Recently we have had a lot of wind in our area. I try to work out routes that let me go out into the wind and return with it behind me. It does not always work out. Some days the wind shifts against me on my return trip.
I was on a webinar listening to author and coach John Howard of John Howard Performance Sports. He said, “The Wind Is Your Friend.” Since we have to live with the conditions as they are, we might as well take advantage of them. You can ride hard into the wind then turn around and recover for a while. On my ride yesterday, the wind was up in the 30mph plus range. Gusts were reported at over 40mph. I was on the Centennial Trail and staid east of Lemont Road to have some protection provided by the woods. I just do not go as far in my training time when I have to ride into the wind. I typically have to drop into the lower gears so I can keep a reasonable cadence.
Riding into the wind, my heart rate monitor shows that I am getting a good workout. When the wind is behind me, while I go much faster, my heart rate is slower and I am not working as hard as I might.
One of the topics that comes up in planning a coast-to-coast bicycle ride, is the prevailing wind. It is west to east. I am starting in Anacortes, WA on the west coast. I am not counting on tail wind as I bike across the USA.