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The effect of wind on riding

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Old 07-01-13, 08:02 PM
  #26  
OldsCOOL
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Originally Posted by License2Ill
The Great Demoralizer.
The hill you never crest, a constant roar in the ears.....but when else can you squeeze a 30mi ride into a 20??
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Old 07-01-13, 09:57 PM
  #27  
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Makes you stronger. Just be glad you aren't in the Texas panhandle where the winds sometimes gust over 30 mph. They dehydrate you so drink lots.
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Old 07-02-13, 05:45 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by JanMM
The aerodynamic advantage of a recumbent bike should mean that I have less to complain about with a headwind.
Still feels like pedaling into a damn headwind!
I was just thinking about this the other day while watching the TdF. When I rode a diamond frame bike into the wind I used to try to get as low as possible in the drops while gritting my teeth against the pain. Getting aero hurt and I was miserable.

On my recumbents getting aero means relaxing and laying back in the seat. As long as the wind isn't picking up sand and other debris I can drop a gear or two and enjoy the cooling effect.
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Old 07-02-13, 06:14 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by asgelle
What is it with people today? Seriously.
Maybe it was a tornado?
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Old 07-02-13, 06:14 AM
  #30  
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Since the various routes I take most of the time go through the entire compass in the direction traveled it is a moot point to try and avoid a headwind at some point. I try and think that the other times I am either enjoying a tailwind or a cross wind balance out the headwinds, or just think of it as an extra added bit of a workout, as said before. It will take more than the prevailing winds and the direction to give up a ride, living on the Gulf Coast means there is going to be wind and those cool off my rides very well, thank-you. Our tropical systems usually give that one a shot a few times a year, too. I've ridden in roughly a 35mph wind ahead of a tropical storm's landfall, that was enough to convince me to not try that particular dumb move again.

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Old 07-02-13, 06:35 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by volosong
Ursa Minor is correct. All else being equal, twice the wind velocity requires the four times the effort to maintain the same speed. This is usually one of my test questions I give in my meteorology class.

Personally, head winds sux, but can be overcome with determination and effort. Tail winds are a gift from heaven. Stiff cross winds are from the devil.
Ok, so it's not just me... I was feeling silly for getting tuckered out from crosswinds. Kept telling myself, "It's just a cross wind, makes me steer into it a little more, that's all. It's just in your head..."
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Old 07-02-13, 06:50 AM
  #32  
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Cross winds can be tricky, but the gusts are devilish. On Saturday, only one intermittent blast threw me off of my line on a country road. I was glad that there had been no traffic in the area...
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