Headwind v Tailwind effort

matt-h
matt-h Posts: 847
Hi all,
On Sunday i completed a 100mile 7000ft climbing ride.
For the first 65 miles i felt great, kept below threshold on the climbs etc to give me enough for the finish.
from about 65-85 miles we were in a very strong headwind. I was at threshold doing approx 14mph and it really tired me.

What would have been the best way to tackle this? i was aware we were going to have the headwind but wasn't sure if my biggest effort should have in the tailwind or headwind - it feels like i got it wrong

Whats your thoughts guys?

Matt

Comments

  • Alex_Simmons/RST
    Alex_Simmons/RST Posts: 4,161
    matt-h wrote:
    Hi all,
    On Sunday i completed a 100mile 7000ft climbing ride.
    For the first 65 miles i felt great, kept below threshold on the climbs etc to give me enough for the finish.
    from about 65-85 miles we were in a very strong headwind. I was at threshold doing approx 14mph and it really tired me.

    What would have been the best way to tackle this? i was aware we were going to have the headwind but wasn't sure if my biggest effort should have in the tailwind or headwind - it feels like i got it wrong

    Whats your thoughts guys?

    Matt
    It's a complex problem (assuming minimising overall time is the aim) as it depends on whether you are going to have the same distance with tailwind as with headwind.

    In simpler out and back tail/headwind scenarios then the variation in power between each shouldn't be a lot (a handful of watts), a little more into headwind, a little less with tailwind. You can't really vary it a lot because the duration into headwind is going to be more than half the total time.

    For a course with an uneven amount of distances for tail/head winds then I'd simplify things: it's best to ride at a sustainable power for the expected duration no matter the wind.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    For a course with an uneven amount of distances for tail/head winds then I'd simplify things: it's best to ride at a sustainable power for the expected duration no matter the wind.

    I often cycle around the Markermeer north of Amsterdam - it's almost exactly 100 miles (just over) from my flat here. The wind is generally from the south so my return leg is most often into a headwind. A few things I do
    1. Do the loop with the most shelter (the very little there is) into the wind - it also happens to be the most interesting side of the Markermeer (big area of open water) which makes it mentally easier.
    2. Keep my effort down (using a power meter) on the wind-assisted side, to keep something in my legs for the return. Remember that, in a strong wind, you might be spending 2-3 times as long into the wind than with it. The wind is rarely steady and tends to build during the day.
    3. Focus on the power not the speed on the way back: looking down and seeing that you're putting out good power is much better mentally than looking down and seeing that you're doing a pathetic speed.
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • matt-h
    matt-h Posts: 847
    Thanks fellas.
    What you're saying makes sense.
    I don't have a power meter but the lack of speed in relation to effort was disheartening.

    I'll try and maintain a suitable PE and ignore the speed next time

    Matt
  • danridesbikes
    danridesbikes Posts: 170
    thats just the wind for you, as above, if your maintaining Watts/HR there is nothing more you can do,

    this is one of my graphs for an out and back the other day,

    can you guess where i started heading into the wind?

    ScreenShot2014-05-14at120415_zps55793469.png