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How windy is too windy to ride?
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I only ride in the calm stuff0 Votes - [0%]
Over 10 mph is too much2 Votes - [2.63%]
Over 20 mph18 Votes - [23.68%]
Over 30 mph56 Votes - [73.68%]

2009-03-22 5:26 PM

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Champion
10742
5000500050010010025
Ames, IA
Subject: How windy is too windy to ride?

I just finished up a 50mi ride in some horrendous wind. Steady 25mph and gusts over 40. The whole ride was just an effort to stay upright and I was honestly scared for my life several times. So at what point do you scrap outdoor ride due to wind?

ETA: Whoops, meant to add a 40+ and an I'll ride in a tornado option, but you get the point 



Edited by disturbed275 2009-03-22 5:29 PM


2009-03-22 5:42 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Expert
2189
2000100252525
Dodge County, MN (out in the corn)
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
I *hate* wind!  Right now it's blowing a steady 25 with higher gusts.  Yuck.  We get nasty wind out here since there's nothing to stop it.  Some days it's just a matter of running or riding from farm to farm to take advantage of the windbreak.  Last fall we rode in similar conditions and it sucked.  I was getting blown all over the road and I'm not a little chick.  Hate wind!
2009-03-22 6:52 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Regular
68
2525
Katy, TX
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

Here in Katy TX where the land is flat as a pancake, the wind is the closest thing I have to hill training outside of  parking garages (which I've done a few times).  The only problem I have is when the gusts are 15+ mph higher than the steady wind.  The intense, sudden, and uncontrollable cross-wind can push one over no matter what position you're in. 

2009-03-22 7:15 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Champion
7553
500020005002525
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

A steady 30 mph wind is much easier to deal with than a gusting, swirling, 30 mph wind. 

We were out last Tuesday for the first group ride of the season.  We had a pretty brisk 20-30 mph wind.  Great for the tailwind portion, really sucky as a headwind.  The real pucker came when it was a cross wind.  I was riding in a pack with guys leaning 10-15 degrees to the left just to stay upright.  I was willing to sacrifice a little (OK, a lot) of efficiency for safety and not be too close to anyone. 

2009-03-22 7:17 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Elite
4235
2000200010010025
Spring, TX
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
I'm new to TN, but I've come to realize that if I waited for a calm day to ride, I'd never make it out on the road.  The 30+ mph days are tough, but they make those calm days seem great!
2009-03-22 9:26 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Extreme Veteran
378
100100100252525
Warwick, Rhode Island
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

I hear you on the breeze. I live pretty close to the coast and the wind off of the water likes to play with you. Today was pretty horrible. Lots of wind from the side and on the nose. Made for slow speeds and a few wobbly moments.

I have yet to scrap a ride because of the wind. I have been caught with steadily increasing headwinds that made an out and back ride one of the quickest return trips ever. 25 to 30 mph from behind with wicked HOT temps. FUN!!



2009-03-23 8:47 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Expert
1010
1000
Greer, SC
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
If I chose to ride when there was no wind, I wouldn't get in any training at all.  Living in the Upstate of SC, we are right at the base of the Appalachian Mtns where it is always windy.  Most days I try not to look at any flags flying because they are usually standing straight out!  It can be very disheartening.
2009-03-23 9:28 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Master
2277
2000100100252525
Lake Norman, NC
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

For me, the rules are simple:

Winds <15mph:   bike
Wind 15-35mph:  catamaran sailing
Wind 30-45mph:  windsurfing
Wind >45mph:     sit on the porch and drink beer

Laughing

 

2009-03-23 9:35 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
I'm okay up to about 25mph but when it reaches 30mph (sustained winds), I get nervous and frustrated. And like someone else said, the swirling, rapidly changing direction winds are the worst. On a group ride a few weeks ago there was a small vortex (is that the right word?) of swirling debris that hit the lead pack first from one side, than one second later from the other. Almost caused a big mess. Scary stuff.
2009-03-23 9:35 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Champion
5868
50005001001001002525
Urbandale, IA
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
disturbed275 - 2009-03-22 5:26 PM

I just finished up a 50mi ride in some horrendous wind. Steady 25mph and gusts over 40. The whole ride was just an effort to stay upright and I was honestly scared for my life several times. So at what point do you scrap outdoor ride due to wind?

ETA: Whoops, meant to add a 40+ and an I'll ride in a tornado option, but you get the point 

My second tri ever was in this kind of wind on an out and back course.  You could barely go 14 mph down a hill in it - but on the way back I averaged over 25 the entire way.  It was brutal.  Of course, right about the time I finished the bike leg, the wind slowed down and the sun came out.  I could have used the tail wind on the run. 

I love Iowa in the spring.

2009-03-23 11:25 AM
in reply to: #2034182

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
It depends on how it acting.  I can live with head or tail winds.  Or if it's steady.  But huge cross wind gusts are what get me nervious.  I had a 45 mph gust blow my right into the traffic lane on a fast down hill once.  Thank goodness there wasn't anyone there...


2009-03-23 11:44 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Master
2073
20002525
The Redlands, FL
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

I hate the winds in my bike rides...but...I don't have choices...here...where I live is permanently windy...and...I really have learned to deal with the winds....

I think from 20 mph + is too much...

Right now...the winds are coming from E at 20 mph gusting to 30 mph...and...I was running...and...it was hard to run against the winds but was an excellent work-out...and...when I was running with the winds pushing me...I believed would make me fall face down...LOL



Edited by velorider62 2009-03-23 11:45 AM
2009-03-23 11:49 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Champion
34263
500050005000500050005000200020001001002525
Chicago
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
Never. Not with this `fabulous new idea' ...

http://www.sonic.net/~ckelly/Seekay/sailbike1.jpg
2009-03-23 12:07 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Expert
939
50010010010010025
Tulsa
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
I just hope this sping isn't like the last.  I almost stopped working out completely because of the wind.  I've lived in Oklahoma for almost 20 years now and its windy....(15-20) is a non windy day.  Anyway last spring from about march to june it was 25-35 almost EVERY day! I'm not joking! It pushed me to the point of almost calling it quits.  I can handle it if i get a nice calm day everyone once in a while but 3 months straight was horrible!  I guess the "jet stream" came right through us for that whole spring period.
2009-03-23 1:23 PM
in reply to: #2033238

Elite
3650
200010005001002525
Laurium, MI
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
it really depends on if I'm going alone or with a group.  If it's a group ride, I'm much more likely to go.  You get the benefit of drafting to ease it up a little bit, and you get to boast about your manly accomplishment for several days afterward while calling the others that didn't come wusses
2009-03-23 2:19 PM
in reply to: #2033238

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
Hey!  HTFU!


2009-03-23 5:05 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Expert
1148
100010025
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Silver member
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

I think it's too windy to ride when you are concerned about your safety.  (depends on road conditions, traffic, time of day, who you're riding with, and your personal skill and confidence)  I could well be different on different days.

We only "bagged" one ride.  It was gusting over 40, so instead of hitting the open highway, we took a more lesurely ride through some neighboorhoods.  the houses mostly blocked the wind, and because we were sheltered and riding slower everyone felt fairly safe. 

The guys who hit the highway confirmed that it was just flat scarey out there.

2009-03-23 6:06 PM
in reply to: #2033238

Extreme Veteran
377
100100100252525
Western, Mass
Bronze member
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
A few years back, i was out riding doing about 16- 17 mph, i rounded a corner and got hit by a gusts that took me down to under 5 mph.  I felt like i was stopped dead and about to fall over.
2009-03-24 11:01 AM
in reply to: #2033238

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Elite
5316
5000100100100
Alturas, California
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
If I am riding after noon I can pretty much count on a 15 to 25 mph wind.  But how does it always know which way I am going and adjust to my face!
2009-03-24 2:45 PM
in reply to: #2035577

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Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?

KML - 2009-03-23 7:06 PM A few years back, i was out riding doing about 16- 17 mph, i rounded a corner and got hit by a gusts that took me down to under 5 mph.  I felt like i was stopped dead and about to fall over.

 

That happened to me a few weeks ago. We were having 30MPH gusts. I was almost blown into traffic a couple times. At one point I rounded a curve and started down a hill between a elevated highway and a river. It was like a wind tunnel I came to an almost complete stop. Downhill. No fun.

2009-03-24 2:55 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
Marianne and I rode today along a river on bike path with open parts. Up river there were times I was in my easiest gear going like 5-7 mph and it was totally flat...winds were wicked bad today. It took us 32' to go up river and only 20 to come back and power was lower coming back. It is good practice, makes me stronger, and you never know on race day what it will be like. I'm more likely to ride not in aero especially when there are cross winds.


2009-03-24 9:26 PM
in reply to: #2033238

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Veteran
124
100
San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: How windy is too windy to ride?
I rode on highway 1 in Santa Cruz this past weekend and the wind was awful. Going from Santa Cruz to Davenport (approx 12 miles) it took me over an hour to get there with the wind blowing sand in my face and slowing down the descents. However, on the way back I s was FLYING. It took me 30 minutes to get back into town and I barely felt the wind.

It's like running up a hill, there's always the downhill to enjoy.
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