripod thread on the bottom and hence would lend itself to being mounted off the front of the handlebars.
It's also omnidirectional, and hence doesn't need pointing at the wind in the event of strong crosswinds.

Occasional strong winds can be entertaining, provided you're fit enough to cope with the extra work.
One I do remember was a 200k audax that had reports of a barn blowing across the road, and some riders being blown clear across the A420 (Chippenham to Marshfield) onto the verge on the other side. I'd taken a diversionary route in the lanes, so only had about 400 m of the A420 to do.
I've also found a tree across the road that wasn't there earlier in the ride.

Generally, larger riders cope better than smaller ones.

 

[Milzy]

Three of my club mates went out into the gales yesterday. They seemed to really enjoy it. I get the impression they get a feel good factor about been 'tough' but to me it's stupid because been on the road is already dangerous enough on a calm good weather day.
I'm watching Mike Cotty on the Col Collective desperate to venture out. It's a good job I like indoor training.

 

[mjr]

The road is dangerous? Are you in Chile or summat?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Unless the winds are over 70mph and gusting up to 100 mph it doesn’t affect you all that much other than slowing you down.

 

[rivers]

I rode in my club's 10 mile TT yesterday. The last half was straight into the wind, and it was tough. I don't like my carbon bike in the wind...

 

[PaulSB]

Too windy is when you don't feel comfortable/confident. For me that is 25mph+ with gusts.

I don't set out under those circumstances.

 

[HLaB]

Depends on the terrain, I wouldn't cycle over the Forth Road Bridge in gusts over 30mph but Ive cycled in the Trossachs in gusts of 120mph

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Depends on the terrain, I wouldn't cycle over the Forth Road Bridge in gusts over 30mph but Ive cycled in the Trossachs in gusts of 120mph

You just have to make sure the wind is blowing you in towards the bridge. On the Severn bridge you ride on the appropriate side depending which side the wind is blowing from.

 

[mjr]

You just have to make sure the wind is blowing you in towards the bridge. On the Severn bridge you ride on the appropriate side depending which side the wind is blowing from.

Whereas at Avonmouth, you don't have a choice!

 

[Kryton521]

Coastal? I try and choose the direction of my rides so the wind throws me into the verge rather than into oncoming traffic. Got it wrong once and found myself heading straight for a very large volvo! Not funny!

 

[Brandane]

If the neighbour's washing is flapping on the line, then it's too windy.
If there is no washing out, then it's too wet.
For me, cycling is a source of enjoyment, not endurance. I'm too old for that nonsense .

 

[Mo1959]

Soon as it gets into double figures I find it hard going so don’t venture far.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Soon as it gets into double figures I find it hard going so don’t venture far.

That would be most days though!

 

[All uphill]

I'm not sure I can remember how to cycle in still air.

I'll probably fall off.

 

[dodgy]

Unless the winds are over 70mph and gusting up to 100 mph it doesn’t affect you all that much other than slowing you down.

Ha, I've seen that kind of bravado before. It was years ago on Bikeradar and there was a really cold stretch of weather in the UK, forum divided between 'careful wimps' and the 'proper cyclists' who see going out in bad weather as some kind of badge of honour.

2 of the members of that forum suffered broken hips during that weather plus numerous other injuries. I think the thread was locked in the end as some of the 'wimps' came back to get into arguments 🤷‍♂️