Riding in the wind.

Yesterday I was making my way home along a dual carraigeway and the wind was blowing me around like a crisp packet, at some points I felt like I was riding at a 45 degree angle just to go straight. Not being very experienced, is this normal or was I doing summat wrong? Bigger screen or summat? Not a pleasent experience.

sookie.

[the_lone_wolf]

welcome to being light with a relatively large side profile

it happens, not much you can do about it other than hold on

[Sid Squid]

Don't hold on too tight, if you do your rigid arms will make unconscious steering inputs and it'll feel even worse.

Relax, everything will feel a thousand times easier.

(I've popped it over here as it are srs bike question )

I've ridden through various grades of gust and on occasion get blasted around more than I'd generally like. Some rainy days when wearing my waterproof oversuit it would act as a sail and make things extra fun.

Best advice I can give is try and keep your upper body moderately relaxed and it might reduce the amount of push you get. With a bit of experience you learn to take it in your stride.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by sookie

at some points I felt like I was riding at a 45 degree angle just to go straight.

If it was really windy, then no nothing wrong with what you were doing. It can be quite disconcerting but you get used to ridnig like that in adverse weather conditions the more experienced you get.

I had quick a rough ride back from Poole Quay last night. It was chuffin windy.

[johnnyrod]

Stick a big tank bag on. Filling the gap between you and the fairing smooths out the air flow and reduces the effects of athe crosswinds a bit.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Relax, everything will feel a thousand times easier.

someone wrote a song about that didn't they?

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I had quick rough ride round the back of Poole Quay last night.

Does Liz know?

Originally Posted by johnnyrod

Stick a big tank bag on. Filling the gap between you and the fairing smooths out the air flow and reduces the effects of athe crosswinds a bit.

I've found the opposite to be true in crosswinds, although perhaps it was because the tank bag prevented me from crouching in behind the screen to the same extent. I think the general rule is less windage=less of a problem.

As said up there though, you get used to it, and it's only when it gets really gusty or if you're going from a section where you were sheltered to one where you're exposed to a high wind that it requires consideration.

Originally Posted by sinbad

As said up there though, you get used to it, and it's only when it gets really gusty or if you're going from a section where you were sheltered to one where you're exposed to a high wind that it requires consideration.

+1. Watch for cars in front suddenly getting blown about and see the point where the crosswind kicks in is.