Riding in the wind

[Matt]

Didn't notice the wind this morning, although you can hardly feel the Southerlies coming down the Hutt as they're head on.

Best advice I would give isn't about riding but just to park your bike in well sheltered spot in town - so many get blown over and last week 3 bikes were down in my usual spot on The Terrace (luckily just missing mine!)

[Disco Dan]

Dont pee into the wind.

....or wear a skirt.... unless its your pillion... and you have big mirrors....

[limbimtimwim]

While you get used to it; avoid the raised section of the motorway and the rimutaka hill.

[Kinje]

+1 try and relax. Let your elbows drop so they can absorb any buffeting of your body. Concentrate on being smooth and commited to the manouver- throttle input, steering input, weight transfer, lean angle. Agreed to watch the takas, there can be some very strong gusts on certain corners- it helps to know which corners to expect this on- this is when anticipation and concentrating can really help.

[Winter]

Well I went for a big blat today (see http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...52#post1012795) but failed to see the severe wind warning issues for the upper northisland. So we were riding along ridgelines in fairly hefty winds.. for hours.

At the start i was screaming 'im going to dieeeeeeeaaargh' but after a while I got pretty comfy with it.
Keep ya throttle on and work with it, just watch it on the corners.

[Will]

Stick your knee out on the wind-side. I have found that works very well, sorta stabilizes you. This works best for the more continuous winds.

[gijoe1313]

Well I went for a big blat today (see http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...52#post1012795) but failed to see the severe wind warning issues for the upper northisland. So we were riding along ridgelines in fairly hefty winds.. for hours.

At the start i was screaming 'im going to dieeeeeeeaaargh' but after a while I got pretty comfy with it.
Keep ya throttle on and work with it, just watch it on the corners.

I wasn't going to mention the wind! By the end of that ride, you were happy as a pig in an apple barrel! The lighter gusts didn't even faze you (I guess compared to the other stuff we had, it was a walk in the breeze? )

[Pommie Boy]

Thanks for all the tips guys, esp yours BusaJim - that was really helpful, and I'll take it all on board next time the wind is up.
Funny how most of the comments about wind come form people in Wellington - anyone would think it was windier here than other parts of the country who woulda thought eh

[James Deuce]

I made a serious point Pommie. Thursday and Friday were not especially windy.

[Str8 Jacket]

I made a serious point Pommie. Thursday and Friday were not especially windy.

Jim is right. We havent had anywhere near the gusts that we are gonna get. When we do you'll find it extra exciting. Believe me, I know!

[James Deuce]

Believe me, I know!

She spends so much time flying, she should wear a cape and her undies on the outside.

[Str8 Jacket]

You make it sound fun!!

[Pommie Boy]

Not especially windy? Oh crap. Well, at least I have something to look forward to over winter - getting used to riding in this beautiful city of ours

[Hawkeye]

She spends so much time flying, she should wear a cape and her undies on the outside.

I thought she already did (ok Str8, I know! )

[purplearchitect]

Thanks for all the tips guys, esp yours BusaJim - that was really helpful, and I'll take it all on board next time the wind is up.
Funny how most of the comments about wind come form people in Wellington - anyone would think it was windier here than other parts of the country who woulda thought eh

Ha! They've never experienced the 'jy' of riding along the Takapau Plains in a howling nor-easterly....nor for that matter tried going over the Napier Taupo road when the wind's trying to blow you over the edge of the summit...

But seriously, the advice of sticking your knee out intot he wind is a good one. My partner (Buell Lighting) swears by this. Personally I just lean my bike into the wind. But do look ahead and be mindful of gaps in buildings, hedge-rows, etc, etc, and if you in Wgtn city - watch out at the intersections! The wind gets channelled down between them increasing the gusts.

When it comes to trucks passing you, hunker down over your handle-bars (keeping your head up of course!) that way bufferting from the wind gusts go over the top of you instead of blasting straight into you.