Wind and riding outdoors.
vinnymarsden
Posts: 560
I am an all year round cyclist...but I can't help wondering, when I am out walking the dog, or in the car, like just now, and the winds are gusting about 45-55mph, I see a roadie..all wrapped up..proper gear/nice bike, struggling in the wind, on THE FOOTPATH because it's clearly too risky to be in the carriageway, I had to think he would have been better in his garage on a turbo and most importantly..safer!My question is...is there a point where it's just too unsafe to ride?
My obvious thought is yes...and he was past that point in my mind...any thoughts??
And before anyone quotes it..I am well aware of Rule 5!! But Rule 1, in my book is to be safe.
My obvious thought is yes...and he was past that point in my mind...any thoughts??
And before anyone quotes it..I am well aware of Rule 5!! But Rule 1, in my book is to be safe.
0
Comments
-
Probably a lunatic looking to get to that one segment on Strava where the wind is at his back and he can smash in a KOM.0
-
SmoggySteve wrote:Probably a lunatic looking to get to that one segment on Strava where the wind is at his back and he can smash in a KOM.
^^^ this
But you are right, there is no point. Just get on the turbo. Ice and high winds, there really isn't any point risking it, I've seen some outdoor rides uploading to Strava today with reference to the wind, I didn't think they were awesome,Trainer Road Blog: https://hitthesweetspot.home.blog/
Cycling blog: https://harderfasterlonger.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://supermurphtt2015.wordpress.com/
TCTP: https://supermurph.wordpress.com/0 -
possible commuter ? ... and if its only one part of his journey that is in the wind, then mitigating the risk by riding on the pavement for 1.4 mile seems like a satisfactory solution to me0
-
I went out this morning in the 47mph winds (I was managing 6.8mph on a slight decline into the wind!)
with a new baby in the house I just simply don't get chance to cycle/turbo other than commuting as my cycle into work is around 40 mins and driving it is more or less the same. I am totally confident in the wind so it didn't really bother me at all and just seen it as character building / extra training into the headwind.......and no there was no KOM attempts involved!
Ice is another matter though, I will miss riding all together if the ground is anything worse than a light frost.0 -
I've done both - KOM on a down wind segment made it worth while pushing against the wind to get there ...
Riding home from work - I've taken cyclepaths I usually ignore because the crosswinds made it too unpleasant to be on the road - plus I didn't have to contend with the less predictable forces having been overtaken by vehicles - plus I'm out of the vehicles ways when I'm struggling to hit 14mph into a F8 cross/headwind.
I've also gone out just because I needed to pick up something from my parents - and it wasn't that bad.0 -
Slowbike wrote:I've done both - KOM on a down wind segment made it worth while pushing against the wind to get there ...
.
Goddamn motherf@#king cheat. You make me sick.
0 -
I do all my riding on quiet country lanes, so as long as I can stay on the bike and make some kind of progress I'll still ride when it's windy. I'll look carefully at the forecast and plan a circular route that sees me gurning into the wind for 2 hours, then 20 minutes time trialling home with a massive tailwind, pretending I'm Bradley Wiggins chasing a DHL van to collect a parcel.
Ice, not so much...0 -
SmoggySteve wrote:Slowbike wrote:I've done both - KOM on a down wind segment made it worth while pushing against the wind to get there ...
.
Goddamn motherf@#king cheat. You make me sick.
Hah - others get KOMs whilst riding in a group whilst I go for solo effort ... stuffem I say! :twisted:0 -
Ban all downhill Strava segments say I0
-
If you are riding to go from A to B, a turbo isn't as good. Seriously strong gusting cross winds will get me onto public transport.0
-
SmoggySteve wrote:Ban all downhill Strava segments say I
Seconded.0 -
On the OP, winds up to 45-50mph (not gusts) are manageable. You can ride in stronger winds but if you get caught in a crosswind and a gust of 70-80mph hits you're going to get shifted a few feet across the road. That could either be the gutter or on-coming traffic/car overtaking/pothole etc. Anything over 40 and I look to take a sensible route. Anything over 50 and I'll probably not go out. Probably.0
-
If he was on the pavement I doubt he was on for a strava KOM. Prob just a nobber.
I think its about 40mph out there now - I doubt I'd be playing out on the bike. Gaps in hedges can catch you out and there's debris all over the road.
If it was my only way to get to work then maybe I'd have to - but I'm not doing it for fun or fitness. There will be other days.0 -
Hinaultscrapcousin wrote:SmoggySteve wrote:Ban all downhill Strava segments say I
Seconded.
Never !! it`s the only KOM I have.
As for hammering the wind assisted segments ! yup, that`l be me then. If I have to suffer the vomit inducing wind in the face climbs on my route, then I`ll bloody well enjoy the assisted blasts !Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently0 -
Ah - but he could be on his way to the start of a segment - or on his way back ....Fenix wrote:If he was on the pavement I doubt he was on for a strava KOM. Prob just a nobber.
yer - but sometimes it's refreshing to get blown about ...Fenix wrote:If it was my only way to get to work then maybe I'd have to - but I'm not doing it for fun or fitness. There will be other days.
The only time strong winds annoy me is when I get a headwind into work, a seabreeze picks up during the day and then I get a headwind on my way back too ...0 -
I hate these gusts, the works alarm went off at 2 this morning because of them so I got the phone call.
Next phone call was the alrm company to make sure I get a decent nights sleep tonight.
I'd go for a ride in the wind, I am a bloke afterall not some wussy ballerina tutu wearing pussy, but I'd be cautious on fast descents and swear at headwinds.Advocate of disc brakes.0 -
not everyone owns a turbo, or even has the proper space for one so its not a given its an option however roady they might look.
Ive commuted in 40-45mph gusty winds though it was more I got caught in a storm squall which hadnt been supposed to hit till much later on and I deliberately chose a more sheltered route to avoid hitting traffic as most drivers dont seem to understand how sidewind can affect you on a bike, I would have used the pavement if it had reached the point I thought it was too dangerous on the road.0 -
Just MTFU, grow a pair and ride
FFS! Harden up and grow a pair0 -
Maybe it's not windy enough in the Fens, the Peaks, or London, or maybe it's just not gusty enough, but I can't think of a time in the last 15 years where it's been too windy to cycle.
Are you leaning into the wind?0 -
Maybe he was out doing FTP efforts in the headwind?0
-
I'm fortunate enough that my "commute" is only a mile and a half. Generally if the wind is more than 25mph then i'll walk. If its pissing down with rain i'll drive (So! i'm helping the economy and the oil giants)
If i'm out cycling training/enjoying the day i won't bother if its over 20mph solely for safety.
From memory the fastest tailwind for strava purposes was 24mph, but i was still 1 minute off the KOM, who i'd say must have been drafting a lorry or bus. Its only a mile stretch.0 -
Went out this eve for the hell of it, last 3 rides on zwift, sometimes you just need to do a real ride, must admit never had a major problem with side winds, headwinds just grind, tailwind a joy, a beer in the pub afterwards... a bonusVinnyMarsden wrote:I am an all year round cyclist...but I can't help wondering, when I am out walking the dog, or in the car, like just now, and the winds are gusting about 45-55mph, I see a roadie..all wrapped up..proper gear/nice bike, struggling in the wind, on THE FOOTPATH because it's clearly too risky to be in the carriageway, I had to think he would have been better in his garage on a turbo and most importantly..safer!My question is...is there a point where it's just too unsafe to ride?
My obvious thought is yes...and he was past that point in my mind...any thoughts??
And before anyone quotes it..I am well aware of Rule 5!! But Rule 1, in my book is to be safe.
All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....0 -
0
-
0
-
benjamess wrote:
I once got caught in wind like that, on top of Cuthbert's Hill in the North Pennines. After being repeatedly blown off the road I was forced to walk, only to find the bike trying to take off like a kite and pull me over. At one point that day I was pedalling hard to achieve 12mph downhill...0 -
Are the gusts really 45-55 mph?
I find that when the Metoffice says it's 45 mph gusts it is very much rideable, but I suspect the actual wind speed at 1 meter from the ground is way less than that. I tend to draw a line if there is a weather warning and a sustained period of > 50 mph wind in the forecast.
You also need a sensible bike... avoid aero crap and panniersleft the forum March 20230 -
Slowbike wrote:Riding home from work - I've taken cyclepaths I usually ignore because the crosswinds made it too unpleasant to be on the road - plus I didn't have to contend with the less predictable forces having been overtaken by vehicles - plus I'm out of the vehicles ways when I'm struggling to hit 14mph into a F8 cross/headwind.
Pfft - I wouldn't let a measly 40mph wind slow me to less than 16mph.Faster than a tent.......0 -
We're due 40mph winds tomorrow and I'm planning on going out.
Hopefully they are more headwinds/tailwinds then sideways. Larger section wheels make that interesting.
Unfortunately in Portsmouth it's always windy.0 -
Not worth it in my opinion (if it's 40mph+). Unless you're on a commute0
-
If you think you've handled a bike okay to be passed by heavy traffic in 50mph gusts, you've been looking at the weather forecast for somewhere else. For example, somewhere without buildings to offer shelter. I suspect that the nearest such place to you, Rick, would be Wales. Have you ever been?Rick Chasey wrote:Maybe it's not windy enough in the Fens, the Peaks, or London, or maybe it's just not gusty enough, but I can't think of a time in the last 15 years where it's been too windy to cycle.
Are you leaning into the wind?0
