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Looking at the forecast for the weekend, 20mph westerly gusting to 58!
Was out on Monday in only slightly less blowy conditions, although hidden in amongst trees and down by riverbanks, so arguably I've earned the right to a bit of a freebie.
Would it be tempting fate to take the train west and just be blown back home? 😆
I rode last weekend around Ladybower, in places the wind was gusting enough to blow me sideways. Completely randomly my route choice gave me a tailwind on a longish draggy climb, at times I swear I could've stopped pedalling and still moved; it was that strong. There'll be enough times you'll have a headwind from hell, what nature gives, it takes back, so you may as well make the most of it.
Would it be tempting fate to take the train west and just be blown back home? ?
All we can do is base decisions on the facts we have at the time. That sounds too good an opportunity not to take a punt on! 🙂
Sounds like good planning to me 🙂
I've done that many times.
Including once on the Festive 500 where the idea of slogging out in those conditions, especially on my SS road bike, was not appealing.
So I got the train to Chester and rode back east. A lovely 100km day!
#willnoonethinkofthestrava
#willnoonethinkofthestrava
Haha! I'm almost avoiding the one local segment I actually care about as I feel I would be cheating myself to finally break the top ten just because of a tailwind, but I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one there due to favourable atmospheric conditions... (plus I'm not actually confident I COULD break top ten on the winter bike, tailwind or no).
Considering letting the wind take me east instead on the gravel bike, but that requires a leap of faith that the train home will still be running...
I quite often get the train to Cambridge and ride back when the wind is favourable. I had never considered the implications of Karma. Saying that, as I usually ride on my own, I definitely get plenty of mileage into a headwind.
Was thinking of riding with a new group on Sunday, not sure I fancy riding at all in that wind!
Fair game! I've done it loads!
That's basically my entire gameplan for riding at a reasonable pace.
I do it all the time. A 35 mile loop from home and you might never be more than 8-10 miles from your front door, which still feels like you're near home. 35 miles on the train can take me to half a dozen different towns or cities, it feels like more of a day out and you're not doing the same old country lanes or tracks. It does annoy me how 45 minutes on the train to Sheffield is £2.90 and 18 minutes to York is £22!
Road equivalent of an uplift. Crack on!
That’s basically my entire gameplan for riding at a reasonable pace.
Same here, I look at the wind speed and direction and plan accordingly, one of life's pleasures.
I think it’s a great idea as long as the trains are running. Up here at the weekend it’s often a bus replacement service.
I did it once when I lived in Aberdeen. It was a strong south easterly wind so we cycled to Inverness and gott the train back. Was a grand day out. The predominant wind where I am now is southerly or westerly. I have often thought about taking the train to Perth early in the morning when the trains are quiet and riding the tailwind home.