Does anyone have any tips for riding into the wind? Any techniques? I had a hell of a time riding today - wind all the way out and then the wind shifted and it was wind all the way back.
MysteryBee - Can't get any lower on my bike, it's meant for sitting up straighter in the saddle, couldn't get into a lower gear - was at the lowest gear possible, and no cursing with a 3 year old within earshot (because how are you going to parent a child who starts cursing at you, while on a bike fighting a headwind and not cursing more extensively for cursing extensively in the first place?)
NidanRider - I don't drink, but thinking about how I could get the neighbor to let me borrow the hottub worked for a little while.
BarrieRider - If I turned around every time I hit headwind today, I'd have been going in circles (but my husband thought that going in circles was a wonderful idea - and he's still laughing at the suggestion).
RSinfield - Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!
What I've learned from today's ride: Suck it up and keep riding, Princess!
Keep the advice coming, I really do appreciate it, it's just been one of those days!
carrying that much weight full on aerobars wouldn't of helped :)
have you considered bullhorns for your handlebars? if you feel you can safely get your hands back on the brakes, it will allow you more hand positions and allow you to stretch out a bit more in the headwinds.
RSinfield - Have tried those bars, but I get really bad pain while putting my left arm in that type of position from my accident (I had problems in spin classes for the same reason). Figured the wind was less pain.
Ricky - If there had been a big guy to draft behind, I would have been learning how to do that today, let me tell you!
needless to say (and further to the pie charts), wind is inherent of riding and hard to escape. As others have suggested, gear down and keep a high cadence. Beyond that, focus on your breathing and position on the bike. if you can't get down lower, really concentrate your posture and not loosing energy being "slumped" over on the bike. keep your back nice and straight, arms straight, and butt a little further back on the seat. this will translate to better energy distribution to your legs and will help push you through that wind :)
ya i will take any hills over wind any day... with hills you do'm and they're over, wind it's in your face until you go the oppisite direction and then you reap the reward of a tailwind.
if the wind is heavy ie 25-30 i try to take a route that is favourable, if you're doing a loop and going into the wind first start at the easier direction...
Breezy Rider - Touche! I'll just suck it up from now on! And I'd love to curse, except I pay for it if I do (that's what happens when you're a stay at home mum and your riding buddy is the one that's attached to your bike).
