[Arlingtonrider]

I just did a google search on riding in wind and an article in Bicycling backs you up, Will, suggesting one riding alone in a crosswind use a slightly easier gear/higher cadence. Interesting.

My tip was based just on my own experience. I’ve found it easier to hold my line with the opposite approach. I’ll have to experiment some more with that. Looks like we’ll have lots of chances to try out different approaches soon.

Thinking this through a little more, I think the gearing needed to maintain good control of the bike will depend on the amount of sail. In other words, maybe someone riding a fairly upright hybrid with non-aero wheels, fenders and a pannier might need to ride in a slightly harder/lower cadence gear to keep good steering control than someone on a clean road bike with aero wheels. Also, crosswinds rarely come at an exact 90 degree angle for very long, so the amount of head/tail might also factor in. I think the bottom line is just to see what works.

[Arlingtonrider]

Bridges can be really tough sometimes. My tips would be to choose a better bridge to cross on (e.g., 14th Street Bridge has nice high railings on both sides), and to ride in a slightly higher (harder) gear to have more control over the bike. In crosswinds on the 14th, know that about one third of the bridge will catch the winds and gusts more than the rest. Lean into it a little. Listen for gusts. Reef the main. .

[Arlingtonrider]

That’s REALLY funny, lol. I’m the biggest scaredy cat of all of us!

[Arlingtonrider]

@Raymo853 106656 wrote:

. I spend way too much time looking at Strava and http://freezingsaddles.com/

Your competitors appreciate that you use up all this time.

[Arlingtonrider]

Declared by acclamation – there will be a forum happy hour at the Washington Wine Academy wine and beer garten to watch the first Wednesday night race in March.

[Arlingtonrider]

That sounds good to me – 9 am it is!

[Arlingtonrider]

@sjclaeys 105920 wrote:

Team V well represented at the Port City Pedals & Pints!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7534[/ATTACH]

. I find it hysterical that you couldn’t agree on a team name, yet you all managed to show up in the same color jackets and jerseys. Solidarity achieved at long last!

Way to go, Team That Must Not Be Named!

[Arlingtonrider]

The Pedals and Pints event was great fun and there was a large contingent of Freezing Saddles folks.

Many thanks to KWL and his son for leading a couple of us to Port City and then to Rocklands, and to his lovely wife for saving a table for us so we all could get together for a very enjoyable lunch on the way back!

[Arlingtonrider]

Thanks Karen! Where are you all meeting and what time?

[Arlingtonrider]

@dkel 105546 wrote:

So, for Pedals and Pints we appear to be doing a combined ride with our arch-nemeses on Team 4. You can ride to the event with a caravan from the Bluemont Caboose on the W&OD (wheels rolling at 10:00), or meet at the event.

Lol – #BAFS en masse! See ya’ll there!

[Arlingtonrider]

I’m planning to go on the Jan 17 Pedals & Pints ride (details are under “events” on forum). Would love to have some teammates join me!

[Arlingtonrider]

Never mind. Just got word that FMR trail near the water main break is open, despite the road closure.

[Arlingtonrider]

Thx for the heads up. Good to know. Hopefully won’t affect trail.

[Arlingtonrider]

I think Team 13 is still missing a member too. Eminva is our captain.

[Arlingtonrider]

Could the first people in tomorrow morning please post early reports? It sounds like it could be either very bad or just fine.

[Author]

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