How to Train in the Wind

It’s often said that if a thing is easy, it probably isn’t worth doing. We don’t think that’s always the case. Eating pizza after a long ride is easy, for example. But it certainly applies to some of the more challenging types of cycling tests, such as wind training. 

There are things you can plan and prep for when it comes to training in the wind, and that’s what this guide covers. But it also explores the more profound benefits to pedalling through adversity, benefits that not only improve your cycling, but mindset, too…

Why training in the wind can be a powerful tool 

Training in the wind is often something that’s thought of as a necessity; it’s a thing cyclists tend to begrudge, rather than embrace. While we do understand this aversion, the benefits to wind training are too potent to ignore. You can get better, faster, and more mentally resilient. What’s not to love?

Here’s what you can gain: 

• Strength: certain types of wind (that we’ll get into shortly) provide natural resistance. Akin to climbing hills, this pushback strengthens leg muscles and tendons. 
• Endurance: fighting against wind to keep cycling is a lot harder than cycling without any form of resistance; as such, your cardiovascular endurance will improve significantly. 
• Bike handling: once you’ve ridden through a few gnarly wind sessions, handling your bike in general, and the focus and stability required to do it well, becomes a lot easier. 
• Mental resilience: windy conditions can be tough on the mind and body. Willingly training in those conditions builds mentality monsters. 

The different types of wind (stop sniggering in the back, please)

If you’re intent on figuring out the optimal way to train in the wind, it’s probably best to have basic knowledge of the different categories, first. We’ll stop short of insisting you have to become the wind to understand it, but if you’ve ever caught a tailwind going downhill, you’ll sort of know what that feels like anyway. 

The 5 types of wind

You’ll find yourself interacting with (read: being battered by) local winds primarily, so that’s where our focus will be today. To understand the challenges they pose and the opportunities they provide, it’s the directional subtypes of local wind that you’ll want to get comfortable with. 

Local winds: how to identify them when training 

Training in windy conditions can be a real test, especially if you’re not au fait with the different kinds of forces you’ll be contending with. There are three main types that you’ll want to get to know: 

• Headwinds: a wind that blows against a cyclist’s forward motion, stymying movement and making you work harder. You’ll get varying intensities of headwinds. Some will be manageable, and some will feel like the gods have a personal vendetta against you and your bicycle. 
• Tailwinds: the cool, much more chill sibling of a headwind. Wind that blows in the same direction as you’re cycling, meaning you can move faster and cover more ground, quicker. Kind of like feeling the touch of a guardian angel propelling you forwards as you barrel down hilly roads
• Crosswinds: blows across the direction you’re cycling in. These can be particularly discombobulating, and are especially common on roads with large vehicles. 

How to prepare for wind training 

While there’s a lot to consider on the day, as is often the case with cycling, diligent preparation can be the difference between a bad ride and a lousy one. Most of these tips are transferable to cycling in general, so getting good at applying them will have benefits that cross over to other aspects of your training. 

• Dress for the elements: wind often comes with cooler temperatures, and it can exacerbate any cold that is there. Dress in wind-resistant layers that are breathable, but also quite true to size. You want to be as streamlined as possible to avoid drag, so baggy jackets are a big no. 
• Hydration and nutrition: training in the wind requires more energy than regular training. Make sure you’re properly hydrated — obviously that’s something you should be shooting for anyway — and also properly fuelled up before you hit the road. You’ll need that energy for the ride. 
• Prepare for adversity: there is a certain unpredictability and volatility when you train in the wind. That can be frustrating, and challenging. Embrace that added level of discomfort and use it to push you to greater heights as a cyclist. 

Key strategies for effective wind training 

You know what winds to look out for, you’ve done everything you can to prepare, and now it’s time to face the day (and the wind). Here’s what you should do to make sure you’re getting the most from your wind training: 

• Tackle headwinds first: start your ride by facing the headwind. This is when you’ll have the most energy, allowing you to conserve some verve for the return trip, where you hopefully have a tailwind at your back…
• Use tailwinds to your advantage: you can do two things when you’re blessed with a tailwind: either use it as an opportunity to slow down, and let the wind take over, or use it as an opportunity to go faster than you’d normally be able to. We like the second one (responsibly, of course). 
• Stay aerodynamic: make sure to tuck in and maintain an aerodynamic position to reduce drag. Lower your body, grip the drops on your handlebars, and narrow your profile to cut through the wind like a knife through butter. 
• Master crosswinds: crosswinds can knock you off balance if you’re not careful, so take every opportunity you can to get familiar with their intricacies. Learn to angle your body slightly into the wind while maintaining stability. 

How do you train in the wind? By embracing the chaos 

Training in the wind isn’t easy, and that’s precisely what makes it so valuable. It’s hard to prep for, because every day has different conditions and intensity. It’s physically and mentally hard to train in, because that volatility means you’re almost always on the back foot. 

Knowing the different types of wind you’ll face — and what to do when you’re in the mix with them — is a great place to start. But to truly get the most from wind training, you need to embrace everything that makes it difficult and unruly. 

Lean in (sometimes literally) to the chaos of wind training and not only will you become a better, more versatile cyclist, you’ll add a layer of resilience to your mindset too.