When is it too windy to go out?

popette

Forecast 38mph winds tomorrow around my way. Would you go out in that?
It's my first day EVER when I have children all out at either school or nursery and I'm going out cycling. Forecast looks a bit grim though.
What's the windiest you've been out in?

FatBlokeFromFelixstowe

Late last year I recall westerly 46 mile an hour winds gusting to 65. A hard slog getting to work but great fun going home.

To be honest wind would not stop me going out but be extra wary of crosswinds and flying wheelie bins.

ivancarlos

I've been caught by gusts which carried me from one side of a country lane to the other. Not recommended if you are in traffic. On the same day a mate told me he had been blown into a ditch at the side of the road.

Mog Uk

Commuted yesterday in 26mph ( according to the MET ) The headwind sure made it hard work at times, really got the legs working and I can feel it today.

I did have a couple of moments when I had to suddenly stop the bike from being pushed over towards the curb, but nothing that bothered me to much ( roller training/balance came in handy )

So they are saying 38mph tomorrow then, great, that should be entertaining.....

lateralus

got a bit of a hammering on the upper slopes of the Ventoux when I was there last September - even to bring me to a virtual standstill in 30 x 27 a few times. That doesn't bother me so much - it's just harder work. It's the crosswinds I'm not so keen on. If it's fairly steady wind, it's not so bad - it's big gusts that cause the problems!

slowfen

To be honest the strenght of the wind (within reason) is not the issue. It is what you feel you can cope with. Unfortunatly this only found out by the "suck it and see" method.

Hence choose a quiet route, be aware if its cross/head/tail wind.
If cross wind be very careful around hedges/ fences etc due to gusts through gaps, and the same on open areas, they can take you across the road if unexpected. Dont forget cars, etc if wind is from the right, the closer they are the greater the effect of them nicking the wind so you can swerve either way

Tail winds, enjoy, but bewary of tall/big vehicles coming towards you, they do strange things to the wind

Head winds, its training right

If you do go out be careful, and have fun
sf

portuguese mike

that's probalby the limit for me but as has already been said its the crosswinds you need to watch out for - particularly if its gusty. Just be very careful as slowfen says but i would also add that tall vehicles overtaking you can also cause problems as there will be a lot of turbulence in their slipstream.

Take care and enjoy (the tailwinds at least).

on the road

I've been out in gale force winds before. It's horrible when you have to battle against that wind, but it's great when you have that wind behind you

The main problem is when you get a sudden side wind, if you're not expecting it, it can blow you across the road. You just have to watch the traffic behind you and be ready to take evasive action in the case of a sudden gust of wind from the side.

vermooten

My answer to the original question: NEVER! Having said that, wind + rain can put me off, as can wind + cold. And as for wind + rain + cold... ferggeddaboutit.

mm1

Not sure about winds speeds, but one club run last year we were freewheeling at 30 mph with the wind, and maxed out at 5mph back into the wind (pulse 180-190 just to maintain walking pace!), sitting at the back of the group, saw some crazy angles leaning into cross winds, had to watch out for gusts! Its always windy here on the edge of the Fens, and I miss the Surrey lanes (hills, trees, shelter) where I grew up. Have made a vow to ride off road on days when the forecast says 25 mph +, but have yet to test this promise to self (having failed "never riding on ice again" a couple of times in the last few weeks).

fossyant

Popette...hit the lanes - you are a Chashire lass, so keep to the smaller lanes - lots of changes in direction and keep off the long exposed roads.

As for winds and when is too much..... when some of the lads on your club run break down crying as it's too hard..... and I was talking about 18 year olds when I was early 20's ..... blooming awful coming back over Axe Edge... Or riding at 45degree angle to the road at the top of Woodhead, then do nearly 60 on the Sheffield side, then find it faster to walk to the top of Snake Pass to get home, than ride (fit cyclists here) - then it's time to get off...... :shock:

Stick to the flat, and if possible, sheltered back lanes...don't do the hills unless you are 'up for it'......

webbhost

Its never too windy to go biking lol.. Well not until you see a cow fly past. Then you pull in and find shelter.

I been out in some pretty damn strong winds, of which has actually pushed me onto the wrong side of the road before.

That doesn't sound TOO bad, but it is strong.

jimmythecuckoo

I try and avoid the local fenland droves when the wind is really bad as you don't get decent training.

You can't get over your lower threshold flying along at 30mph spinning and then you get to your upper limit doing 12mph coming back the other way!

geoff_ss

I was once stopped dead going under a bridge on my way home from work (it WAS windy but the bridge concentrated it). When I dismounted I had to hold on to my bike to stop it blowing away. If I hadn't needed to get home I think I'd have stayed at home. I got the car out to go and collect my wife from her work because I was afraid for her.

Not sure what an absolute measure might be but it's certainly cross winds that are the dangerous ones. Bear in mind it's quite possible for the wind to be strong enough to blow you across the road, which can be dangerous at worst and unpleasant at best.

Geoff

bagpusscp

Got blown uphill{Shap} once . Did not have to pedal for about 1/4 mile :shock:

jellybellywmb

jimmythecuckoo wrote:

I try and avoid the local fenland droves when the wind is really bad as you don't get decent training.

You can't get over your lower threshold flying along at 30mph spinning and then you get to your upper limit doing 12mph coming back the other way!

I used to live on the very edge of the Fens and have almost come to a standstill on the fen roads.
Find it quite hard and a little scary with the gusts on the road bike especially when passing gaps in the hedges but not fully used to it yet,strong winds have never stopped me going on the MTB though.

SteveR_100Milers

It was windy tonight, gusting into the 40's allegedly...

wallabyhunter

Sounds like the fens may be similar to W. Aus. No hills so no shelter from the winds. The winds here are so predictable it's easy to arrange a good ride... ...

It lead me to think tho, what are your "tactics" for riding into the wind? Head down & grind as long as you can? Drop to a low, low gear & spin away?

How do you cope with the head winds??

gb

on the road

Head down and low gear.

Climber_Andy

Forecast said it was 26 today, but didn't feel too bad... yes a few 13 moments but a pretty steady average after not going crazy with the tailwind.

It is good training, hard work though.

McBain_v1

Tailwinds... they almost make it all worthwhile

spen666

Geoff_SS wrote:

I.... If I hadn't needed to get home I think I'd have stayed at home. ...

Hmmmm
:?: :?: :?: :?:

nwallace

Your all making todays wind sound tame. Average wind speed around 40->50 mph, Gusts over 100mph, Road and Rail bridges shut, only way to work over 50 miles long, allegedly flooded and clogged solid with commuters. Boring day at home then.

I seem to remember the courier reporting last time the rail bridge was shut, that it was the first time in its history that the line was closed due to wind. Making this the 2nd time. THe only previous wind related closure being on the first bridge when it failed.

pneumatic

Yes, probably safe to say that today wasn't really one for a ride up here. Happily I was working from home, but even that was a bit scary with the wind punching the side of the house, everything in the garden leaning over sideways like a ski-jumper and rain flying about like someone had dropped the fire-hose.

Spose I could have done a stint on the turbo, but I didn't.

all seems a bit calmer now. At first light, I'll need to go out and find whatever it was that slid down my roof at 4a.m.

popette

I went out and it wasn't too bad. I managed 53 miles - less than the metric century I had planned but at least a half of a real century.
On the outward journey I felt like I was travelling at a snails pace (that and snot being blown out of my nose and then blown back in the other nostril - great) but otherwise fine. I stopped at my folks half way round the loop for a bacon sarnie - I was flying home, partly with the wind and partly with bacon fuel.

bagpusscp

Stay off the baked beans :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :roll:

geoff_ss

spen666 wrote:

Geoff_SS wrote:

I.... If I hadn't needed to get home I think I'd have stayed at home. ...

Hmmmm
:?: :?: :?: :?:

Senior literary moment. I'm entitled to them.

G

grayo59

A few years back I decided to take my bike over the old severn bridge, so pulled up to take the bike off the car at the usual stopping point by the old ferry queuing road on the English side.

Looked at the bridge, saw no traffic and howling wind and so decided no bike but would walk across to get some fresh air instead.

The articulated lorry over on it's side helped me decide not to bother!

penugent

wallabyhunter wrote:

Drop to a low, low gear & spin away?

That's what I do

Slim Middleton

You think you guys have erm.....bad wind - trains have been blown off tracks and car ferries blown off course here in NZ!!

Although the wind is strong, it tends to be pretty constant (in my experience) so that you don't tend to get sudden gusts that blow you across the road meaning that it is difficult to use the excuse that it is too windy to ride - though I often do.

The best way to ride in such conditions (I find) is behind someone else!! If that's not possible I sit on the drops in low gear and just grind it out. I miss the gentle English lanes.

AMcD

When I used to commute, I was blown across a road into a parked car and I ripped off a wing mirror and hub cap in the process (also left a very deep scratch down the length of the car - the bike was fine though . I found the owner eventually only to be told his dad had left the car with him for safekeeping whilst he was on holiday . He refused to take my details to give to the insurers as I'd been so honest . So honesty really does pay .

Just before Christmas we had a scary moment on the Forth Road bridge - both our bikes were locked onto our Thule roof rack when my husband's MTB was blown off the roof rack into the traffic. Luckily it landed clear of any cars and everyone managed to stop in time.

I have no special theory about cycling in the wind other than to be very aware of cross winds. There was a point on my way home from Manchester as you swung right past Granada Studios on Quay Street where the wind would always seem to get me. I'd go very slowly and have my right foot out of my toe clip and ready to dab . I had a moped for a short while (until it was nicked) and on a very, very windy day the wind blew me back the way I was going and I ended up facing the oncoming traffic :oops: . Very scary - mainly for the motorists. I spent that evening following all the small residential roads just to get home in one piece.