Wind
The Ride: The Rectangle
Miles: 26.0
Time: 1:56
Ave. Speed: 13.3 mph
Weather: Sunny, 86, windy at 12-15 mph
2018 Season Outdoor Miles: 732.0
The Story
Wind can make all the difference in the world on a bike.
Case in point, today's effort.
With a steady 10-15 mph wind blowing at my back on the way out, life was easy. I was peddling fast and going fast (for me anyway) averaging 18-19 mph with little effort at all.
About the only thing that was bothersome on the front half of the ride was worrying about how bad it was going to be on the second half once I turned around on the rectangle course.
It was with good reason I was worried. Now I was going 11-12 and it was a chore all the way home.
Man, nothing kills you like wind.
It sucks the life right out of not only your legs, but also your head. I quickly tire of the howling wind sound in my ears. It just wears you down.
To compare it to the Tour de France, on the way out it was like I was out front in the breakaway by myself, with great legs propelling me to a stage win.
On the way back (now INTO the wind) it felt as if I had been spit out of the back of the peleton and was struggling to make it to the finish under the time limit for the day.
What a struggle it was to get home. Still, I did it. There is something to be said for that.