Would Wind Ever Keep You From Riding?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Would Wind Ever Keep You From Riding?
Here's why I ask. A week or so ago a friend asked if I'd like to go up the coast to watch a rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB today. I said sure - let's ride. It's about a 200 mile round trip. So that was the plan.
I woke up this morning and it was beautiful out. A little windy but otherwise ideal. About 65-70 degrees with blue skies and not a cloud in the sky. A perfect January in California day and I'm looking forward to the ride.
Then shortly before the planned departure time my phone rings and my buddy says he's driving because it's too windy to ride. I think WTF? Too windy? Are you kidding me? This isn't a hurricane. The wind is blowing maybe 20-25mph with a few stronger gusts.
I tell him f*&% it. I'll just watch it from my driveway unless we're riding. But then I got to thinking... I was looking forward to this day-trip and it's such a nice day I'll just ride up myself. So that's exactly what I did.
We met up at the viewing site and watched the launch with a couple hundred other people scattered in the hills along the California coast. The launch was a little anti-climatic (we were too far away) but the rest of the day was perfect!
So the question is... Would 20-25 mph winds on an otherwise beautiful day keep you from a 200 mile ride that you've had planned for a week?
I woke up this morning and it was beautiful out. A little windy but otherwise ideal. About 65-70 degrees with blue skies and not a cloud in the sky. A perfect January in California day and I'm looking forward to the ride.
Then shortly before the planned departure time my phone rings and my buddy says he's driving because it's too windy to ride. I think WTF? Too windy? Are you kidding me? This isn't a hurricane. The wind is blowing maybe 20-25mph with a few stronger gusts.
I tell him f*&% it. I'll just watch it from my driveway unless we're riding. But then I got to thinking... I was looking forward to this day-trip and it's such a nice day I'll just ride up myself. So that's exactly what I did.
We met up at the viewing site and watched the launch with a couple hundred other people scattered in the hills along the California coast. The launch was a little anti-climatic (we were too far away) but the rest of the day was perfect!
So the question is... Would 20-25 mph winds on an otherwise beautiful day keep you from a 200 mile ride that you've had planned for a week?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 146
From: texas
im sure people will call me a wuss but theres times i wont ride when its too windy.dont know the wind speed i just know it when i know it.----also what does your friend ride?a crotch rocket is harder to keep control of in the wind.at least for me.ive been caught in the wind on a ninja a few times that made me take side roads and just slowly walk it home.people gotta know there limits and i dont make fun of anyone who chooses to be safe....now if they say its too hot or some girly stuff then thats another story.everybody has there limits and maybe that is your friends limit.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
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From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Would Wind Ever Keep You From Riding?
Hasn't yet.
2 years ago the Wife and I headed up to Mackinaw City by way of ******* to Traverse City, to the straits and down to Cheboygan. Hit a gusty Northwest wind off the lake all day and was glad to be bundled up. As we rounded the straits the wind shifted to the Northeast and again came off the lake about 20 degree colder and gusting. Made the trip that much more Fun.
Last summer twice caught gusty weather on trips, and other than the dust kicking up and getting in your eyes it didn't matter because I was riding.
2 years ago the Wife and I headed up to Mackinaw City by way of ******* to Traverse City, to the straits and down to Cheboygan. Hit a gusty Northwest wind off the lake all day and was glad to be bundled up. As we rounded the straits the wind shifted to the Northeast and again came off the lake about 20 degree colder and gusting. Made the trip that much more Fun.
Last summer twice caught gusty weather on trips, and other than the dust kicking up and getting in your eyes it didn't matter because I was riding.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
Yes. I'm out in the desert and strong enough winds will kick up sand and rocks enough to sandblast you and the bike.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Oregon
I think it all depends on what you're accustomed to - around here a 20-25mph wind is nothing out of the ordinary, so we don't think much of it. Actually we ride in 30-40-50 mph winds fairly often, not a real problem except when it's a crosswind, then it gets a little tiresome after awhile.
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Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Came out of Holland on the coast road going to Belgium with a North Sea gale blowing in steady winds were 55+ mph & gust's over 75 , we were riding at an angle the whole way . Pucker factor was up around 8+ on that ride .