Where do you draw the line??

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2008-04-01 8:08 AM

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Subject: Where do you draw the line??

Heres a dilema my wife and I just discussed. We have our first tri (sprint) coming up April 20th. We have just purchased new bikes and have ridden only once. Todays temperature in Indiana (Lafayette) is a high of 46 degrees which is fine to go run in and ride in. I would love to go on a ride this evening but the winds are ferocious. Do we fight high winds to get bike time in and deal with the god given elements or go to a spin class? I have no idea what the weather is going to be on the day of the race (cold, hot, rainy, windy etc...) so part of me says to buck up and deal with it but the other part says maybe not. 

Your opinions please.....

 

2008-04-01 8:13 AM
in reply to: #1307302

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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??

46 degrees is nice but winds are my enemy.  I tend to be a baby, though, but if I had a tri coming up soon I'd would want to get the time in outside, as long as the winds aren't too too bad.

Today in Phila it's suppose to be about 60 and gusts of winds up to 30mph.  As much as I want to ride outside I may be a punk and stay indoors.  I get scared of cross winds.  I think it's easier when someone you're riding with says "hey let's suck it up," which my riding partners do.

2008-04-01 8:17 AM
in reply to: #1307302

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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
Personally, I stay indoors with any sustained winds over 20 mph. The roads I ride on are pretty busy in the afternoons, and I do not want to get blown into a car by a strong gust.
2008-04-01 8:20 AM
in reply to: #1307302

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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
How windy are you talking?  I will ride in wind but try to find a MUT or very, very low traffic.  Your other option is to go find a cheap trainer to ride. You can get a magnetic one for probably less than $100.
2008-04-01 8:31 AM
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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
Do you know the weather forcast for April 20th? Probably not. You can't pick your weather on race day. Train in everything so you're prepared for anything.

Get out and ride; it will make you tougher than everyone who didn't.
2008-04-01 10:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
Interesting question; I live in a high winds area too.

There's something to be said for "toughening up" and getting out there in the wind. But, there's also safety issues involved. Assuming its still safe to ride, I find that the mental aggravation is not always worth it. I become _incredibly_ frustrated when I'm pumping away just to keep 12MPH in a strong wind and it usually affects my training outlook. So, I'd rather do the indoor cycling class to get in a good workout without being frustrated as hell!


2008-04-01 10:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
I would probably stay in for 30 mph winds, but it would be good training. However, I think of safety and would only do it if it was in a low traffic area. The race could have conditions that bad, but it will be on a closed road.
2008-04-01 11:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
TryinMike - 2008-04-01 8:08 AM

Todays temperature in Indiana (Lafayette) is a high of 46 degrees p>

 



46 in April.....THAT is why I left Lafayette almost 20 years ago....23 years of Winters and possible snow in April, drove me south.......Glad to hear from a fellow (Lafayette) Hoosier....

  • ..as for the OP....agree with whats posted regarding safety. If you can hit roads with little traffic, go for it....just be careful....I rode in winds Sunday 20-30mph but it was on Hunter Army base...ie essentially no traffic...Heck of a workout....15mph/HR 163.....frustrating, but no doubt it helped my conditioning....


    • 2008-04-01 11:59 AM
    in reply to: #1307302

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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
    TryinMike - 2008-04-01 8:08 AM

    Todays temperature in Indiana (Lafayette) is a high of 46 degrees which is fine to go run in and ride in.


    Here in Texas, a high of 46 degrees means heated blankets, hot chocolate, warm fireplaces and school closings. Go to spin class!!! I'm shivering just thinking of a high of 46...
    2008-04-01 12:06 PM
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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??

    Unless it is risking injury or death I train in the elements. Makes no sense to pick your weather. As someone else said you cant pick race day weather. The more you have trained in the better prepared you are race day.

    40 degrees and a 10 MPH wind here. I am riding 90 minutes in it. (so long as my wheel is fixed at the shop)



    Edited by idahodan 2008-04-01 12:07 PM
    2008-04-01 12:22 PM
    in reply to: #1307302

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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??

    Last spring we had crazy strong winds here. I had some really good interval workouts as a result. I did out and backs on a flat highway against the headwind and with the tailwind. Kind of like hill repeats but using the wind. Check this out...

    Anyway, be careful turning in gusts because a crosswind can easily topple you over.

     

    2008-04-01 1:11 PM
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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??

    I agree with the philosophy of training in all kinds of weather -- ESPECIALLY if your race is only 2 1/2 weeks away.

    Just choose the place you ride carefully.  If I'm going out in bad weather, I head for the state park that has a 2 lane highway but great big shoulders.  I rode there in the pouring rain and thunder on my birthday last July.  It was my bikes birthday too; so we HAD to do it!  ;-)  But I won't ride in the pouring rain on the roads around my house.  Too many "oops they didn't see you" opportunities.

    If you don't have a place you think is reasonably safe to ride in your weather conditions; then hit it hard in spin class -- go early and leave last.  Best of luck to you!  Let us know how the race goes.

    2008-04-01 1:40 PM
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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
    As others have said you don't know what the wind conditions will be like on your race day so its best to prepare yourself for all conditions. Also, you stated you and your wife just bought new bikes and have only ridden once. I'm fairly new to the sport but it took me a few weeks just to get comfortable finding the right gears and different shifting positions so that should be a determing factor as well. I'd say ride outdoors as much as possible as long as its safe and tolerable.
    2008-04-01 1:43 PM
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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??

    Just got done with my first race of the season and was worried about winds before hand so I got out and plugged away every chance I got.  Race day was a piece of cake because I was prepared. 

    If you can keep it safe...get out and ride and keep your sense of humor.

    2008-04-01 2:27 PM
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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
    TryinMike - 2008-04-01 6:08 AM

    Heres a dilema my wife and I just discussed. We have our first tri (sprint) coming up April 20th. We have just purchased new bikes and have ridden only once. Todays temperature in Indiana (Lafayette) is a high of 46 degrees which is fine to go run in and ride in. I would love to go on a ride this evening but the winds are ferocious. Do we fight high winds to get bike time in and deal with the god given elements or go to a spin class? I have no idea what the weather is going to be on the day of the race (cold, hot, rainy, windy etc...) so part of me says to buck up and deal with it but the other part says maybe not. 

    Your opinions please.....

     


    Having done a century and a couple of biathlons in Champaign Illlinois, wind just seems to be a fact of life in the midwest. I would get as much training in winds as you can. It will only make you faster when (if) the winds die down.
    2008-04-01 2:28 PM
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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
    if you have a multi-use trail or a bike specific path I would try to get out on it even with the wind, as it should be safer than riding in traffic with a cross-wind.

    Otherwise do what you have to do inside - use a trainer if you have one or go to a spin class. Of course the more time you spend on your bike is better, but just getting the legs moving will help.

    If it makes you feel any better, it was in the mid to upper 60's with sunshine last year for the Sprint you are doing on the 20th.



    Edited by G-Moose 2008-04-01 2:29 PM

    2008-04-01 2:30 PM
    in reply to: #1307302

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    Subject: RE: Where do you draw the line??
    If you can find a safe place to train, ride outside.  In very windy situations, I like to ride on low-traffic roads.  That way you reduce your risk of drifting into traffic.  If that's not an option, ride inside.
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