Riding with high cross winds

[justinmahn]

It just depends on the day. Sometimes going faster helps too, to get above the speed of the gusts. I said on the ritual page that I don't have much of one, but I forgot that looking at weather advisories is part of mine.

[Barracuda]

I always look at the weather in the morning before I determine whether I'm going to ride to work or drive. I'm still new to riding, so when I see that the wind is expected to be up above 15 mph, I generally don't ride since I have to go over a bridge across a bay that means there is absolutely no protection from the wind and I know it's going to be more than what they're calling for on the bridge. Not riding in high wind conditions also helps to alleviate some of the concerns for safety that my wife has about my new ride.

While being new, I have noticed a couple things that I try to do in higher wind conditions.
1. I do tend to slow down about 5mph. Riding just a little slower seems to boost my confidence in being able to deal with the wind.
2. I ride more toward the side of the lane that the wind is coming from
3. I lean my body a little toward the front of the bike to lower my center of gravity.
4. I try to remind myself that the I need to keep my hands and body relaxed so that I can more quickly counteract any gusts that occur -- A tight body and muscle does not react very quickly.

I know I'm new, but its interesting that the things that I've tried to tell myself about this are those things that most of the experienced riders on this thread have said. That makes me feel a little more confident and I really do appreciate the feedback from experienced riders -- especially on threads like this one.

Thanks everyone!

[superdiver]

Just like everything on a bike, it takes experience.

When i rode down south I went all over the west and western Canada. I usually ran into high winds in the open farm type lands or open nothingness that is NE and WY.

You usually have to lean a little, not much in 20-30 mph winds. I learned to look for the wind gusts coming, by noticing what was rolling across the fields or hyway infront of me. I would try and make sure I was in the side of my lane that would give me the most play room if it was a VERY strong wind. And be prepared to lean into it like a turn, just not too much.

It doesnt take much, but let me tell you, a good head wind will kill your milage...dont learn like me, gas up eraly and aften!