newbie question about wind

googlehead

dumbass question but here goes,
looking to go out on a cycling tomorrow which is 70 miles. i should be able for it,
will be very hard all the same, but i am looking at the weather and it is saying that it will be 35-40 kph winds, will that be hard to cycle in?

DirkVoodoo

Gusty enough.

Unless it is behind you, even a puff of wind will be noticed and takes aways from the pleasure of cycling.

Shouldn't put you off though, just go out and try it, if it's too bad just take a shorter route.

Oh, watch out for crosswinds, they can nip at the front wheel and cause you to veer left and right, just remain confident in your ability and don't tense up too much.

Yes, but keep focussing on how it's hard this way, but the way home should be great!

and ignore that the wind direction may change and be against you coming home.

zzzzzzzz

googlehead wrote: »

dumbass question but here goes,
looking to go out on a cycling tomorrow which is 70 miles. i should be able for it,
will be very hard all the same, but i am looking at the weather and it is saying that it will be 35-40 kph winds, will that be hard to cycle in?

It'll make it tougher alright. Try and go out in to a headwind so that your return journey will be easier

googlehead

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Gusty enough.

Unless it is behind you, even a puff of wind will be noticed and takes aways from the pleasure of cycling.

Shouldn't put you off though, just go out and try it, if it's too bad just take a shorter route.

Oh, watch out for crosswinds, they can nip at the front wheel and cause you to veer left and right, just remain confident in your ability and don't tense up too much.

brillant thanks guys, i'll give it a go, it will be a learning experience if nothing else:) if it gets too hard i will take a shorter route.
what's the worst that can happen:rolleyes:

there will be a few 100 there, so maybe i can block some wind in a pack,

thinking of bringing maybe 3 mars bars for energy/ food along the way?

googlehead

googlehead wrote: »

what's the worst that can happen:rolleyes:

Being blown into a ditch I suppose.

Oh right, rhetorical.

googlehead

Dónal wrote: »

Being blown into a ditch I suppose.

Oh right, rhetorical.

at least i will be sober if it happens


what should i bring food wise? few mars bars?

zzzzzzzz

googlehead wrote: »

brillant thanks guys, i'll give it a go, it will be a learning experience if nothing else:) if it gets too hard i will take a shorter route.
what's the worst that can happen:rolleyes:

there will be a few 100 there, so maybe i can block some wind in a pack,

thinking of bringing maybe 3 mars bars for energy/ food along the way?

ah if you're in a big bunch it won't be too bad - you can always just sit in and take it easy

oflahero

A headwind is the most dispiriting phenomenon you can face on a long cycle, save maybe coming off the bike, with a cleat locked in*... Was out today for a 140km spin, howling wind and rain for all the hills. Coming up the Sally Gap climb from Glencree I almost considered wimping out. It's hard enough normally, but when it feels like there's someone in front of you actively trying to push you back, it really sucks the fun out of it. The answer is to keep thinking, "if I can do it in this king lear weather, I'll fly up it next time".

* Didn't actually come off the bike, but a cleat came loose and I couldn't take the left foot out for 90km. Looked a sight hobbling into the shops with one cleated shoe and one socked foot.

Freddy687

If you are riding in gusty sidewinds. Try not to stop pedaling if you get a whip passing a gate etc. If you stop you will be pushed further by the wind, pedaling will straighten the bike and get you out of the wind sooner.
It takes a bit of pratcise to do this as your instinct will be to steer the bike and forget to pedal.

googlehead

did it today, only my 2nd big cycle, it was tough going very gusty, soo many hills, and the wind was in my face for most of it, got caught out on my own for most of it, as i tried to stay in a pack with guys i know but they are alot more experienced than me so could only keep up with them for soo long, but i was only about 15 mins off them at the end. never hit any walls today i just keep going and took the pain,unlike my first big cycle were i hit a wall with 10miles to go, and this cycle is alot harder, everyone was saying it was a tough cycle. so i feel good with myself now:D. all the hard training is starting to pay off.

and i am actually not too soo now.

xz

I always seem to get pushed to the front in the wind, I don't mind on flattish roads, but on drags and hills, it's pointless trying to hide behind me, as I go go backwards,going into a headwind seems to be good training, but it's very hard work on your own, better in a group where you can take turns up front