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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on October 25, 2010 at 6:41am

Tommorrow's commute south on LFP is going to be a blast. Bring it on.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 25, 2010 at 6:53am

I guess I hadn't payed attention. Most days with high winds I'd just ride in, it would just be a little slower. But tomorrow's AM commute: Wind S at 25mph (that's sustained), and 70% change at thunderstorms. I might just take the Metra....

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Permalink Reply by Melanie K on October 25, 2010 at 7:02am

I am curious if any of you experience any type of worry over being blown sideways? Once in a while, while riding north along Lincoln Avenue, I get gusts of wind that literally force me to fight the bike for control as it feels I am being blown sideways into traffic or might just topple over. Maybe that is just me or maybe it is normal. I still mange to stay upright and straight, it is just once in a while I worry about these things.Thanks :)

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on October 25, 2010 at 7:12am

Melanie said:

I am curious if any of you experience any type of worry over being blown sideways? Once in a while, while riding north along Lincoln Avenue, I get gusts of wind that literally force me to fight the bike for control as it feels I am being blown sideways into traffic or might just topple over. Maybe that is just me or maybe it is normal. I still mange to stay upright and straight, it is just once in a while I worry about these things.Thanks :)

Happens to everyone. Gusts can be very scary, especially if you have a tailwind and are going fast and then the gust comes from a cross-direction to the sustained wind. In truth I will probably be CTAing it tommorrow because of morning rain, and if it actually is 35-40 mph sustained like they are saying it will be on Wednesday, I will sit that day out as well. That is just nuts.

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on October 25, 2010 at 7:13am

A good head-wind is great for training, but I worry about those side-winds too. I've been blown into traffic and parked cars before. Take the lane if you need to (good advice also considering the other thread about the dooring in Lincoln Park). The story didn't mention wind direction. Anybody know?

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on October 25, 2010 at 7:14am

Weather from the fed (make use of your tax dollars):

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Chicago&state...

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 25, 2010 at 8:40am

Mr. Bike's book Urban Bike' Tips And Trips has great tips on riding in windy weather. You can pick up the book at many bike shops in the city.

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Permalink Reply by Gin on October 25, 2010 at 8:48am

Yes--I do get whipped about sometimes. Agree with taking a lane to give yourself a buffer. High winds and cold rain are the only weather conditions that really make me gnash my teeth.



Melanie said:

I am curious if any of you experience any type of worry over being blown sideways? Once in a while, while riding north along Lincoln Avenue, I get gusts of wind that literally force me to fight the bike for control as it feels I am being blown sideways into traffic or might just topple over. Maybe that is just me or maybe it is normal. I still mange to stay upright and straight, it is just once in a while I worry about these things.Thanks :)

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Permalink Reply by Nançois on October 25, 2010 at 9:07am

No word on direction that I can see, but my Weather Channel app is warning that "falling tree limbs and sporadic power outages can be expected." 30-40mph winds with 60mph gusts--isn't that hurricane-strength? I believe I will take CTA.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on October 25, 2010 at 9:12am

Back in 2008 when that tornado went north of the city in August, I was on the lakefront path. The wind came so hard from the west I literally was biking sideways. Trash bins were blowing over in front of me, Limbs of trees fell in front of me, and I thought I was going to go right off the path between north and oak. Scary stuff but a little pychotic laugh and white knuckles got me through it...barely.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU BRAVE SOULS TOMORROW!

Melanie said:

I am curious if any of you experience any type of worry over being blown sideways? Once in a while, while riding north along Lincoln Avenue, I get gusts of wind that literally force me to fight the bike for control as it feels I am being blown sideways into traffic or might just topple over. Maybe that is just me or maybe it is normal. I still mange to stay upright and straight, it is just once in a while I worry about these things.Thanks :)

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 25, 2010 at 9:16am

I've sometimes been blown sideways in high wind gusts like they're predicting for tomorrow. More sheltered streets are my usual answer, however, in winds this extreme, the risk of getting hit by falling tree branches is much higher than normal. Between gusty winds and high probability of t-storms, it sounds like a good public transit day to me.

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Permalink Reply by Melanie K on October 25, 2010 at 9:23am

I am planning to brave it tomorrow- I recall once last year were touring in Wisconsin when a storm/tornado came through the area... rain, hail, lightning and super nasty winds and no shelter in sight for a few miles, just fields and trees that were bending so close to the roadway, I thought we'd get hit by the branches. That was a white knuckle ride, so I am thinking that I will brave it tomorrow and Wednesday, as now that I remember, if we survived that, I should be able to deal with the windy rainy city...of course, there were not as many vehicles out and about that day. Thanks for the well wishing everyone. And I think the weather service said it will be south to southwesterly winds for tomorrow if I read the forecast correctly.

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