Wind
#27
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I live between two large bays and not too far from the ocean. My riding is typically on a canal path that connects the two bays - wind is a fact of every day life. Either a full on headwind/tailwind situation, or if the wind is out of the ESE and coming up the bays - I get a headwind both directions depending on where I am on the path.
And the wind gets funneled into the canal by the levees and seems to accelerate.
Wind is almost always there - a constant. If I didn't ride in 25+mph winds, I would hardly ride ever. Anything with gusts over 40 would be my cutoff point.
And the wind gets funneled into the canal by the levees and seems to accelerate.
Wind is almost always there - a constant. If I didn't ride in 25+mph winds, I would hardly ride ever. Anything with gusts over 40 would be my cutoff point.
#28
Senior Member
For sure blown debris is a big risk to your vision.
Perhaps consider using goggles in these conditions.
Bigger shades in general help protect eyes better especially when there are lots of bugs out.
I hate getting bugs in my eyes when riding and carry eye drops incase needed.
Perhaps consider using goggles in these conditions.
Bigger shades in general help protect eyes better especially when there are lots of bugs out.
I hate getting bugs in my eyes when riding and carry eye drops incase needed.
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#29
OTOH, I’m a fan of winds in the 10-15 mph range. I ride single speed bikes. Wind helps mix up the workload on a flatter route. YMMV.
Otto
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#30
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Sustained winds of 25 mph or above or gusts over 30 mph, and I’ll probably run instead of cycle. And even then, I will go to an indoor tack or run down into lower MUP paths that are mostly shielded from wind by surrounding hills.
OTOH, I’m a fan of winds in the 10-15 mph range. I ride single speed bikes. Wind helps mix up the workload on a flatter route. YMMV.
Otto
OTOH, I’m a fan of winds in the 10-15 mph range. I ride single speed bikes. Wind helps mix up the workload on a flatter route. YMMV.
Otto
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#33
Senior Member
With a lot of modern bikes some consideration might need to be taken for the wheels but I'll tolerate 30mph winds on the local path. The kid and I went out one time where we were doing ok with our 27mm and 34mm deep rims although you could feel the wind trying to push them a bit but the pair that were trying to train on their Tri bikes were seriously struggling and we watched them get knocked off the path. And my steel frame might not be too aero efficient for racing but it also shrugs off real cross winds that could catch something with flatter profiles.
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#34
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I live in south coastal Delaware, 5 miles from the Atlantic. We have a lot of wind. I usually do not ride once it hits sustained 20 mph, or so, and gusting comes into play. I tried a ride a few days ago, sustained 16 -22 mph and gusts to 50. I made it about 3 miles before a couple gusts and wind blown stuff convinced me to go back to riding my recliner. It was a better choice.
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#36
Senior Member
National Weather Service
https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-...n%20California.
Santa Ana Winds occur when air from a region of high pressure over the dry, desert region of the southwestern U.S. flows westward towards low pressure located off the California coast. This creates dry winds that flow east to west through the mountain passages in Southern California. These winds are most common during the cooler months of the year, occurring from September through May. Santa Ana winds typically feel warm (or even hot) because as the cool desert air moves down the side of the mountain, it is compressed, which causes the temperature of the air to rise. These strong winds can cause major property damage. They also increase wildfire risk because of the dryness of the winds and the speed at which they can spread a flame across the landscape.
This means there’s “junk” in the air and breathing it is not healthy. Even if its not Santa Ana wind condition, there’s plenty of road debris that gets kicked up and a rider will be getting some of that in the lungs. Long term effect? Take a guess.
Possible → Probable → Persuasive
https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-...n%20California.
Santa Ana Winds occur when air from a region of high pressure over the dry, desert region of the southwestern U.S. flows westward towards low pressure located off the California coast. This creates dry winds that flow east to west through the mountain passages in Southern California. These winds are most common during the cooler months of the year, occurring from September through May. Santa Ana winds typically feel warm (or even hot) because as the cool desert air moves down the side of the mountain, it is compressed, which causes the temperature of the air to rise. These strong winds can cause major property damage. They also increase wildfire risk because of the dryness of the winds and the speed at which they can spread a flame across the landscape.
This means there’s “junk” in the air and breathing it is not healthy. Even if its not Santa Ana wind condition, there’s plenty of road debris that gets kicked up and a rider will be getting some of that in the lungs. Long term effect? Take a guess.
Possible → Probable → Persuasive
#37
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Depends on which way the wind is blowing. If it is going my way, there is no wind too fast for riding. If I have to ride into it, there is no wind that is low enough
I’ve ridden into 80 mph gusts and with 80 mph gusts. I’d rather ride with them.
I’ve ridden into 80 mph gusts and with 80 mph gusts. I’d rather ride with them.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#38
I resent every kind of wind, regardless of its direction. The only one I like is the summer breeze, especially when I am climbing a steep hill through a dead air side of the mountain and then, suddenly, an open space appears and I feel the breeze.... man!
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#39
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I ride mostly in the Puente Hills in SoCal and it is sheltered for the most part when the Santa Ana winds kick up. It is the Santa Anas with the heat and low humidity that are insufferable when unsheltered on the riverbed MUPS.
Only thing that I try to avoid are the Dust Devils that can raise havoc with debris getting into your eyes but they are rare.
Only thing that I try to avoid are the Dust Devils that can raise havoc with debris getting into your eyes but they are rare.
#40
Senior Member
I try to avoid anything over 10+ MPH. Usually I can do this just by timing my ride during the day. I'll tolerate more wind for shorter rides, or interval sessions. I'm not slogging into the 15+ MPH headwind for half of a 50-mile out and back.
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#42
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How windy is too windy?
I try to view it this way: similar to, say, snow, ice or water on a road, wind can be a good "test" for what a person's capable of accomplishing in such conditions, but at much lower speeds than would otherwise be the case.
And so, as a new motor vehicle driver I often went out in inclement weather to "push" things at low speeds on empty parking lots, old unused roads and the like, to help me learn about how such ice/snow/rain would impact grip. Similarly, as a cyclist, I try to view wind as merely a way for nature to challenge my cycling strength and determination at lower speeds than I'd anticipated. With that, I can still drive/bike with a smile, and still get loads out of a given drive or ride ... harder though cycling on a windy day might be, more-challenging tire grip can be in a car on ugly surfaces. Either way, I learn some, improve the skills, and still get to where I'm going.
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#43
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~20mph sustained, give or take. Once was, I often was out in much stronger winds, but not these days.
I try to view it this way: similar to, say, snow, ice or water on a road, wind can be a good "test" for what a person's capable of accomplishing in such conditions, but at much lower speeds than would otherwise be the case.
And so, as a new motor vehicle driver I often went out in inclement weather to "push" things at low speeds on empty parking lots, old unused roads and the like, to help me learn about how such ice/snow/rain would impact grip. Similarly, as a cyclist, I try to view wind as merely a way for nature to challenge my cycling strength and determination at lower speeds than I'd anticipated. With that, I can still drive/bike with a smile, and still get loads out of a given drive or ride ... harder though cycling on a windy day might be, more-challenging tire grip can be in a car on ugly surfaces. Either way, I learn some, improve the skills, and still get to where I'm going.
I try to view it this way: similar to, say, snow, ice or water on a road, wind can be a good "test" for what a person's capable of accomplishing in such conditions, but at much lower speeds than would otherwise be the case.
And so, as a new motor vehicle driver I often went out in inclement weather to "push" things at low speeds on empty parking lots, old unused roads and the like, to help me learn about how such ice/snow/rain would impact grip. Similarly, as a cyclist, I try to view wind as merely a way for nature to challenge my cycling strength and determination at lower speeds than I'd anticipated. With that, I can still drive/bike with a smile, and still get loads out of a given drive or ride ... harder though cycling on a windy day might be, more-challenging tire grip can be in a car on ugly surfaces. Either way, I learn some, improve the skills, and still get to where I'm going.
#44
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I’ve had some success with weather apps that give wind directions by the hour and then plan a route accordingly to avoid headwinds (as much as I can) given the known reliability of any given weather forecast this works ok. At least I can get in some riding.
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#45
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Here in north Texas the wind comes out of the south to southwest. I need a route running east to west. Today I am staying out of it. 25mph with gusts over 30mph.
#46
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not a fan of wind
will still often ride on windy days - but typically will select certain areas / trails where the wind is less of an issue
Last edited by t2p; 04-13-24 at 06:33 PM.
#47
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