... for tomorrow, Thursday 20/03/2014:
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
"Near gale" force winds forecast
(55 posts)-
Posted 10 years ago #
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I'm just keeping on the low racer then. I know it's 'cheating' (and considered by those that have never tried as 'odd, dangerous' etc) but I find strong headwinds sap my will to enjoy cycling.
Expect lots 'tailwinds make it all worthwhile' comments!
Posted 10 years ago # -
There was a "braw drouth" this morning for sure
Posted 10 years ago # -
Hmmm. The Met Office is forecasting similar conditions to today. I have to admit it is quite breezy out there (in a "stamp your way into a headwind" way). No warnings from the Met Office either...
Posted 10 years ago # -
I took the kids into nursery today in the trailer, I'm sure at times I could have gone backwards had I stopped pedaling due to the large sail effect this causes.
And how does it manage to always be a headwind regardless of direction traveled?
Posted 10 years ago # -
Just back from a Balgreen - Edinburgh Park - Gogar - Maybury - D-Mains circuit before heading home. The winds themselves weren't that bad, except for the climb along the tram tracks from Balgreen, where you are very exposed to them. The gusts were another matter!
Along Gogar Station Rd, I was pushed 3 feet to my right, onto the worst-surfaced part of the road. Not fun. And so much for this nonsense some drivers spout about "driving to the conditions" - towards the northern end of Cammo walk, cars flew towards me at 40-50mph, not taking into account that they were approaching a cyclist in high, gusty winds.
Be careful out there, the winds have really picked up in the last few minutes since I got indoors.
Posted 10 years ago # -
I was out this afternoon and while blowy it's really not that bad. If tomorrow's like this it'll be a breeze... (groan).
Posted 10 years ago # -
Was cycling home up Braid Road into some very gusty winds this evening. Almost reduced to a standstill at one point. Car drivers passing way too close as I tried to stay straight as the wind blew me about. In town it was just a gentle breeze!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Almost had my most amazing commute ever... had to wait at a couple of sets of lights but still going like a train with a massive tailwind - until I got two flats on NEPN!
I think I still made it in less than average time despite having to fix the flats :)
Posted 10 years ago # -
You'll pay for that later!
I had a most unpleasent walk plus I've got out the habit of getting changed at the office so I'm sitting in my slightly damp work trews...
Posted 10 years ago # -
I'm damp. The wind was unpleasant, but there was more rain than anticipated. I agree with Focus, drivers don't seem to think that a bike might be harder to keep in a straight line in the wind...
Posted 10 years ago # -
"drivers don't seem to think that a bike might be harder to keep in a straight line in the wind."
->
"drivers don't seem to think."
Posted 10 years ago # -
A lot of disturbed wheelie bins on my walk up Broughton Street towards Waverley. Must have been pretty breezy overnight.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"drivers don't seem to think."
Yep.
Looks pretty bad out there just now. Not so much the wind, but the rain added to the wind. Hopefully it will dry off a bit later...
Posted 10 years ago # -
Does anyone know how the FRB operates when it's closed the cyclists and pedestrians?
I was lucky enough to be picked up last night by a hero in a punto sized car who happened to have a bike rack in the boot and a willingness to stop for hitchers. I noticed at bridge control a couple of cyclists appeared to be loading bikes onto a bridge truck and wonder if they do a shuttle service when the gates are closed.
Posted 10 years ago # -
It doesn't happen often, but I actually turned back and headed home this morning.
Waiting on the lights at West Saville Terrace I got hit by a big gust. Fair enough, I just put my left foot out a bit further for stability. The next gust blew me off the road onto the pavement, and I only just stayed on my feet. Not at all sure how I got off the bike - some sort of balletic leap I expect. So I figured that if I carried on I was most certainly going to visit the aquatic lane of the canal towpath.
Missed the last X12 too, which makes getting to Gogarburn something of an epic. I think I'd actually have got here quicker if I'd chained the bike up and walked.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@acsimpson there is indeed a shuttle. I don't know how reliable it is though. The one time I almost experienced it was at the end of an audax. A truck arrived and the guy started to place the bikes flat in the back. It looked a little less "safe" for fragile goods than I would have liked. In the end so many of us arrived that they gave up and let us cross on our bikes (with no problem).
Posted 10 years ago # -
Quite a lot of rain this morning -
Looks set for the rest of the day -
Posted 10 years ago # -
I didn't know there was a FRB shuttle. When Boyfriend used to commute to Rosyth he got stopped from crossing at least once, but then he just went back to Inverkeithing and got the train!
Posted 10 years ago # -
Almost blown to a standstill at a couple of points along the Broomhouse cycle path this morning but cross-wind gusts not too unmanageable. Psyched for the tailwind on the commute home!
B*gger re: the forecast. Timed my commute this morning so I only caught the very start of the rain, but it's getting too warm to be comfortably cycling in my waterproof jacket all the time so I left it at home and just cycled in shorts & teeshirt.
Can't get any wetter past your skin, right?
Posted 10 years ago # -
I think I'd actually have got here quicker if I'd chained the bike up and walked.
I was thinking as I struggled along the Broomhouse path that I would probably have been quicker getting off and walking! It was some struggle and the wind-drive rain drops on the bare lower legs were particularly stinging.
Posted 10 years ago # -
@amir, Thanks. The number on the gate is 0845 so not ideal for mobiles but I've not programmed the 0131 number from their website into my phone so when it happens again I'll be able to phone and ask. I guess if it gets to cars only then they don't operate the shuttle.
To be honest last night I was more concerned between Dunfermline to Rosyth where there's traffic to contend with (Thankfully mostly well behaved last night). The wide bridge cycle path by comparison would have been fine.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"I was thinking as I struggled along the Broomhouse path that I would probably have been quicker getting off and walking"
I was down to 7 mph at some points there this morning, the part between Makro and Edinburgh Park Tram/Train stations was horrible.
I was worried at some points that some of the aluminium signage at the garages would be flying along at head height..........
However, hoping for the homeward benefit !
Posted 10 years ago # -
It was a little exciting coming in this morning. The feral recycling crates of Old Dalkeith Road attacked the traffic at the junction with Prestonfield Road this morning. I managed to weave my way through the blowing bags but one car got 2 or 3 bags of recycling stuck under the front bumper. Notwithstanding this the driver plowed on towards Cameron Toll until they all burst showering bottles and bits of cardboard everywhere.
Apart from that, all was fine though a little wobbly at times.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"The feral recycling crates of Old Dalkeith Road"
An image to cheer any office drone's day - cheers.
Posted 10 years ago # -
"
Kimberly (@ButtonsAndRobin)
20/03/2014 13:19
Worst ever bike ride to work along the canal this am. Directly into a headwind the whole way. Was pretty grim. @CyclingEdin"
At least people are still bothering to cycle!Must be some good reason(s).
Posted 10 years ago # -
I take my polystyrene bicycle hat off to Kimberly. I chickened out. Massive respect to all who braved Kaputnik's Fetid Viper and the Viaduct of Doom.
Posted 10 years ago # -
My bike was blown round 90° under me as I waited at lights yesterday.
Posted 10 years ago # -
Viaduct of doom was actually not too bad.. Scott Russell almost blew my cap off though..
Posted 10 years ago # -
"Scott Russell almost blew my cap off"
It's been ten years since I last got blown off the road. I was making my merry way down Dundas Street and all of a sudden found myself whizzing down the pavement of Dundas Street. I'd been lifted bodily...transported as in the rapture.
It would've been the canal that I was transported to today, so discretion got the better of valour.
Posted 10 years ago #
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