Re: windy everywhere this year?

jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org

[ This is a repost of the following article: ]
[ From: jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org ]
[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year? ]
[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides ]
[ Message-ID: <48489e02$0$17171$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net> ]

Pat who? wrote:

> Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
> Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
> have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
> Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
> today is ridiculous.....

For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.

http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn

Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.

http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)

These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.

Jobst Brandt


Jobst Brandt

dgk

On 06 Jun 2008 02:17:39 GMT, jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org wrote:

>[ This is a repost of the following article: ]
>[ From: jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org ]
>[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year? ]
>[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides ]
>[ Message-ID: <48489e02$0$17171$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net> ]
>
>Pat who? wrote:
>
>> Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
>> Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
>> have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
>> Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
>> today is ridiculous.....
>
>For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
>directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
>followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.
>
>http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn
>
>Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
>average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
>twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
>where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
>ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.
>
>http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
>http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)
>
>These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.
>
>Jobst Brandt
>
>
>Jobst Brandt



I've been complaining about the wind for months. I've been commuting
by bike for around 7 years and I don't remember it being as much of a
factor as it has for the last two. It just seems like it's stronger
each spring. Maybe I'm just getting weaker.

D'ohBoy

On Jun 6, 7:11 am, dgk <d...@somewhere.com> wrote:
> On 06 Jun 2008 02:17:39 GMT, jobst.bra...@stanfordalumni.org wrote:
>
>
>
> >[ This is a repost of the following article: ]
> >[ From: jobst.bra...@stanfordalumni.org ]
> >[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year? ]
> >[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides ]
> >[ Message-ID: <48489e02$0$17171$742ec...@news.sonic.net> ]
>
> >Pat who? wrote:
>
> >> Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
> >> Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
> >> have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
> >> Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
> >> today is ridiculous.....
>
> >For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
> >directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
> >followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.
>
> >http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn
>
> >Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
> >average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
> >twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
> >where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
> >ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.
>
> >http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
> >http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)
>
> >These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.
>
> >Jobst Brandt
>
> >Jobst Brandt
>
> I've been complaining about the wind for months. I've been commuting
> by bike for around 7 years and I don't remember it being as much of a
> factor as it has for the last two. It just seems like it's stronger
> each spring. Maybe I'm just getting weaker.

Yup. Here too (WI). Cold as well. 'Til now. Now it's in the mid to
upper 80's (hot for this time of year) and threatening thunderstorms
for the next ten days (currently 60% chance). Nights aren't dipping
much below 70.

Been a less than perfect year for training for a fair weather cyclist
like myself. Now I get ta go grind out 200k in the hills west of
Madison (www.horriblyhilly.com).

Gah. Ugh.

D'ohBoy

alanstew@sbcglobal.net

I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. So when the
wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
ABS

max

In article
<8829f34a-91dc-4b61-bd52-22c3ed2d970f@y38g2000hsy.googlegroups.com>,
"D'ohBoy" <petengail@yahoo.com> wrote:

> On Jun 6, 7:11 am, dgk <d...@somewhere.com> wrote:
> > On 06 Jun 2008 02:17:39 GMT, jobst.bra...@stanfordalumni.org wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > >[ This is a repost of the following article:
> > >]
> > >[ From: jobst.bra...@stanfordalumni.org
> > >]
> > >[ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this year?
> > >]
> > >[ Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.rides
> > >]
> > >[ Message-ID: <48489e02$0$17171$742ec...@news.sonic.net>
> > >]
> >
> > >Pat who? wrote:
> >
> > >> Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
> > >> Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
> > >> have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
> > >> Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
> > >> today is ridiculous.....
> >
> > >For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
> > >directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
> > >followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.
> >
> > >http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn
> >
> > >Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
> > >average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
> > >twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
> > >where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
> > >ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.
> >
> > >http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
> > >http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)
> >
> > >These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.
> >
> > >Jobst Brandt
> >
> > >Jobst Brandt
> >
> > I've been complaining about the wind for months. I've been commuting
> > by bike for around 7 years and I don't remember it being as much of a
> > factor as it has for the last two. It just seems like it's stronger
> > each spring. Maybe I'm just getting weaker.
>
> Yup. Here too (WI). Cold as well. 'Til now. Now it's in the mid to
> upper 80's (hot for this time of year) and threatening thunderstorms
> for the next ten days (currently 60% chance). Nights aren't dipping
> much below 70.
>
> Been a less than perfect year for training for a fair weather cyclist
> like myself. Now I get ta go grind out 200k in the hills west of
> Madison (www.horriblyhilly.com).
>
> Gah. Ugh.
>
> D'ohBoy

Today, in beautiful Fox Valley Illinois, the weather has been very
cloudy, moderately humid, 81F and winds from the south at 25~30 mph.
So, I didn't ride my bike today.

I rode the unicycle instead. :-)

--
This signature can be appended to your outgoing mesages. Many people include in
their signatures contact information, and perhaps a joke or quotation.

Pat

>I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
> gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. So when the
> wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
> providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
> ABS

I agree--with limits. Crosswinds are dangerous when they're gusting.

Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't consider
it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....

And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".

I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

Pat in TX

catzz66

alanstew@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
> gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. So when the
> wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
> providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
> ABS

I try to ride out into the wind and ride back with it. I am not always
able to pull this off, but it is a sweet ride when I can do it. Living
in Texas, I get a lot of practice riding in the wind.

Mark

I call the wind my secondary training partner. My new motto: What doesn't
kill you only makes you stronge.r
<jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org> wrote in message
news:48489e43$0$17171$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>[ This is a repost of the following
> ]
> [ From:
> ]
> [ Subject: Re: windy everywhere this
> ]
> [ Newsgroups:
> ]
> [ Message-ID:
> 742ec2ed@news.sonic.net> ]
>
> Pat who? wrote:
>
>> Is it just here in north Texas, or is it windy all across the U.S.?
>> Today, we had wind gusts to 51 mph. Just to get out of a car you
>> have to fight to get the door open. Ride a bicycle? Hah! I did on
>> Tuesday, when the wind gusts were "just" up to 35 mph, but this
>> today is ridiculous.....
>
> For more than a month we have had unusually high winds from unusual
> directions. That along with stinking hot weather for a day or two
> followed by cold weather requiring long sleeves and pants.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/5egnjn
>
> Europe has been suffering from similar conditions with more than
> average rain and snow, while snowing only at high elevation such as
> twelve feet deep at the top of the Stelvio and Matterhorn-Gornergrat
> where skiing has been a flop because there is only gravel below on the
> ski run that looks so great above. It's snowing like mad now.
>
> http://www.topin.ch/scripts/big_img.php?bild=zer.jpg (Gornergrat)
> http://webcam.popso.it/stelvio.php?PASSOALTO2 (Stelvio)
>
> These must be viewed at daylight hours in Central European Time.
>
> Jobst Brandt
>
>
> Jobst Brandt

jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org

Mark Pirus wrote:

> I call the wind my secondary training partner. My new motto: What
> doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

I see you don't ride bicycle for the fun and adventure of going places
others don't. Riding in the flats against the wind is masochism. If
your bicycling isn't purely for exercise, you could pick a mountainous
course that goes to interesting places.

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/6.1.html

Jobst Brandt

jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org

someone wrote:

>> I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some
>> fancy-schmantzy gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more
>> fit. So when the wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided
>> that it is my friend, providing a more rigorous workout for me at
>> no extra cost.

> I try to ride out into the wind and ride back with it. I am not
> always able to pull this off, but it is a sweet ride when I can do
> it. Living in Texas, I get a lot of practice riding in the wind.

In that respect, what effect winds have on riding is not obvious:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/wind.html

Jobst Brandt

Frank Krygowski

On Jun 6, 6:17 pm, "Pat" <ex...@tmail.com> wrote:
>
> And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".
>
> I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.

I think I see a commercial possibility.

IIRC, one can buy cyclometers that measure the total amount of
climbing one has done during a ride. But since the wind is the main
resistance to most people's cycling, we need a cyclometer that
measures the total distance we ride through the air, in addition to
the total distance we cover on the ground. IOW, we need to measure
the length of the airstream passing the cyclometer.

Sounds like a job for Avocet! (Are they still in business?)

- Frank Krygowski

alanstew@sbcglobal.net

On Jun 6, 3:17*pm, "Pat" <ex...@tmail.com> wrote:
> >I can't afford a better bike nor a membership at some fancy-schmantzy
> > gym, but I'm trying as hard as I can to get more fit. *So when the
> > wind blows, instead of cursing it, I've decided that it is my friend,
> > providing a more rigorous workout for me at no extra cost.
> > ABS
>
> I agree--with limits. Crosswinds are dangerous when they're gusting.
>
> Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
> including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't consider
> it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
> and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....
>
> And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".
>
> I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.
>
> Pat in TX

45 * 12 = $540 or more than I paid for my bike.
Nope, I'll stick with the bike and the wind.
ABS

Pat

>> And, I demand! Yes, Demand! "wind credit".
>>
>> I just haven't figured out how to tabulate it, yet.
>
> I think I see a commercial possibility.
>
> IIRC, one can buy cyclometers that measure the total amount of
> climbing one has done during a ride. But since the wind is the main
> resistance to most people's cycling, we need a cyclometer that
> measures the total distance we ride through the air, in addition to
> the total distance we cover on the ground. IOW, we need to measure
> the length of the airstream passing the cyclometer.
>
> Sounds like a job for Avocet! (Are they still in business?)
>
> - Frank Krygowski

You left out the time factor. Time seems to slow down when one rides in a
headwind.

Pat in TX

Pat

>
> Also, the YMCA and "my" gym, 24 Hour Fitness, only cost $45 a month
> including taxes. If a gym doesn't cost more than the YMCA, I don't
> consider
> it "fancy-schmantzy" (is that a word?)....but, yeah, I try to hike, bike,
> and swim. Since I don't have a pool, I have to "borrow" one....
>
> Pat in TX

45 * 12 = $540 or more than I paid for my bike.
Nope, I'll stick with the bike and the wind.
ABS

You sir, are not a swimmer.

Pat in TX