Riding into a head wind has a serious effect on the power you need to produce to maintain a given speed. As you try and speed up the graph is also exponential. What this means is that if the head wind is 1okmph and you are traveling at 15kmph and want to travel at 30kmph. you would need more than double the effort used at 15kmph. Confusing? without getting too deep into this lets say that ground speed plus head wind speed = Affective air speed. So as ground speed increases so does the head wind speed (you are traveling faster into the head wind) so your affective air speed is exponential and will require you to use a lot more energy as you go faster and faster. Its the same on a calm day. but head winds make it a lot easier to notice.

now that i have confused most including myself,  lets get back to basics

A couple things to remember when you are riding solo into a head wind (another day i will do a group riding post that will include a section on winds)

1. Get as aero as possible. By creating the best aerodynamic position for your body (hands in the drops and head down) you will create less resistance meaning you will use less power to maintain a given speed. Keep your elbows in, knees as close to the top tube as possible. For the riders that have a power meter you will be able to notice the drop in power when you assume the aero position
2. Don’t try and fight to stay at a certain speed. most winds are going to be gusty and you will speed up and slow down as the wind hits your chest. if you try and fight it too much you will quickly burn yourself out. knowing your limits will help greatly
3. Take as easier gear, spinning a slightly higher than normal cadence will help with the wind gusts. it will also help protect your knees. grinding a low cadence into a head wind is a quick way to knee surgery
4. Avoid wearing a big baggy jacket or if your a commuter, your backpack. Anything that can catch the wind is going to make it a lot harder for you to gain any forward momentum
5. When the wind shift slightly across you try and get protection from trees, shrubs, houses anything around you.
6. If you want to make it easier, take the wind on with a friend. you can rotate turns at the front while the second guy recovers (i will write another article on this at a later stage)
7. If you don’t like the wind, then avoid it, head out early in the morning or late afternoon
8. Riding into a head wind is similar to riding up hill. if you live in a really flat area and want to train for hills, just head out on a windy day and battle the head wind as much as you can

hopefully this help next time you are out training with a head wind

This post is tagged riding, solo, Training, wind