Has anyone actually been blown off their bike?

[NOMIS]

Ive got nothing clean to say so ill just be quiet

[Big Dave]

Here let me:

Well there was this redhead.....oh, blown off the bike.

[Badjelly]

While driving my Fiat 132 in a screaming NWer in Canterbury 2.5 decades ago (I remember we passed thru Windwhistle) I wondered whether it was possible for the wind to blow a car off the road. No, surely not, I reassured myself. But last year I believe a car got blown off the road somewhere in N Canterbury and ended up in a field-- I saw a news photo.

I've never been blown off my bike, but I do remember an unintended lane change on the motorway at the bottom of Ngauranga Gorge on my Suzuki GT250.

[BOGAR]

Came very close when heading past Carterton to Wellington one day. Wind was strong and very persistent so i was slowly getting closer to the edge of the road. Only thing that stopped me going off the road was a wind break that allowed me to get near the center of the road again. sxxt scared that day but strange thing was on the hill there was almost no wind. not quite the blown off but certainly blown across.

[vifferman]

I reckon, that if we were being technically correct, most of those that have been "blown off their bikes" were more likely to "have lost control of their bikes during windy conditions". And more than likely, this was due to overcompensating during a gust, then swerving violently as the gust diminished.
But of course, they'd never admit to that.

I too have ridden over the Harbour Bridge many times during windy conditions, and found that if you are reasonably relaxed, the bike will lean during gusts, but continue in a straight line, if you don't fight the bike in an attempt to remain upright. I also found from riding several different bikes in very windy conditions that some are worse than others. The VTR was relatively good - the half-fairing and lowish screen catching less wind (while providing less protection to wind from the front). Also, the diminutive front mudguard wasn't unduly affected by the wind.
In contrast, the VFR's fairing provides better wind protection, but also makes the bike blow a round a little more in side gusts. It also has the strange habit of steering in response to wind on the front mudguard and/or wheel and/or brake hardware. It was especialy noticeable riding north on the western clip-on when there was a strong southwesterly blowing. As it went past each panel of railing, the bike would steer right slightly, so that it was doing this strange wiggle as I rode along. Disconcerting, but not dangerous.

One thing I've thought of while riding in say a 120km/h wind is, "You've ridden at 100 km/h in a 40km/h or more wind - what's the difference?" And in absolute terms, there is none. If you can control your bike riding fast in a moderate wind, then you can control your bike riding slowly in more blustery conditions, Shirley?

[MIXONE]

Coming back from the Hokonui Moonshine many moons ago and a mate was blown off the road into a ditch.He had only had the bike for a week and it had won "Best Jap" the day before.Bike totally fucked,him totally gutted and I don't think his mrs has been back on a bike since!

[Str8 Jacket]

I reckon, that if we were being technically correct, most of those that have been "blown off their bikes" were more likely to "have lost control of their bikes during windy conditions". And more than likely, this was due to overcompensating during a gust, then swerving violently as the gust diminished.
But of course, they'd never admit to that.

Yeah maybe. I have definately learnt some skills to help keep me on my bike in wind but I know for sure that I could not have done much when I was blown off my bike the first time....

I was riding back from Lake Ferry back to Wgtn along a dead straight road when all of a sudden a gust of wind hit me like it was a brick wall. It just took me and the bike literally sideways then I left my bike while it went up the road a bit.

The second time I was turning right from Taranaki st into Vivian. As I was turing the corner a gust of wind hit me like a wall again. I had a big back pack on and was literally blown over sideways. Naturally due to the riding position the bike fell with me.

Like I say though, I weighed just under 50 kilos and my bike prob only 100 or so at the time......

As for the times I have been blown over lanes, yes they were and now are avoidable. In wgtn you learn really fast to keep ya revs high, arms loose and knees nicely resting firmly on the tank. Also keeping your distance from other vehicles around you on the road helps alot to!

[raftn]

Not blown off. but certainlt blown sideways once, didnt half freak me out!

[alanzs]

Winds will blow over tractor trailer rigs, so yes, they can blow over a bike and rider.
I have ridden very long distances (400+k's) through the desert in extremely strong winds where the bike is seriously leaning over.
I was riding in gale force winds through a canyon and was blown from the lane I was driving in, across two lanes of a freeway, narrowly missing a car, and death. No amount of counter steering would help. I just went faster...
Shit happens...

[vifferman]

It's a weird thing though.
I've been riding to work on the motorway recently, and the bike has developed strange handling in windy conditions - weaving around a wee bit. I've no idea what it is due to, but there's something about the aerodynamics of the rider and/or the bike, or something about the handling that's changed. Making sure the front tyre was properly inflated helped.
I'm fairly sure it didn't do this before, but I'm not sure before what.
Before the Storms were fitted?
Before I got a new jacket and helmet?
Before I upgraded the suspension?
It used to be SO stable, but now it feels a bit... skittery (?) Wandery?
Where's that freakin' spudwhat emotidweebicon when you need it...

[vifferman]

Winds will blow over tractor trailer rigs, so yes, they can blow over a bike and rider.

You're talking serious winds though.
I've ridden over the Harbour Bridge in winds gusting 130km/h or more, and it was scary, but I felt safe(ish). And then it was not as scary as driving a Renault 10 over the bridge in lesser winds...

[klingon]

Crikey. After reading some of those stories maybe I shouldn't be quite so casual about the whole thing!

I do enjoy a bit of excitement on my commute though. Same scenery every day... the novelty of "stupid things done by cagers" has worn off a bit... all I have left is the weather!

...One thing I've thought of while riding in say a 120km/h wind is, "You've ridden at 100 km/h in a 40km/h or more wind - what's the difference?" And in absolute terms, there is none. If you can control your bike riding fast in a moderate wind, then you can control your bike riding slowly in more blustery conditions, Shirley?

The trouble with this theory is when you're riding fast the wind is pretty consistent and always coming from the front. The aerodynamics of the bike are designed for that. When a gust of wind suddenly slaps you from the side things behave a bit differently.

[klingon]

I reckon the superior design of the Volty gives me an advantage over the rest of you lot with your fancy fairings and screens. The wind just whistles right through my little naked bike with her spoked wheels.

The Volty and I laugh at your smart bikes with their rev counters and fuel gauges! All they do is catch the wind!

[SPman]

Never had any trouble on the bridge in 40 yrs of crap weather.

The Rimutakas however............

[vifferman]

I reckon the superior design of the Volty gives me an advantage over the rest of you lot with your fancy fairings and screens. The wind just whistles right through my little naked bike with her spoked wheels.

That's true (for a given value of true).
However (but) the aerodynamics of a faired bike can be an advantage, especially in a head wind (or one just off the starboard or port bow). Plus if the wind's REEEEEAAALY strong,we can at least take refuge behind the windshield.
And it keeps a lot of the weather off.
But (however) the windshield can also be Eggs Sell Ant for funneling insects at one's visor.