Traffic vs Headwind

[Mburton1993]

Will be going on a bike ride this weekend, longish, and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on which is less bad.

Sunday: where they’ll probably be less traffic but eventually there’ll be a 10mph headwind with 20mph gusts.

Saturday: where they’ll probably be more traffic but only a 6mph cross wind with 13mph gusts.

I know you could do with more info but I’m looking for a general answer to less traffic/more wind or more traffic/less wind on a long bike ride.

 

[vickster]

You do realise the weather can change and isn't 100% accurate

 

[Mburton1993]

You do realise the weather can change and isn't 100% accurate

Yep, but I have been keeping an eye on it over the week and to be fair to the Met Office it's been keeping pretty consistent, granted the wind speeds will probably move around abit till the day.

I more just wanted to know on a long bike ride what's preferable less traffic or less headwind.

 

[Dolorous Edd]

I'd go for less traffic every time. A pleasant ride is more important that a higher average speed.

 

[fossyant]

Less traffic easy ! Wind is there what ever and it never really factors into whether I ride or not.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What we say is of no consequence. It’s down to your own preferences. You won’t get an answer online.

 

[HMS_Dave]

Depends on the road. I'd wager traffic is more predictable than the weather. However, i'd just go out whichever day makes better sense for you and not rely on either the traffic or the weather for my decision...

 

[vickster]

I'd go for less traffic every time. A pleasant ride is more important that a higher average speed.

This Traffic will slow you down more than the wind and you'll get a better workout in the wind if that's your intention (if not it doesn't matter)

 

[markemark]

Neither would be a consideration. I just cycle at a time that is most convenient.

 

[Brandane]

Saturday night. Less traffic, less wind.
But first off, I would get that saddle level .

 

[CXRAndy]

Choose less traffic

Be aware, this time if year and similarly spring time, the sun is low in the sky until later late morning.

Set off later to avoid not being seen by low sun

 

[Mburton1993]

Saturday night. Less traffic, less wind.
But first off, I would get that saddle level .

Ha, yes since that photo the saddle angle has been calmed down.

 

[vickster]

Ride west on the way out and east on the way home if considering the sun

 

[Chislenko]

Just do a circle, at some point, if you are lucky, you may just get a tail wind.

NB. Tailwinds are a very rare phenomenon in my experience!

 

[Sharky]

All my rides now are loops, start & finish from home, so winds balance out.
Traffic - tend to avoid the busy roads, but quiet country roads can be lethal, with bad surfaces, dogs running out and horse riders taking the full width of the roads.