Head wind Vs Tail wind

[megale3]

How do you attack both scenarios where there is a significant force from both?
Is it natural to increase intensity in a head wind and decrease it on a tail wind? Or should you reverse the rolls? What if you were to do neither and keep the same intensity though out?
Meg

[SpinningInPrescott]

I'd be watching my HRM the whole time and making sure I kept a consistent effort...

:) PS

[Todd S]

Is it natural to increase intensity in a head wind and decrease it on a tail wind?

That option will be fastest. Same goes for ascending and descending.

[megale3]

I like that you brought up descents and accents. Tactics for a route! Some terrain you know like hills and valleys but some are not like head winds and tail winds and you almost can't plan for. I know when I ride the Gorge here that there will definitely be winds but how fast and if the gust is not known until you ride.
Good stuff

[BFSpin]

How do you attack both scenarios where there is a significant force from both?
Is it natural to increase intensity in a head wind and decrease it on a tail wind? Or should you reverse the rolls? What if you were to do neither and keep the same intensity though out?
Meg

All I know is that I used to really HATE riding in the wind. After riding in the wind in 30 degree weather, I learned to appreciate it. I just don't ever look at my computer when I'm in the wind . . . only HRM. It's demoralizing to have the perception of a 24+ mph effort only to look down and see that the speed is actually half that. Grrrrr.

Really though, I tend to keep a similar intensity in both . . . in a headwind I get mad and push through it; in a tailwind, I'm just so happy with the speed at less effort that I push for more.

But if given the choice, I'd climb a mountain any day!

Beth

[megale3]

Wind is a double edge sword isn't it? I always seem to think that no matter what dirrection I turn its there in my face :D

[BFSpin]

Wind is a double edge sword isn't it? I always seem to think that no matter what dirrection I turn its there in my face :D

That's because it IS! :D

Beth

[JFK]

A power meter is really nice to have in the wind (it's always nice, but especially so in this case), so you can see that even though you are going v. slowly, you are cranking the watts.

[megale3]

A power meter is really nice to have in the wind (it's always nice, but especially so in this case), so you can see that even though you are going v. slowly, you are cranking the watts.
So I am taking it you would steady state your watts through both JFK?

[Todd S]

So I am taking it you would steady state your watts through both JFK?

Not if she's been reading her e-mails from the wattage list on a regular basis. :)

[JFK]

So I am taking it you would steady state your watts through both JFK?

Training or racing? Big difference. As Todd alludes above, if one is TTing, you want to use any opportunities to recover that you can, including tailwinds and descents. So, if you can back off the power and maintain good speed, go for it.

If I were on a training ride, it would depend on what I was up to, but I would probably try to have my hard efforts going into the wind and my recoveries going downwind. I have an easier time working "against" something like a climb or a headwind (as much as I hate headwinds)

[AC]

All the hours spent indoors seem to have the most benefit for me into a headwind. The cadence drills, maintaining pedal speed, rhythmic movement seem to thrive in a head wind.

The terrain is always the same. The wind is the unexpected. I like the unexpected. I like to watch my buddies struggle with it. Everything sounds louder in the headwind. So it requires more calmness. You're not going to go that fast today. Deal with it.

[lizardbiker]

How do you attack both scenarios where there is a significant force from both?
Is it natural to increase intensity in a head wind and decrease it on a tail wind? Or should you reverse the rolls? What if you were to do neither and keep the same intensity though out?
Meg
A mild headwind is the worst for me, as it doesn't seem to even be there, so I keep checking the tires for flats, etc. Throw in a stronger wind, some pouring rain, some branches flying, and darkness, now THAT'S RIDING!!! The only thing that would make it better would be a van following with big weather proof speakers playing The Flight of the Valkyrie really loud and I'd be in heaven!
Sidewinds are cool, as you have to really concentrate on when to lean and when to unlean so you don't tip or go off the road.
In a nutshell, I look at headwinds as a great training opportunity to get a better workout in for the same amount of miles. The rain is great for theatrics, but adds to the post ride clean up time and time explaining to your significant other why riding in that kind of weather is a)fun b)good for you and c)safe

[megale3]

Sidewinds are cool, as you have to really concentrate on when to lean and when to unlean so you don't tip or go off the road.

Bladed spokes have a way of making this even more fun. not to mention full disks even Zipp 404's
M