Re: windy everywhere this year?

Quoted message said:

[ This is a repost of the following article: ]
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[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year? ]
[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides ]
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Pat who? said:

Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
today is ridiculous.....

For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.

http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn

Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.

http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)

These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.

Jobst Brandt

Jobst Brandt

I've been complaining about the wind for months. I've been commuting
by bike for around 7 years and I don't remember it being as much of a
factor as it has for the last two. It just seems like it's stronger
each spring. Maybe I'm just getting weaker.

dgk said:

Quoted message said:

[ This is a repost of the following article: ]
[ From: [email hidden] ]
[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year? ]
[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides ]
[ Message-ID: <[email hidden]> ]

Quoted message said:

Pat who? wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
today is ridiculous.....

Quoted message said:

For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.

Quoted message said:

http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn

Quoted message said:

Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.

Quoted message said:

http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)

Quoted message said:

These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.

Quoted message said:

Jobst Brandt

Quoted message said:

Jobst Brandt

I've been complaining about the wind for months. I've been commuting
by bike for around 7 years and I don't remember it being as much of a
factor as it has for the last two. It just seems like it's stronger
each spring. Maybe I'm just getting weaker.

Yup. Here too (WI). Cold as well. 'Til now. Now it's in the mid to
upper 80's (hot for this time of year) and threatening thunderstorms
for the next ten days (currently 60% chance). Nights aren't dipping
much below 70.

Been a less than perfect year for training for a fair weather cyclist
like myself. Now I get ta go grind out 200k in the hills west of
Madison (www.horriblyhilly.com).

Gah. Ugh.

D'ohBoy

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. So when the
wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
ABS

In article
<[email hidden]>,

D'ohBoy said:

dgk said:

Quoted message said:

[ This is a repost of the following article:
]
[ From: [email hidden]
]
[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year?
]
[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides
]
[ Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
]

Quoted message said:

Pat who? wrote:

Quoted message said:

> Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
> Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
> have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
> Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
> today is ridiculous.....

Quoted message said:

For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.

Quoted message said:

http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn

Quoted message said:

Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.

Quoted message said:

http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)

Quoted message said:

These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.

Quoted message said:

Jobst Brandt

Quoted message said:

Jobst Brandt

I've been complaining about the wind for months. I've been commuting
by bike for around 7 years and I don't remember it being as much of a
factor as it has for the last two. It just seems like it's stronger
each spring. Maybe I'm just getting weaker.

Yup. Here too (WI). Cold as well. 'Til now. Now it's in the mid to
upper 80's (hot for this time of year) and threatening thunderstorms
for the next ten days (currently 60% chance). Nights aren't dipping
much below 70.

Been a less than perfect year for training for a fair weather cyclist
like myself. Now I get ta go grind out 200k in the hills west of
Madison (www.horriblyhilly.com).

Gah. Ugh.

D'ohBoy

Today, in beautiful Fox Valley Illinois, the weather has been very
cloudy, moderately humid, 81F and winds from the south at 25~30 mph.
So, I didn't ride my bike today.

I rode the unicycle instead. :-)

--
This signature can be appended to your outgoing mesages. Many people include in
their signatures contact information, and perhaps a joke or quotation.

Quoted message said:

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. So when the
wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
ABS

I agree--with limits. Crosswinds are dangerous when they're gusting.

Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't consider
it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....

And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".

I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

Pat in TX

Quoted message said:

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. So when the
wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
ABS

I try to ride out into the wind and ride back with it. I am not always
able to pull this off, but it is a sweet ride when I can do it. Living
in Texas, I get a lot of practice riding in the wind.

I call the wind my secondary training partner. My new motto: What doesn't
kill you only makes you stronge.r
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Quoted message said:

[ This is a repost of the following
]
[ From:
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[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this
]
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[email hidden]> ]

Pat who? said:

Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
today is ridiculous.....

For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.

http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn

Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.

http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)

These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.

Jobst Brandt

Jobst Brandt

Mark Pirus said:

I call the wind my secondary training partner. My new motto: What
doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

I see you don't ride bicycle for the fun and adventure of going places
others don't. Riding in the flats against the wind is masochism. If
your bicycling isn't purely for exercise, you could pick a mountainous
course that goes to interesting places.

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/6.1.html

Jobst Brandt

someone said:

Quoted message said:

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some
fancy-schmantzy gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more
fit. So when the wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided
that it is my friend, providing a more rigorous workout for me at
no extra cost.

Quoted message said:

I try to ride out into the wind and ride back with it. I am not
always able to pull this off, but it is a sweet ride when I can do
it. Living in Texas, I get a lot of practice riding in the wind.

In that respect, what effect winds have on riding is not obvious:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/wind.html

Jobst Brandt

Pat said:

And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".

I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

I think I see a commercial possibility.

IIRC, one can buy cyclometers that measure the total amount of
climbing one has done during a ride. But since the wind is the main
resistance to most people's cycling, we need a cyclometer that
measures the total distance we ride through the air, in addition to
the total distance we cover on the ground. IOW, we need to measure
the length of the airstream passing the cyclometer.

Sounds like a job for Avocet! (Are they still in business?)

- Frank Krygowski

Pat said:

Quoted message said:

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit.  So when the
wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
ABS

I agree--with limits. Crosswinds are dangerous when they're gusting.

Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't consider
it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....

And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".

I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

Pat in TX

45 * 12 = $540 or more than I paid for my bike.
Nope, I'll stick with the bike and the wind.
ABS

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".

I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

I think I see a commercial possibility.

IIRC, one can buy cyclometers that measure the total amount of
climbing one has done during a ride. But since the wind is the main
resistance to most people's cycling, we need a cyclometer that
measures the total distance we ride through the air, in addition to
the total distance we cover on the ground. IOW, we need to measure
the length of the airstream passing the cyclometer.

Sounds like a job for Avocet! (Are they still in business?)

- Frank Krygowski

You left out the time factor. Time seems to slow down when one rides in a
headwind.

Pat in TX

Quoted message said:

Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't
consider
it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....

Pat in TX

45 * 12 = $540 or more than I paid for my bike.
Nope, I'll stick with the bike and the wind.
ABS

You sir, are not a swimmer.

Pat in TX

Frank Krygowski said:

Pat said:

And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".

I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

I think I see a commercial possibility.

IIRC, one can buy cyclometers that measure the total amount of
climbing one has done during a ride. But since the wind is the main
resistance to most people's cycling, we need a cyclometer that
measures the total distance we ride through the air, in addition to
the total distance we cover on the ground. IOW, we need to measure
the length of the airstream passing the cyclometer.

Sounds like a job for Avocet! (Are they still in business?)

Even if they are, you could only order the new cyclometer if the
certified check arrives at their office between 11:30-12:45 on the
second and third Thursdays of even-numbered months, or 1:25-2:15 on
the first and fourth Tuesdays of odd numbered months.

😉

Email address works as is.

It gusted up to 51mph on Thursday and 35mph on Friday here in Eastern
Minnesota

Quoted message said:

I dunno, I've always found appreciation of the Arts is
best accomplished while stationary.

Why not talk about how to enjoy a good filet mignon
while riding?

When people talk about listening to music without
actually experiencing it, they're really talking
about their preference for background noise.

I've not talked about eating while riding, but I sure have thought about it
and planned for it. One year I spent the entire last half of the Hotter 'n'
Hell Hundred planning my after-ride meal down to the nth detail!

Pat in TX

Pat said:

Quoted message said:

Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't
consider
it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....

Pat in TX

45 * 12 = $540 or more than I paid for my bike.
Nope, I'll stick with the bike and the wind.
ABS

You sir, are not a swimmer.

Pat in TX

They just opened up a new municipal pool near me:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/capital/parks/flushing_meadows_corona_park_pool_rink.html

It's actually three large pools side by side, diving, lap (10 lanes),
and general frolic. Indoor. The best part is that all you need is a
NYC recreation card, which, for folks 55 and older, is $10 per year.
My very first senior discount!

So, if the weather is so crappy that I don't want to ride the 15 mile
(each way) commute, I park my car by the park-and-ride near the park,
and go swimming on the way home. Either I bike or I swim, almost every
day.

Quoted message said:

someone said:

Quoted message said:

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some
fancy-schmantzy gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more
fit. So when the wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided
that it is my friend, providing a more rigorous workout for me at
no extra cost.

Quoted message said:

I try to ride out into the wind and ride back with it. I am not
always able to pull this off, but it is a sweet ride when I can do
it. Living in Texas, I get a lot of practice riding in the wind.

In that respect, what effect winds have on riding is not obvious:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/wind.html

Jobst Brandt

I think a bluff body is when I suck in my gut.