any tips for riding in the wind?

AmyNTX · Post by **AmyNTX** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:37 pm

Ok, I have rode to work 2 days now..and both afternoons have been slightly windy...It wont blow me off the road will it? I have noticed it kinda pushes you back and forth a little..but it is manageable. any advice?

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:45 pm

Amy,
search for this as it hsa been discussed before. Lots of info.

The most important thing is not to fight it. The Gyroscopic effect of your wheels will keep the scoot going forward and righting up when you get pushed. Stay towards the center of the lane or towards the side the wind is coming from. Be gentle in your countersteering adjustments. Plan for the lull you get while the wind is blocked by a big truck, a house, lots of trees and plan for when you get out of that protection, be ready for the wind slamming, but don't panic.

It is kind of like a waltz. After a while you get used to it. It is just one more skill you develop with time, but, yes, when you start riding it feels a bit scary.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:53 pm

It's been nuts here, I actually got blown over standing still at a light by a gust I wasn't ready for.

Sometimes it maybe feels scarier than it is, but there's a point where you just need to make sure you have a LOT of space around you, or get off the road. A steady wind's doable, but gusts will kick your a** sometimes.

For me, (I'm not aerodynamic) 25mph steady winds are where I start to get a little nervous, but if the gusts are significantly higher, it gets scary. Keep your weight and your baggage low and if you start to blow off course, don't try to fight the bars, countersteer.

Bb.

MikieTaps · Post by **MikieTaps** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:46 pm

I totally agree with the being prepared for when it dies down. I almost crashed the other night when I was leaning in a turn and the wind all of a sudden stopped. I was leaning heavily into it the wind and when it died I cut from the far left of the lane, in a right hand turn, to the far right in no time, almost put her down…

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:09 pm

I just push against the wind. The wind likes to steer you left and right, so when the wind blows, lean against it lightly.

NathanielSalzman · Post by **NathanielSalzman** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:12 pm

What I've found very useful is simply relaxing your hands a bit - don't grip the handlebars super tight. Give the bike some leeway to correct itself. If you're all rigid and fighting the wind too hard, that's when you can get into a death wobble or over-correct a big gust and end up somewhere you don't want to be.

alienmeatsack · Post by **alienmeatsack** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:36 pm

I was told the trick is to ride lose and let the bike do it's thing.

To get to and from my town and work, I have to cross a bridge with no wind block, so the gusts can get pretty intense.

My first few times, I was scared to death. But when I let myself be lose, and not fight it, I do ok. But it's still scary stuff. Esp the 71st street bridge which is a 50MPH bridge.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:20 pm

I know exactly what you mean because I've been out riding in it these past few days too. it's very windy here.

My old scoot didn't have a windscreen and the new one does. Yeah they were different scoots, but I'll tell ya, it was a helluva lot harder to hold on and feel confident riding on the old scooter (pre-windscreen). When I got my pamplona I had John install the windscreen before it was even delivered to me. I love it. It's helps a ton!!! it directs the wind up over and around me so that I cannot be as much wind-resistance.

so when it's gusty and tries to blow you out of the lane, stay relaxed. You can kinda feel the wind and move within it. you'll move slightly inside the lane and that is OK! Think of it as helping you be seen by other drivers.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:26 am

I second Christy's comments. A windshield helps immensely IMHO.

We've had some really windy days here too. Yesterday, the wind woud blow HARD from one direction and then suddenly switch and a huge gust would hit me from the opposite direction!

Slow down, ride in the middle of the lane (or the side that the wind is blowing from) and be careful. Be mindful of your lane placement in relation to the traffic--you still need to stay in sight of the drivers around you!

AmyNTX · Post by **AmyNTX** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:39 pm

well, after my 4th day of riding to work..I am mor comfy with the wind. I DO have a windshield..it was added when I bought it..so I don't know what the difference is without..but I have noticed when I duck behind it a little over bridges..it really helps..that "wind " sound..sheeewwwwweeessshhh through my helmet freaks me out a little..but I guess I will get used to it

alienmeatsack · Post by **alienmeatsack** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:47 pm

I considered getting a windsheld but I don't really like the look of them. If there was a way to install one so I could remove it and put it on for long rides/windy days I might consider it.

Would a super low profile screen of some kind that helps run the wind up and over me help in wind?

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:00 pm

Some (ME) would argue that a windshield just gives the wind that much more surface area to whip around. I don't like 'em. They're good for aerodynamics when there's no wind, but they don't help at all with sidewinds and gusts.

Good advice on the "loosen up on the grips," Nathaniel, that's been working well for me. It's hard not to grip harder and fight it when a gust sideswipes you, but countersteering works much better than white-knuckling and braking.

alienmeatsack · Post by **alienmeatsack** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:22 pm

Was doing some searching and found lots of folks liked using a flyscreen. But wow, $150 is a lot of money for a little plastic piece and some mounting parts!