Street Savvy: Riding in Wind

Nobody likes being pushed around, least of all at 70 mph (113 kmj) on the freeway, or somewhere north of 100 mph (160 kmj) on the track. But that's exactly what a stiff wind will do unless you understand what you're up against. Quickly moving air, you see, behaves a lot like water.Navigating against a steady crosscurrent is relatively easy; steer into it just enough tostay on course. Plowing through a turbulent patch is more complicated. Steer or besteered. Constant corrective pressure on thebars and pegs is the only way to maintain the desired compass heading.

No matter how strong you are, the wind is stronger. So be smarter. Give yourself acushion of downwind real estate wherever possible so unexpected gusts doesn't shove youinto something solid, or off the road altogether. Plug in to your surroundings and you'll see most gusts aren't entirely random. Expect a blast of air to coincide with gaps intraffic or terrain--a line of large trucks or acanyon wall or emerging from behind some bigwind-blocking urban structure--and braceyourself. The same plan works at the track.

Figure out where the wind wants to stand youup or push you over and then compensate by pushing back--and easing off and pushing back--just enough to hold your line. Gale-forcewind at the apex of a corner, for example,means you need less throttle and more weighton the front wheel. Scooting up in the seatand moving your head and torso forward willhelp. Know thy enemy and you'll develop whatwily Willow Springs veteran and Dunlop tireguru Dennis Smith calls "wind guts."

"Being familiar with what the wind does and where gives you an advantage at any track,"Smith says, "because you're calm while theother guys are freaking out." How do you learnthat? The same way you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice.

Tucking in a bit makes it tougher for the windto get hold of you. So does snug-fitting gear,as opposed to the XXXL Army surplus rainsuitthat jerks you around like a racing spinnakerat speed. Big bikes with big fairings can beespecially unruly. If you ride such a beast, pay attention to how it acts in the wind andplan your reactions accordingly. Wrestlingwith any bike takes more effort in the wind.Dehydration and fatigue arrive earlier, sodialing down daily mileage is a good idea onlong treks. Above all? Know your limitations.When the Weather Channel is reporting 70-mph gusts, switch to a nice solid seat at Starbucks or McD until things calm down.

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