just...too...windy

[Iahawk]

dang it, had the perfect ride planned today...50 miles up through beautiful, smooth twisty 2 lanes to a great little restaurant in a very small town...then a 40 mile ride back through different twisties. Temp is upper 70's f (25-26 c), clear blue skies and a hint of Fall dryness in the air.

I knew it was a little windy but this was just too much to be comfortable on a naked bike on the highway. A little wind is fine, a little more is OK but when you hit that really gusty, blasting wind....that's a no go.

So once on the highway I detoured to a nearby State park...still got in a 31 mile ride but not the one I was hoping for.

Anyone else dislike longer rides in strong wind?

[mrmike]

   I agree! I cut the windscreen on my People S 150 down 5 inches. Normal riding it's great. If you get crosswinds though it gets a little hairy on the little 150. I avoid riding in windy or inclement weather if I can.h

[Neil955i]

Bad winds I’d agree Hawk, but I’ll live with anything much under 70mph wind speed. Well remember a motorway ride in 70-80mph gusts which felt very scary when passing juggernauts! Upright alongside in the lee of the lorry then at 45 degrees coming out past it! 

Not a ride I’d care to repeat, but my Triumph Sprint took it all in its stride.

[Iahawk]

Upright alongside in the lee of the lorry then at 45 degrees coming out past it! 

ugh, does not sound like a fun time!!

[randyo]

I've been known to go out in freezing rain, sleet, snow, but I don't do wind, especially when it's gusty

[Stig / Major Tom]

My first, and biggest, experience with riding in winds occurred in the late 60's.
I'd received my orders for Vietnam after completing my medic training in San Antonio - I put my wife on a train with our 2 carboard suitcases and had to move my new CB350 Honda to an AFB in Topeka, where my dad was stationed.
It was @750 miles.
I'm riding pretty much straight north. Those all-day crosswinds in Oklahoma and Kansas were astounding!
Maybe I don't remember it correctly - but those strong crosswinds made my Honda tilt into the wind.
Is that correct?
Disconcerting the first time it happened - and I never really got comfortable - but you do what you have to. I was 19, no sweat!
I had to catch a plane out of Kansas City for SeaTac in just over 48 hours.

The trip was otherwise uneventful. I had my map on a tank bag with a clear window. The chainguard vibrated off in Texas Oklahoma.*



Stig

* sure, it would be replaced under warranty - if I came home

[Iahawk]

I have family in Dallas and have made that similar drive from Iowa to TX many times over the years. I am always amazed at the winds that howl across Kansas and OK. Can't imagine riding a bike across thre!

[Neil955i]

Yes, you do remember it right Stig!  If the wind was coming from the West (left), then you'd be leaning to the left to prevent being blown to the right & off the tarmac!

Whatever doesn't kill you eh?...