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<\/p>\nRiding into the teeth of a headwind for a prolonged period can be a nightmare-like experience. Here’s 6 tips to fight headwind hell.<\/p>\n
If strong winds are forecast, plan your route to minimise their effects: Rather than riding an unsheltered road straight into the wind, look for an alternative route traversing the wind direction, preferably with hedge or tree cover. A longer ride with cross winds might be preferable to a shorter, harder (and slower) ride into the wind. If a strong block headwind is unavoidable, try to start with the headwind, reverse your route if necessary. Getting the worst bit out of the way first, while you are fresh is always better.<\/p>\n
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If you have to ride in to the teeth of a head wind, try not to face it alone. A problem shared is a problem halved… Sharing the headwind with another rider is a great way to lessen the pain and increase the speed. Taking turns to shelter behind is the most effective way for two or more riders to ride into the wind. If you are stronger than the person you are riding with, sit up and give them a bit of extra shelter.<\/p>\n
Just like riding up hills the headwind is giving you more resistance and can make you stronger, if it doesn’t kill you… Don\u2019t fall into the trap of being over-geared, pedalling a smaller gear at a higher cadence will keep you fresher and in better shape for the tailwind. A higher cadence will also allow you to be able to overcome gusts of wind easier too. Just like the bonus of a cracking view from the top of the hill, the end of a strong headwind section often offers the reward of a decent bit of tailwind or cross-tailwind to cheer you up.<\/p>\n
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Wear closer fitting clothing, this can help cut through the headwind more effectively. Use the conditions to think about your riding position. It\u2019s not a headwind – it\u2019s your own personal wind tunnel! So get down on the drops, flat back, tuck your elbows in and crack on. Being more aerodynamic will increase your speed for any given power output. Only one third of the aero drag created by a cyclist is their bike, two-thirds is the rider.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t let the headwind break you mentally. Stay strong, the headwind is not the enemy \u2013 you can\u2019t defeat nature so work with it. Remember back to your last really good tailwind and remember \u2013 what goes around comes around. The headwind won’t last forever…<\/p>\n
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So if you ride a straight road into a headwind, then turn and return with a tailwind \u2013 is it best to try harder into the headwind or the tailwind? The experts reckon that going harder into the headwind is the best overall use of power. One reason why is that if most of your time is spent riding into the wind \u2013 because you are riding slower. Reducing the amount of time where you are travelling slower is the best use of power. Former World Hour Record Holder and original thinker, Graeme Obree, commented \u201cIt\u2019s often not the person that goes the fastest that wins, it\u2019s the person who slows down the least.\u201d<\/p>\n
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