When wind is the everyday weather
Some places are windy most of the time: coasts, open plains, high ground and broad river valleys. Riders there cannot wait for a calm day, so they learn to work with the wind. This article is about steady, sustained wind and how to ride efficiently through it. Sudden side gusts and steering control are covered in our separate crosswind article, so here the focus is on effort, position and planning.
Wind is mainly an energy problem. Riding into it, you push against moving air, and the faster you go, the more air resistance you meet. Our explanation of cycling aerodynamics goes into the physics. The practical lesson is that wind makes a ride harder than the distance suggests, and that planning for this saves a lot of frustration.
Pace headwind riding by effort, not speed
The most common mistake in a headwind is chasing the speed you would normally hold. You then burn energy early and struggle later. Instead:
- Accept a lower speed. Ride at an effort you could keep up for the whole trip.
- Use how you feel, such as breathing and leg effort, as your guide rather than the speed on a computer.
- Shift to an easier gear and keep a comfortable cadence. Spinning lightly usually tires you less than grinding a hard gear. Our notes on pacing effort and gear choice apply directly here.
- Expect the same stretch to take longer in each direction and plan food and drink accordingly.
Headwind riding feels mentally tiring too. Breaking the route into short sections, such as “to the next bridge”, can make it feel more manageable.
Get lower and smaller
Wind resistance is largely about how much of you meets the air. A lower, narrower position generally reduces it. You can do this without going to extremes:
- Bend your elbows and relax your shoulders so your torso drops slightly.
- Hold the handlebar in the drops or closer to the front of the bars if your bike allows it and you stay comfortable.
- Keep knees and elbows close to the frame instead of flaring them out.
- Avoid sitting bolt upright with a flapping jacket. Fitted or zipped clothing creates less drag.
Comfort and control come first. A position you cannot hold or that reduces your ability to brake and steer is a poor trade. If a lower position strains your back, neck or wrists, ease off, and consider a bike fit review. Our bike fit basics article is a good start.
Plan routes around wind direction
If you can choose, start into the wind and finish with it behind you. That way, when you are fresh you take the harder section, and when you are tired the wind helps you home. A loop that is windy on the way out and easy on the way back is often more pleasant than the reverse, and you are less likely to get stranded far from home on tired legs.
Check the forecast for wind speed and direction. Keep in mind that wind can change during the day, and that it is often stronger on exposed roads, bridges and open ground. Good route planning might include:
- Choosing roads with hedges, trees, buildings or cuttings that break the wind.
- Avoiding long exposed ridges and causeways on the windiest days.
- Having a shorter bail-out option if conditions are tougher than expected.
Remember that a tailwind can feel effortless and hide how fast you are going. Watch your speed in traffic and on descents, and think about how the return leg will feel before you commit to a long outward leg.
Using shelter and riding with others
Shelter from other riders, hedges or buildings can reduce effort. Riding closely behind another cyclist is called drafting, and it is the idea behind paceline riding. It takes practice, communication and good bike control, so try it only with experienced riders who are comfortable with it, and begin with generous gaps. Never follow closely behind a vehicle. Take turns at the front on group rides so that no one tires out, and agree signals beforehand.
Natural windbreaks help alone too. Even brief shelter allows a moment to drink, eat or recover. Be aware that shelter ends suddenly at gaps, and gusts may push you sideways when you emerge.
Keep the bike steady and the body fuelled
Hold the bars with a relaxed, secure grip and keep your hands near the brakes. Wind can make a loose bag, flapping jacket or wide load behave oddly, so secure anything that catches the air. Deep-section wheels and large panniers react more to wind, so on very blustery days consider the setup you ride.
Eat and drink regularly, as wind-driven rides often use more energy than they feel like. In cooler wind, the chill can sneak up, so carry a windproof layer.
Know when it is too much
Persistent wind is manageable; severe gales are not. If you struggle to hold a line, branches are down, or you are being blown into traffic, stop or turn back. When you decide to ride, wear a helmet, build up on quiet, flat roads, and keep a flexible plan. Results vary with the rider, the bike and the day, so go by how you feel.