Riding in strong winds

[wkid_one]

The g/f and I went for a ride today to a French settlement called Akaroa, great ride consisting of medium length straights joined by sweeping and 90deg corners, moving onto 13km of tight hill corners, followed by about 40km of twisting rising and falling bends.

However today was exceptionally windy, no problems with the last two sections, but the faster section, which follows the bottom of the hills. Large trees were being bent like small branches, and we were on a lean, constantly adjusting, trying to go in a straight line! And of course when a row of trees or a hedge shelters the road, you have to compensate immediately or go off the road. Not too mention going around corners changing the angle you're hit by the wind, the oncoming stock and milk trucks!

Most of the ride was great, but riding in that level of wind was farkin frustrating. The g/f found it unnerving, with the bike moving around and all. Who else here has found themselves in this situation, or worse. (sandstorm, etc.)

BTW, wasn't that windy when we left.

Top of the 'takas is renouned for this.

Esp the second to last left hand bend before the top on the Hutt Side.

I was riding up with Mangell et all - and literally got stood upright by the wind from a full knee down position.....kinda fucks your steering up somewhat too (not as bad as my highside tho). No warning - no avoiding it.......

I hate wind.

I remember riding down the himatangis to Wellington - full on breeze (read wind for those out of Wellington) - and had the big lean on - and then the following sequence of events occured.

1. Went past some trees - wind blocked - me shoot right from lean - past trees, wind hits me again - shoot back left until I adjust.
2. Truck passes me - get hit by the wind wall the lovely aerodynamics of the truck, then it sucks me in as it passes - and as it spits me out I get hit by the wind again
3. The wind stops all together and I nearly shoot of to the right.

Gotta love it

[Pickle]

Coming back from cold kiwi couple of years ago nearly lost my tank bag coming in to Bulls. Turning on to Foxton straights is always interesting when its blowing which is 90% of the time.
Best way to combat the wind Ive found is to attack the wind, keep the power on and use body weight. Just my way.

[Hitcher]

My worst wind experience (now there's one for Beavis) was between the Mt Bruce summit and Eketahuna -- an absolute screamer of a nor'wester! And it was flat calm when we left Masterton...

Another tricky moment was going up the 'takas -- not so much the wind itself but the weird "suck" effects it created on some corners -- into the hill too, which came as a surprise.

[Panther]

My worst wind experience was going along SH1 just south of Foxton, there is a short bridge and then a gap and then a very long bridge, and of course i was going along the very long bridge and wasn't paying enough attention and when i came out i was half blown off the road. i quickly adjusted and got to the 'safety' of the short bridge. but man, i was not prepared for the big wind gust between bridges.

[pritch]

Over the years I have decided I don't like the combination of strong winds and wet roads at all.

Down near Bluff on my K100RS once I was down to about 40kph and was getting passed by Mack trucks. Not much fun.

On my way back to New Plymouth from Auckland another time I moved over to the left prior to a right hand bend then got a huge gust in my right ear which put me into the loose metal at 100kph plus.
Guaranteed to wake you up.

Coming north through Dunedin this year; rain, fog, and a howling gale. A long way from home, I didn't know where I was or where I was going, but all the other traffic was bombing along as if it was full visibility. Very uncomfortable.

I'd avoid these conditions if I had the option, otherwise I guess all one can do is slow down and change the lines so as to stay nearer the middle of the lane.

[babyblade250rr]

i'm also not a great fan of wind however i would rather compete with wind than rain i hate rain!!!

[Str8 Jacket]

When riding a gale I try to stay as loose as possible.
.

Yep, I find that that's the best thing to do. I have had quite a few incidents that were caused by the wind. I found that if I kept my arms loose and my leg firmly (but not to tightly) on the tank it really helped. Gusts are awful though cause it kind of just hits you like a wall, but if your legs are firm on the tank and your arms loose then (if it hasnt already blown you into a grass bank) you can usually use your hips to guide the bike where you want it... Just what ive found anyway. Relaxing really does help!

[jrandom]

Thick fog in the dark on the open road always gives me the shits. Riding SH1 through the Waikato before sunrise a week or so ago, I was tiptoeing along at 80kph being passed by cars and wiping my visor every 10 seconds.

[vifferman]

Yeah, fog sux.
I'd rather ride in rain, wind, rain+wind, or whatever than fog.
SNow's OK, except it has the same problem as fog - visor gets obscured, and it's hard to ride with it up too.

[Virago]

Panther, Panther, Panther...

[jrandom]

Panther, Panther, Panther...

Mushroom, mushroom?

Snake!

[cowpoos]

meh...ridden in gail force winds heaps on the farm...ya soon learn how to counter wind blasts...its not enjoyable riding!!

[don rocard]

Had a tank bag,got hit with a real puff of wind on the Bombay Hills.The bag let go on one side and flicked over my arm,shit that was a quick lane change,thankfully no cars to deal with.

[Mr Merde]

In the mid 90's I was working as a intercity bike courier.

Day started out OK but by the end I was riding in what turned out to be a hurricane.

I was up in the valleys of Wales and trees being uprooted and blown over in the narrow roads and lanes.

I rode most of the way at speeds of 20-30 mph with frequent stops.

The firm I was delivering to made me stop and rest for an hour before I was allowed to carry on.

Needless to say I was absolutely knackered by ther time I got home. Something that should have taken an hour or two took more like 5-6 hours.

[McJim]

I went out for a ride after eating beans, tuna, egg and onions all mixed up and then spread on toast.

Sheesh that was a windy experience - I threw the trousers in the bin when I got home....sorry, my bad, wrong kinda wind.

Wow - who necro'd this thread?