Safe Speed Forums

Weather

Wind

Ah much worse than the rain!

Only good if it’s behind you! Even then beware it increases your speed!

Pedalling against the wind – hard work! This is time for the drop down position and low gear selection!

So cyclists, country walkers, and any horse riders on the forum – quickly quiz time to encourage chats!

There are no correct answers to this quiz by the way – but given the number of accidents caused by wind – let’s see if we can swap a few tips around! Remember heavy winds and cross winds affect cars as well - so not just a cycling issue – though obviously motorcyclists and cyclists need to be very careful in windy conditions.

1.Which is the best position to adopt when cycling into a headwind? (Horsey people on road will also have a take on this too!)

2.What advantage would your choice give you?

3.What are some of the obvious dangers – given you rely on one particular sense to keep you out of danger on a bicycle and on horseback?

4.If caught in a crosswind – what would be your best cycling position and what thoughts should you be giving to your steering to maintain a steady course.

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

From an aerodynamic point of view it would seem sensible to lower the upper body by bending forward, just as the time triallists do, with special bars to rest their elbows on.

Personally I put up with the wind as it is more important to me to see where I am going - like looking out for holes in the road surface, drains etc.

I would agree that sight is the most important to a cyclist including looking behind, but hearing is pretty important too as this can give you a lot of information as to what motorised vehicles are up to.

Crosswinds - well observation is again important. Like being aware which direction the wind is coming from, noting the gaps in hedges and walls where a particular blast is likely to come from. Ultimately if it is blowing a severe gale, force 9 or above, I wouldn't venture out on a bike in the first place. Other road users might not be as aware as I am of the effects of gusts of wind.

Good answer Nick!

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.