Crosswinds

Message

smiles · #1 Unread post by **smiles** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:20 am

As much as I love riding my bike crosswinds are a real kick in the pants! It's bad enough when I'm in my truck and I'm getting pushed all over the road littleless on my bike. I try not to ride on days when there is going to be winds over 35mph but then again sometime it can not be helped(the weather forecasters around amarillo stink). For some of you guys and gals how are on bikes that are 700/ 800pounds and up it may not be a big deal but those on lighter bikes it can get rough.
smiles

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:23 am

Ahhh, it's not that bad. My bikes awfully light as far as street bikes go, but all you need to do is lean into the wind a ways and you'll be fine.

The worst for me was riding through the city one time when a HUGE gust of wind whipped down through the skyscrappers and just grabbed my back tire, then shoved it clear across my lane almost into oncoming traffic. I thought for sure I was going down.

sharpmagna · Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:37 am

Yeah it isn't too bad as long as you are in the mindset that the crosswinds are strong and you prepare yourself to counter it. My bike is about 550 pounds and I still get pushed around. Also my rear wheel is solid (similar to a VROD) and it is a nice "sail" in the wind...

Andrew · #4 Unread post by **Andrew** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:40 am

That definetely sounds like Amarillo...

#5 Unread post by **bok** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:55 am

one of the best ways to beat a cross wind is too not tighten up.

tough to do when the wind blasts you and scares you but when you are tight, you don't react as smoothly to the condition.

The other thing to keep in mind is to watch for places you know wind will be stronger than normal (bridges, hills, between buildings etc.) and ease your lane position so that if you do get pushed a little you aren't going into a different lane or the shoulder of the road.

Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:31 am

Actually a bigger bike dosent have it any better. My husband has a Gold Wing the bigger the bike the bigger the sail.

+1 on Changing your lane position and leaning a bit towards the wind.

A few months back were passing an 18 wheeler and the crosswind hit us just as we passed his front end and were almost sucked onto the shoulder... not cool!

hot_shoe_cv · Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:18 am

Here's a little tip that may help those with sport bikes, any bike with drag bars, or other narrow bars: gain a little more leverage by gripping the bars at the outside ends of the grips instead of inboard against the grip guards. Trials riders do that all the time to improve control over rocky or rough terrain.

#8 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:24 am

Sorry to hear it. My bike is virtually immune to wind.

Bachstrad37 · Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:17 am

I've really noticed that drag bars the main deciding factor on cruisers. I think the weight helps. It's the size of front surface that determines the impact of wind against bike.

Andrew13 · #10 Unread post by **Andrew13** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:17 am

ZooTech wrote:Sorry to hear it. My bike is virtually immune to wind.

I don't know what Ohio wind is like. I'm curious to know if you have a lot of experience with the 'Gusting to 50+' kind of weather I would consider windy.