How to deal with crosswinds when at speed?

xbox gamer

I know nobody likes crosswinds but the question is how to deal with it especially at this time of year?

I am not too confident in decending (but i'm slowly getting there) and when you throw in a crosswind, I brown pants myself. Its one thing looking for your line/potholes but trying to gauge both is impossible. I always try and look out for gaps in the hedge and anticipate the crosswind by leaning into the direct of the wind when passing the gap. I tend to stop pedalling, brake and concentrate on getting my balance again when i hit one. Also, i normally cycle mainly on the hoods and i feel i have more control over the bike in this position rather than the drops.

Is this the correct thing to do? Has anybody any tips for me?

Lumen

Don't stop pedalling. Ignore the wind, don't think about it, just trust your balance to sort it out.

daragh_

You have a lower profile if you stay in the drops so a crosswind is less likely to catch you.

xbox gamer

Lumen wrote: »

Don't stop pedalling. Ignore the wind, don't think about it, just trust your balance to sort it out.

Is that how you deal with it when a gust comes along? i find it hard probably mainly because i can see myslf in a ditch if i didn't think about it.

MrCreosote

Stay in the position that feels most stable to you (hoods for me as well)

Drop the overall speed but keep it constant. Don't brake for the gusts but pedal through them. You can't totally ignore the wind so anticipate the gusts but don't lean into them or brake for them. Your forward momentum will help keep you upright.

Up to a point of course- even pros get blown off their bikes, look at Andy Schleck last year.

smacl

xbox gamer wrote: »

Is that how you deal with it when a gust comes along? i find it hard probably mainly because i can see myslf in a ditch if i didn't think about it.

While I'm a pretty crappy descender myself, I reckon seeing yourself in a ditch is the best way of finding yourself in one. On certain exposed roads, e.g. the section of the military road above cruagh wood, I find the heavy side winds do move the bike a fair bit, so I tend to stay well away from the edge these conditions and closer in to the road centre. I also find the drops way better than the hoods in the wind (and for descending in general).

Lumen

xbox gamer wrote: »

Is that how you deal with it when a gust comes along? i find it hard probably mainly because i can see myslf in a ditch if i didn't think about it.

As smacl says, don't think about it. Just look where you want to go and let your animal brain sort it out.

xbox gamer

Thanks all for your advice. i'll give these tips a go and i'll hopefully change my ways becoming more confident in the wind

getz

xbox gamer wrote: »

I know nobody likes crosswinds but the question is how to deal with it especially at this time of year?

I am not too confident in decending (but i'm slowly getting there) and when you throw in a crosswind, I brown pants myself. Its one thing looking for your line/potholes but trying to gauge both is impossible. I always try and look out for gaps in the hedge and anticipate the crosswind by leaning into the direct of the wind when passing the gap. I tend to stop pedalling, brake and concentrate on getting my balance again when i hit one. Also, i normally cycle mainly on the hoods and i feel i have more control over the bike in this position rather than the drops.

Is this the correct thing to do? Has anybody any tips for me?

do as the sailing ships do,tack

RobFowl

xbox gamer wrote: »

I know nobody likes crosswinds but the question is how to deal with it especially at this time of year?

I am not too confident in decending (but i'm slowly getting there) and when you throw in a crosswind, I brown pants myself. Its one thing looking for your line/potholes but trying to gauge both is impossible. I always try and look out for gaps in the hedge and anticipate the crosswind by leaning into the direct of the wind when passing the gap. I tend to stop pedalling, brake and concentrate on getting my balance again when i hit one. Also, i normally cycle mainly on the hoods and i feel i have more control over the bike in this position rather than the drops.

Is this the correct thing to do? Has anybody any tips for me?

Put your hands on the drops
Put your head between your legs and
Kiss your ass goodbye.....

Wishbone Ash

xbox gamer wrote: »

i normally cycle mainly on the hoods

MrCreosote wrote: »

Stay in the position that feels most stable to you (hoods for me as well)

Conventional wisdom would say that you have more control and stability on the drops.

elduggo

don't bite off more than you can chew. Start with the Simplex. Once you have that nailed you can move up to the Cryptic.

good luck

bbolger

How about group rides in crosswinds?

The club spin tomorrow morn should be interesting...:rolleyes:

bbolger

Some group ride animations:

Straight echelon


Cross-wind echelon

manwithaplan

I'd say they'd love us doing that from Naul to Oldtown.

Jocry

Lumen wrote: »

Don't stop pedalling. Ignore the wind, don't think about it, just trust your balance to sort it out.

I would have trusted my balance coming out past Dollymount last night but once I got to Bayside and my rear tire was somehow been blown sideways (in effect drifting) I had to call it quits, seemed extremely dangerous riding but I'm not a veteran with road bikes though.

Dermot Illogical

Jocry wrote: »

I would have trusted my balance coming out past Dollymount last night but once I got to Bayside and my rear tire was somehow been blown sideways (in effect drifting) I had to call it quits, seemed extremely dangerous riding but I'm not a veteran with road bikes though.

It was a bit windy there last night alright. If, like me, you eat loads of horse burgers it's not so much a problem. Fatten up and you'll be ok.
:pac:

daragh_

t'bear

I couldn't stop laughing when that guy was trying to get back on his bike :-)

Lusk Doyle

In crosswinds the only thing that should be in your mind is "I must split the peleton. I must not get caught behind the split."

:cool: