How to handle the Cape Town wind on your bike

You can train for a race anywhere, but sometimes when you arrive, you find that the weather can throw you off track – literally and figuratively! The wind in Cape Town is a force to be reckoned with, so here are some tips to keep in mind for handling the gales and gusts while cycling.

• Don’t do it alone. Few things are as demoralising as fighting a headwind solo! It’s important to ride in a group or peloton. This will reduce the physical energy it takes to fight the wind because you are only in the lead position intermittently.
• When in a group, concentrate on the wheel in front of you. The speed of a peloton varies, and you need to adjust to the changes quickly in order to prevent collisions. If each person focusses only on the wheel ahead of them, chances are that the group will adapt as one.
• Remember that riding in a group is like being part of a team. You aren’t there to catch a free ride. Everyone needs to earn their spot by spending time and working hard in the front.
• Be careful. Keep your eyes peeled so you can react quickly to changing situations, speeds and sudden or powerful gusts of wind. Don’t do anything rash just to get ahead – safety comes first!
• Position yourself to reduce resistance. If it happens that you get left behind, try see the wind as a challenge – something you have to overcome, like a hill. Get into a low position on your bike so that air flows over your head and back and doesn’t hit your torso. This will reduce drag.

Chances are that you’ll soon to find similarly-positioned stragglers. Use this as a new opportunity to make new friends and work together to form a winning bunch. Hopefully, you can catch up to the guys who left you stranded in the first place, so they can then join your peloton (if you’re nice) or, preferably, eat your dust!