http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: What is the highest wind speeds... en Wed, 13 May 2026 05:09:34 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-212486 Fri, 19 Feb 2016 13:36:45 +0000 Boab08 212486@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cheers all. Some useful replies. I may review my cut off and go with 50mph gusts as my cut off. That's what I do with hillwalking. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210575 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 13:39:28 +0000 The Boy 210575@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Whereas I braved the block headwind and am now looking forward to leaving in about twenty minutes and getting home with barely a pedal turned in anger. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210566 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 13:18:26 +0000 wishicouldgofaster 210566@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Decided against the bike today so not looking forward to the delay it getting home later :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210527 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:29:18 +0000 paulmilne 210527@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Neil, the omafiets is a tradeoff to be sure. With the chainguard and larger overall area it certainly presents more surface area, and the upright sitting position doesn't help either, but subjectively I feel less wobbly on it.</p> <p>Also I'm trudging through some brief but very sloppy muddy bits of track and the the oma muscles through that more handily. Because of that It also means the road bike is more ready for the weekend training sessions when they come round instead of having to hose it down first. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210523 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:15:41 +0000 wingpig 210523@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Wind somehow in my face again heading up Leith Walk yet blowing to the south-east according to a flag on top of something in George Street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210522 Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:13:20 +0000 SRD 210522@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>...speaking of which, massive tree down across west branch of NMW </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210500 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:03:19 +0000 mercury1and2 210500@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well I cycled all day Fr and til 3pm today and I found it difficult - mcdonald rd there is a bad crosswind. The effort is like double the cycle and I rested all sat. Today in some places I walked-Im 12 stone and the hybrid pinnacle is 32 pounds approx and I struggled in places. wind and rain together is not nice </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210489 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 18:49:08 +0000 Neil 210489@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It would make my day easier if I was to cycle tomorrow but reckon I'll just bus it again tomorrow. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210481 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 18:08:51 +0000 chrisfl 210481@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just about to leave to pick up children, did the dropoff this morning by bike, but (because of some plot) ended up working at home this afternoon, and don't think I want to risk some of these gusts of wind, having been blownoff the path through Harrison Park this afternoon. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997&page=2#post-210472 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:42:42 +0000 condor2378 210472@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I also bailed out of taking child no 2 to nursery on the tagalong today. Hate to admit it but I used the <strike>car</strike> as he was also shattered from an energetic weekend and taking the bus means a fairly long walk for him (and a 1.5 mile one for me also). But at least I pay Road Tax! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210467 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:58:05 +0000 The Boy 210467@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I often check the time the wind is expected to die down. At the moment my commute takes me invariably into a headwind towards Stevenson College. I can cope with getting down on the drops and putting on my pain face to crawl along at less than 10km/h as long as I can sit without pedaling on the way back towards Roseburn. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210466 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:52:40 +0000 gembo 210466@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As I was on heavier bike this morning I took the cobbles at the lift bridge of leamington. Normally go left down to road past the ex hunter's welly factory. Nearly blown into the canal basin turning at the corner near the bars. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210444 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:18:01 +0000 Gresham Flyer 210444@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>These incidents on Friday on my usual route and at my usual cycling time made me think not taking the bike had been a good idea.</p> <p>"He sustained head injuries but was said to be conscious when ambulance crews arrived at the scene in Pinkhill at 07:45<br /> Meanwhile, a tree fell onto the roof of a bus on Corstorphine Road near Ormidale Terrace at 07:35."</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35438515" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35438515</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210426 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:03:27 +0000 steveo 210426@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I used to use the mtb over the racer when it was really bad, the riding position is more stable, the wide bars give more control and the wheels weighed about the same as the entirety of the other bike. The fact that it's much slower probably helped too. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210414 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 12:06:54 +0000 Neil 210414@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@paulmilne I've wondered about whether the heavier hybrid would be better or worse in strong winds....it's heavier yes but I guess I also present a larger "sail" to the wind? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210400 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:28:22 +0000 Uberuce 210400@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I lived in Slateford I'd cycle in anything, but now that I'm in Roslin I don't have any route that doesn't have some pretty exposed stretches, so I draw the line at 50mph gusts. </p> <p>Rode into work this morning and it was almost benign aside from the usual crosswind over the bypass at Fairmilehead, but tonight might involve me abandoning my noble steed for the bus. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210398 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:15:21 +0000 paulmilne 210398@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In these windy conditions I've swapped back from my new road bike to my 10-ton Dutch omafiets. Heavier to get going but less likely to be knocked over by gusts, and once momentum is achieved it's easier to maintain. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210397 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:14:48 +0000 jdanielp 210397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh, wind direction is also a major factor - if it is a head or a tail wind then I'm not as concerned about high wind speed and/or gusts, but cross winds will put me off. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210393 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:09:26 +0000 Neil 210393@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Walking from the bus stop to work was hard going. I didn't regret my decision. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210392 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:07:34 +0000 jdanielp 210392@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Now that BBC Weather has black gust speeds I'm having to recalibrate a little: I used a 'general' wind speed of 40mph+ as a cut-off previously although this probably meant that I cycled in considerably gustier conditions at times without being aware of it; 50mph+ gust speeds are likely to be the new cut-off... I also have my own system involving wind speed, precipitation and darkness: any one is fine (unless 'extreme'), any two are manageable, but three are not a good idea, and unavoidable ice is an instant no. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210388 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:36:26 +0000 chdot 210388@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Maybe it's better in black and white</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/life-style/nostalgia-highs-and-blows-of-stormy-capital-life-1-4016338" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/life-style/nostalgia-highs-and-blows-of-stormy-capital-life-1-4016338</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210383 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:28:17 +0000 SRD 210383@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Had one gust that required me to brake and put both feet solidly on the ground. Big black bin next to me almost went over too. Luckily on a quiet side street, with no vehicles moving nearby. Once I got on the main roads was fine, except for the numpties around the temp lights on Gilmore place. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210379 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:05:56 +0000 chdot 210379@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Now I worry I'm just getting softer generally..."</p> <p>Can't answer that!</p> <p>It's a general principle of this forum that people cycling is a good thing, and important to make people realise that it's not 'all or nothing'. </p> <p>There is no need/expectation that people should get fit/bold/equipped so that they can cycle 5-7 days a week and/or 12 months per year. </p> <p>Many people realise that they enjoy cycling - for its own sake, or health benefits, or flexibility, or money saving and cycle 'all the time'. </p> <p>Others don't bother when it's dark/cold/wet etc. </p> <p>Which is perfectly reasonable. </p> <p>Crucial thing is to start again when conditions 'suit'! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210378 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 10:05:01 +0000 wingpig 210378@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm wary about winds doing things like applying an unexpected and unwanted sideways force to my wheels when they're on tram tracks, seeing as one once managed to blow my front wheel six inches sideways going down Johnstone Terrace. I am so far uninjured on the roads on bikes , whereas I once had one of those plasticky signs you get attached to Heras fencing whap me in the eye when walking and really don't like sharing footways with people with pointy-edged umbrellae even when it's not windy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210376 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:43:22 +0000 Neil 210376@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmmmm....sitting on a warm bus watching the tipping rain and not regretting not being out in it. Now I worry I'm just getting softer generally... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210374 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:39:32 +0000 paddyirish 210374@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Cycled over the bridge this morning and until now I've generally accepted the control room's view- if the gate is open, it is OK to cycle, if closed (due to weather), it is for a good reason.</p> <p>However, since they moved to the west pathway, I've changed that view. On the East the bridge and traffic provide a lot of shelter from the SWer, but on the west this morning there was diddly squat. That (45mph gusts) was as much as I was comfortable on there. I will not be cycling across this evening, even if it is open to bikes...</p> <p>Did an audax about 18 months ago- Crystal Run where we went out into East Lothian with a wonderful tailwind (think the wind was a steady 40mph) and then turned back into it for the 2nd half. 3mph uphill, 5 mph on the flat and probably no more than 10mph coming down off Redstane Rig, which was such a disappointment. Never felt unsafe, just burst! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210371 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:32:11 +0000 Neil 210371@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Up until recently I cycled regardless of the forecast. However, lately for some reason I have found myself reluctant to cycle in strong winds and gusts. </p> <p>I've cycled in worse winds than we're having at the moment and largely without incident, although I've pretty much invariably had at least one occasion where a gust has caught the wheel or pushed the bike violently. Perhaps it was being hit by the car a few months ago, I'm not sure...</p> <p>I'm trying out a new rule of not cycling if there is a wind warning (yellow, amber, I haven't decided...)- I don't think they're that common really on the scale of things? </p> <p>I'm getting the bus today, and probably tomorrow too. It doesn't seem that bad at the moment but looks like it's going to be worse at home time tonight. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210369 Sun, 31 Jan 2016 23:22:29 +0000 steveo 210369@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>When I worked in town I'd just grab the bike and worry about it later, I'm not so dependent on it now so I tend to draw the line at 45 mph gusts. With the fixed gear I found myself being blown to a complete stop on a couple of occasions. That is less than ideal. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210368 Sun, 31 Jan 2016 22:53:16 +0000 Min 210368@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I once (aged 14) cycled 5 miles* in the pitch black in 80mph winds with 100 mph gusts. Headwind, obviously. As a result I am very squeamish about cycling in the wind and if I don't like the sound of it I don't do it. If other cyclists want to go out in it, that is up to them. </p> <p>*45 minutes since you ask. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=15997#post-210367 Sun, 31 Jan 2016 22:36:58 +0000 Rosie 210367@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Years ago during gale force winds I was blown sideways off the cycle in Semple Street. I landed on my hands and knees. One wrist broken, the other sprained. I was in hospital a couple of days and off work for about 12 weeks. I've been fairly nervous of wind ever since. </p>