When the wind speed reaches 30-35 mph, cycling can start to become dangerous. A strong gust of wind could blow you into traffic. It could also blow debris into the road or into your eyes. At wind speeds below 25 mph, it’s really just an annoyance. If you experience 40-50+ mph wind, it’s best to get off the road.
Exactly how much wind is too much depends on a few factors including the terrain you’re riding, the route you choose, the type of bike you’re riding, the type of wind (sustained or gusts), the wind direction (headwind, crosswind, or tailwind), and your skill level.
In this guide, I’ll answer the question, how much wind is too much for cycling? I’ll also share a few helpful tips for cycling on windy days. You can cycle in windy weather, but you have to take some precautions to stay safe.
How Much Wind is Too Much for Cycling?
If the weather forecast calls for strong winds with gusts exceeding 30 mph, you should reconsider your ride. Wind speeds of 30-35 mph start to become dangerous for cycling. At these wind speeds, the weather service may issue a high-wind advisory. This means there is moderate risk. You can still ride in these wind speeds if you have to but it won’t be much fun and it can be a bit risky.
With sustained wind speeds of 40-50 mph, it’s best to stay off the road. This is considered gale-force wind. The national weather service may issue a high-wind warning when winds reach these speeds. There is a high risk of injury. It may be possible to ride but it’s not really safe.
Wind speeds below 20mph are considered safe to ride in. At wind speeds of 20-30 mph, the wind will be very noticeable on a bike but not really hazardous. It’s not pleasant to ride in the wind you can if you have to.
It also comes down to personal preference. Fair-weather cyclists might not go out if the wind is blowing at more than 10-15 mph. Even riding in light winds can make cycling more difficult.
Riding Into a Headwind
A headwind is wind that is blowing directly toward you from the front. It opposes your forward motion. This is the cyclist’s worst enemy.
Cycling into a headwind is hard. You won’t be able to maintain your normal speed because it takes so much more energy to overcome the extra wind resistance. The wind is the main force acting against you.
For example, if you are riding 20mph on a flat section of road and then you encounter a 5 mph headwind, you would need to increase your power output by 70% to maintain the same speed of 20 mph. If were cruising along at 20mph, a strong headwind will bring your speed down to 6mph, at the same power output. Riding into a strong headwind is comparable to riding uphill. In a strong headwind, you may creep along at 3 mph.
It always feels like headwinds are more common than tailwinds. This is because you spend more time riding into a headwind because you’re moving so much slower.
There are a few ways to make cycling into a headwind a little easier. Most importantly, you can improve your aerodynamics. Crouch down into the drops if you have drop bars. Tuck in your elbows. This will reduce drag. You shouldn’t stand while riding into a headwind. Standing allows you to ride in a higher gear. The problem is that it creates more drag. Your body acts like a sail. You want to be as aerodynamic as possible.
Aero bars are also helpful for riding into a headwind but it’s best not to use them on extremely windy days. This is because they make the bike harder to control. You can’t steer as precisely because they don’t give you as much leverage. You also have to move your hands to brake.
It’s also possible to downshift and increase your cadence. This helps to keep your legs fresh. Another great way to make cycling into a headwind easier is to ride an e-bike. The pedal assist can help you overcome the extra drag. This allows you to ride into a headwind without even feeling it. For more info, check out my guide to the pros and cons of e-bikes.
For more info on the effects of cycling into a headwind, check out this guide.
Cycling With a Crosswind
A crosswind is the most dangerous type of wind to cycle in. Particularly if it’s gusty. A strong gust can cause you to veer off your path into the road or off the road entirely. As you can imagine, this could be extremely dangerous.
You need to be extra cautious while riding in a crosswind. Pay attention to your surroundings. For example, when you cycle past a gap between buildings or hedges, anticipate the wind. Try to brace for it. If a large vehicle is going to pass you, be prepared for the turbulence.
For riding in a crosswind, flat handlebars are best. Flat bars give you more leverage. This makes it easier to steer. You can more easily correct your steering if a gust of wind blows you off course.
If you’re using drop bars, ride with your hand on the brake hoods. This gives you the most leverage and easy access to the brakes if you need to stop quickly.
Avoid riding a bike with deep aero rims in a crosswind. The rims can catch the wind and act like a sail. This is particularly dangerous with a front aero rim. You have to fight against the wind to prevent yourself from being pushed sideways.
Traction is also important while cycling in a crosswind. You need to be cautious while riding over wet road grates, road paint, and loose gravel. The wind won’t really make you lose grip. It just makes the bike harder to control. Use wider tires with good grip. Air down your tires for a bit of extra traction.
A strong enough crosswind can push any cyclist off their course. You’ll need to use some muscle to fight the wind. Of course, mass can also help. A heavier cyclist won’t have to fight the wind quite as much.
Cycling With a Tailwind
A Tailwind is a wind that is blowing in the same direction that you’re traveling. When this happens, the wind assists you. It pushes you along faster than you could normally ride. Enjoy this while you can. Having a nice tailwind is kind of rare but it’s nice when it happens.
If you’re planning a ride on a windy day, try to plan your route so you have a tailwind on the ride home. This will prevent you from riding too far and biting off more than you can chew. If you start your ride with a tailwind, you can ride further and faster than you realize. Riding back in a headwind may be more difficult than you expect.
Tips for Cycling in the Wind
1. Choose Your Route Carefully When It’s Windy
On windy days, try to choose a route that is somewhat sheltered. Cycle through a valley instead of over a hilltop. Cycle through a forested area instead of an exposed area. Ride down a road with tall buildings instead of a wide open road.
Anything that can block the wind will make cycling easier. The wind may be blowing at 25mph but if you’re riding through a forest, the trees will block most of it. It won’t feel that windy.
2. Choose Your Road Position Carefully
When it’s windy, you need to give yourself a little bit of wobble room. If a strong gust comes out of nowhere, it could force you to verge into the lane, into the curb, or off the road. You need some extra space to correct yourself.
If you need extra room, you can take the lane in some situations. This may not be an option if there is a strong headwind because you won’t be able to keep pace with traffic. Also, it’s harder to hear cars approaching when it’s windy. In most cases, taking the secondary position is safer when it’s windy.
3. Keep an eye out for debris in the road and flying objects
Strong winds can blow debris onto the road. For example, it can knock over trash cans and blow trash around. A tumbleweed could blow across your path. Branches could fall from trees and create obstacles. You have to keep an eye out for anything on the road that could cause you to crash.
Wind can also kick up dust and other objects that could get in your eyes. The wind can also dry out your eyes. On windy days, it’s a good idea to wear some type of eye protection, like cycling glasses or goggles. These can protect your eyes. Look for a pair with shatterproof lenses and a wraparound design for maximum protection.
4. Consider the Type of Wind: Gusty Vs Sustained Winds
Gusty winds are more dangerous for cycling than sustained winds. The reason is that gusts are unpredictable. A gust could hit you at a critical moment when you’re maneuvering and blow you off the road or into traffic. It could blow debris into your path and cause you to crash.
Sustained winds are a bit safer to cycle in. You still have to keep an eye out for debris, but you don’t have to worry as much about being blown off the road.
5. Use the right equipment
The bike you ride can also play a role in the wind speeds you can safely ride in. If you live in a windy area, avoid deep aero wheels or time-trial wheels. These have deep rims that act as sails in the wind. These can catch the wind and cause you to be blown around. Particularly if you use an aero front wheel. You have to fight the wind to steer.
Modern aero wheels perform better in the wind than older models but they can still cause you to be blown off course. A front aero wheel can also make the steering feel twitchy in the wind. The rear wheel doesn’t matter as much. Shallower rims work better in windy conditions.
Rim brakes are also better than disc brakes in windy conditions. Disc brake rotors can get caught in the wind. This is only an issue in extremely windy conditions.
The ride position is also an important consideration. A bike with a more aerodynamic ride position can also be better in windy conditions. If you can crouch down into an aero position, you can ride into a headwind more easily and efficiently. This position can also be helpful in a crosswind.
6. Increase your cadence
Riding at a faster cadence can be helpful when riding into a strong headwind. Try to keep your cadence above 80 RPM. Shift into a lower gear if you have to. Maintaining a high cadence will keep your legs feeling fresher. You can maintain your pace for longer.
7. Don’t ride above your skill level
A professional cyclist may be able to ride reasonably safely in 30mph winds. This is because they are stronger, more skilled at bike handling, and more experienced.
A beginner cyclist may not feel safe riding in 20mph winds. Even lower wind speeds can blow you around. Particularly if there is a sudden gust. As you gain experience, you can ride in slightly stronger winds.
It also takes some muscle to ride in the wind. For example, you have to fight against the wind while riding into a headwind. You need to be a relatively strong cyclist to ride in high winds.
If you start your ride and feel unsafe because the wind is blowing you around on the road, go home and wait for the wind to die down.
8. Ride in a group
Riding in a group makes riding in the wind easier. This is because you can draft behind other cyclists. This greatly reduces wind resistance. The rider in the front cuts through the air so you face less resistance. Drafting can reduce air resistance by up to 20%. Everyone will take a turn being the lead rider. Everyone can ride faster and with less effort as a result.
9. The Weight of You and Your Bike Also Affect Your Performance in the Wind
A heavier bike and rider won’t get blown around in the wind quite as much. A 90 pound cyclist riding an ultralight road bike won’t be able to ride in as strong of winds as a 250 pound cyclist on a heavy fat bike. The heavier rider has more mass. The wind can’t blow them around as easily. Windy days are one situation where riding a heavier bike is actually beneficial.
My Experience
I’m a bit of a fair-weather cyclist. If the wind is blowing at more than 15 mph, I usually stay home. I don’t like riding in the wind. I don’t like the noise and I don’t like fighting against it.
Over the years, I have been caught in some strong winds. Particularly while bicycle touring. When I’m on a tour, I have no choice but to ride through the wind. I remember one time I was riding toward the coast and I got caught in a strong headwind. I was cycling at around 3mph all day.
While riding in the wind, I have never encountered any dangerous situations. If it’s blowing too hard, I will stop until it dies down.
Final Thoughts
There will be some days when it’s too windy to ride. Before you get on your bike, it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast.
If the forecast calls for wind above 20mph, you may want to reconsider your route. If the forecast calls for wind above 30mph, you may want to stay home. At wind speeds above 30mph, cycling can become hazardous. It’s also difficult to ride in high winds.
When wind speeds reach 40-50mph, you should stay off your bike. This is considered gale-force wind. There will likely be a wind advisory.
Riding in the wind isn’t much fun. Cycling in the wind can be as difficult as cycling up hills. You can ride in the wind if you take some precautions.
Do you ride your bike in the wind? Share your experience in the comments below!
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Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.