Cycling in strong wind?

joshr96

Since road bikes are very flat compared to other bike, wind is alway a major problem when it is coming from the side as it tends to take you off course.
How would I be able to control the bike better when there is a strong cross wind?

With me living by the coast, cross winds are a pretty big problem in the north. 8)

t.m.h.n.e.t

Light grip on the bars

Observation - usually quite easy to see where gateways/breaks in buildings/hedges and such are that may channel wind through.

Would also help knowing if there is traffic behind you

RoadMeridaBen

The problem is with crosswinds is gaps in buildings / farm gates etc. The best thing you can do is obviously you lean into it a little when its constant and keep looking ahead to where crosswinds will suddenly get you as mentioned above

essjaydee

I'm on the west coast and suffer with this same problem

Agree with the above posts, but I always take into account road positioning too. If it's likely to blow you into the kerb, then I keep further out to start off with. If it's likely to blow you into the road, then I'll hug the kerbside more.

sungod

as above, stay aware, look for gaps/obstructions that could funnel/block the wind

give yourself extra room on the road, if the wind is from offside watch out for the effect of passing vehicles so that you don't get sucked into the side

when cornering, especially on roundabouts, be ready to correct so you don't drift offline as the angle changes - depends on the wheel design, some can catch the wind so you get a sudden change in force as you turn

if the winds are strong, there can be much more debris in the roads, watch out for fallen branches etc., ride further out as it usually gets knocked towards the edge of the road

with practice/experience it gets easier, sometimes, not often, maybe it really is too windy for safety

cougie

It's not so much the bike it's the area of you - and road bikes with thin tyres are more skittish than MTBs on soft wide tyres.

There's a great video clip of some young dutch roadies trying to
Cope with ridiculously strong winds. The bikes are lifting as they try to get onto them it's so windy.
Anyone know the link to it ?

Bobbinogs

cougie wrote:

There's a great video clip of some young dutch roadies trying to cope with ridiculously strong winds. The bikes are lifting as they try to get onto them it's so windy.
Anyone know the link to it ?

Ah yes, I remember that, I'll see if I can dig it out.

fludey

Just done a ride along north east coast, Beddlington to Tyne Mouth and back and know what you mean was a killer wind today! As said above look for gaps in cover and lean in to he wind a little...mind you today is was all directions!! Front back side to side!
Get out tomorrow only 9mph tomorrow

Peddle Up!

cougie wrote:

It's not so much the bike it's the area of you - and road bikes with thin tyres are more skittish than MTBs on soft wide tyres.

There's a great video clip of some young dutch roadies trying to
Cope with ridiculously strong winds. The bikes are lifting as they try to get onto them it's so windy.
Anyone know the link to it ?

Here they are. Those crazy, crazy Dutch guys.

Bobbinogs

Brilliant!

roger_merriman

Not really a problem but I'm reasonbly heavy and so is bike. So on the whole bike remains on line.

tiredofwhiners

Try the Argus race in South Africa where it was so windy at the start line lots of folks couldn't even get over the line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8wtnBJOgdM

pottssteve

Peddle Up! wrote:

cougie wrote:

It's not so much the bike it's the area of you - and road bikes with thin tyres are more skittish than MTBs on soft wide tyres.

There's a great video clip of some young dutch roadies trying to
Cope with ridiculously strong winds. The bikes are lifting as they try to get onto them it's so windy.
Anyone know the link to it ?

Here they are. Those crazy, crazy Dutch guys.

They were out in a Force 7 - pretty normal for over here. Loved the bit where the guy couldn't put his bike down.

joshr96

fludey wrote:

Just done a ride along north east coast, Beddlington to Tyne Mouth and back and know what you mean was a killer wind today! As said above look for gaps in cover and lean in to he wind a little...mind you today is was all directions!! Front back side to side!
Get out tomorrow only 9mph tomorrow

Yeah I live near Tynemouth. I just did Seaton Deleval - Tynemouth and back yesterday. Was almost blown into a ditch a few times when I was struck by those nasty gusts of wind. 8)