Why do they wear Lycra ?

So I did get a 31 mile ride this afternoon. From Aberdeen, Orrock, Newmachar, Dyce and back to Aberdeen. So why should you never trust a sunny day? well here on the North East Coast the sun is often only visible when there is either an offshore or onshore wind to blow the haar and the clouds away. Today was one such day, an offshore wind was blowing and from what I can see outside it is still blowing. 24 km/h from the west which for me meant I got the wind on my left side, on my right side and in my face but never on my back. I would love to say it’s no bother but after 1200 rides over 4 years and nearly 29,000 miles covered I still can’t seem to break through the impenetrable wall we refer to as wind. If you chat to folk they will swear black is blue that rides it the wind are faster and they may well be if the wind is on your back. But if you have to turn back into the wind then whatever was banked before is withdrawn and leaves you in debt.

The simple fact is that a ride on a looped course is always slower when the wind blows. You don’t believe me??

Here look.

20 mile out and back course with 6mph tailwind.

tailwind of 6mph, effort of 20mph, speed on cycle computer = 26mph. So 10 mile course covered in 23.xx minutes.

headwind of 6mph, effort of 20mph, speed on cycle computer = 14mph. So 10 mile course covered in 42.xx minutes.

total time 20 miles in 65 minutes = 18.4xx mph

Same 20 mile out and back course but with 1 mph tailwind.

tailwind of 1mph, effort of 20mph, speed on cycle computer = 21mph. So 10 mile course covered in 28.xx minutes.

headwind of 1mph, effort of 20mph, speed on cycle computer = 19mph. So 10 mile course covered in 31.5xx minutes.

total time 20 miles in 59.xx  minutes = 20.3xx mph

So that’s why they wear Lycra.

Oops sorry

That why we wear Lycra.

And Spandex.

And Meryl.

And …….