WIND and SAFETY

[gbs]

What are your personal guidelines for
1) safe riding in crosswinds? I think around 30kph.
2) starting a recreational ride? About 20kph for me but unfortunately I see frequent forecasts of 25kph this Spring.

 

[Pblakeney]

If the wind gusts reach 30mph/48kmh then I stay indoors. My others are that the feels like temperature has to be 5C or above to avoid ice; also that it has to be dry on departure with less than a 50% chance of rain.

 

[Webbo2]

What are your personal guidelines for
1) safe riding in crosswinds? I think around 30kph.
2) starting a recreational ride? About 20kph for me but unfortunately I see frequent forecasts of 25kph this Spring.

If stuck to those speeds I’d never go out.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I'll only be concerned about the wind if it's ~40mph+.

My biggest limiter for outdoor riding besides energy levels is usually rain, either forecast in next ~60mins or it's not long stopped raining and so the roads have standing water (because the lanes I ride get covered in gritty muddy water, accelerating drivetrain wear until given a good clean back off the ride)... I've not been out much in the last ~2 weeks since the heatwave and I'm beginning to develop cabin fever!

 

[presta]

If I'm riding at home I'll set off into the wind, and then when I've had enough, I turn round and have the free ride back home. If I'm touring, I can't pick my weather, so I have to take what I'm given. I cycled over Tan Hill once on the way from Grinton to Dufton, with the wind throwing me across the road with every gust. I don't think I've ever decided not to cycle on the strength of the wind, I just pick my route when I can, and get on with when I can't.

When I was touring I often didn't know what the wind speeds were, as I didn't usually have access to a forecast.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Go get some practice.


View: https://youtu.be/VMinwf-kRlA

 

[Shearwater Missile]

That is an odd question to generalise on. A lot depends of where you are cycling. I limit windspeed to around 25mph and gusts 35 perhaps a little higher. The route can play a big factor. If it is windy I will use the country lanes with hedges to my advantage, avoiding busier roads. The last thing you want is to be blown into the path of a car or into a ditch. Each to their own, there are no hard and fast rules. Stay safe regardless.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

My threshold for local recreational rides is gusts of 30kn (35 mph).

Same for both tadpole recumbent and upright DF bike. A lot of hedges with gates and for side winds the hedges shelter but you get a nasty sudden side gust passing the gates. But the main reason is riding into strong gusts can get hard work and headwind sections end up being no fun.

Also if rain likely I don't head out. Tend to use rainfall radar to see what is really coming (from radar scans) rather than forecast as UK Met Office isn't great and if I used their forecast I'd miss a lot of rides as radar shows no rain approaching and and rain "stable" (ie not new rain starting and dissipating).

 

[Dirk Van Der Dirk]

For me, wind is only a problem for anyone riding close behind me 🤣

 

[Drago]

Suck it and see. Cant really tell from a forecast what the gusts will be like for strength, direction and unpredictability, so judge each hurricane on its own directly observed merits.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Wind speeds aren't something I have a personal scale for. I'd say "really windy". Is there a met office warning of a storm? 50kmh?

Rain I don't mind, but if its forecast heavy rain all day or stormy I might draw the line. Last Saturday I had a fantastic ride and it was blustery and rainy. But I don't know the wind speed.

Ice keeps me indoors.

 

[Mike_P]

One thing to beware of in strong winds is pushing yourself beyond your norm. A ride that was out in a strong headwind/crosswing as was demonstrated by the direction and horizontal to uowards direction of a wind sock I passed. Had two spells of acute cramp in my legs on the return despite having regularly cycled further with no adverse effect.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Being blown by crosswinds is less of a problem when you're heavier, I had a few moments when 75-80Kg on my 9Kg road bike with 25-32mm tyres, but when ~95Kg on a ~17Kg ebike with 40-50mm tyres makes me far more resistant to wind.

 

[Drago]

I ride so fast I actually make the wind.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I ride so fast I actually make the wind.