Wind!

[fatwomble]

What a difference a reasonably strong headwind makes.

Yesterday was the first time (in 9 weeks of commuting 2 days a week) I rode home into the wind for pretty much the full 12 mile distance. I normally have about 1/2 charge left after the full 24 mile round trip. I did an extra 2 miles to get lunch (I normally walk) and had the battery flashing red from about 3 miles from home.

I assume it pushed me back under 15 mph in places I normally ride without assistance.

You live and learn, at least I know now and will either peddle a bit harder or drop the power setting to min.

 

[Croxden]

I manage 20 miles on the Haibike just as the battery flattened as arrived home.

Having to change down two gears and peddle on a steep downhill gradient shows a non electric would be unridable in these conditions.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I know about the wind. My commute used to take me down about 8 miles of the A5, which is a roman road, so dead straight. In the morning the wind would be about 5 degrees forward of directly on my side, so it would come over the hedges and then funnel down the road, so that it came directly from the front. I thought, at least I'll have it behind me on the way home when I'm tired and it's uphill, but 9 times out of ten, it backed 10 degrees in the afternoon, so it funnelled against me again.

 

[Gaz]

Small wind turbine on your handlebars, topping up the battery is the answer

Or alternatively giving up and turning around. Life's too short - go with the flow!

Gaz
(Hater of every wind except a soft, gentle summer breeze as I watch the condensation trickling down the side of a nice pint)

 

[fatwomble]

Or alternatively giving up and turning around. Life's too short - go with the flow!

Trouble is that turning round takes me back to work

 

[Gaz]

Move house - or time for a career change then?

Wind knocked my battery down by 25% in four miles the other day. Gruelling

Gaz

 

[Danidl]

What a difference a reasonably strong headwind makes.

Yesterday was the time (in 9 weeks of commuting 2 days a week) I rode home into the wind for pretty much the full 12 mile distance. I normally have about 1/2 charge left after the full 24 mile round trip. I did an extra 2 miles to get lunch (I normally walk) and had the battery flashing red from about 3 miles from home.

I assume it pushed me back under 15 mph in places I normally ride without assistance.

You live and learn, at least I know now and will either peddle a bit harder or drop the power setting to min.

Wind is the single most energy sapping component in biking. The power required to travel increases by the cube (power of 3 ) of the apparant wind speed. Say your wind resistance required 10watts effort at a speed of 5 miles per hour it would become 80 watts at 10 miles per HR.

 

[footpump]

I have cycled every day for the last 35 days, although its been dry,every single day has been windy, most off the time the wind has been quite strong so it gets to the point of being really annoying.
regardless of which direction I take I always seem to be in a crosswind.
and reminds me of why I purchased an ebike in the first place.
nr Watford herts

 

[KirstinS]

My 15 mile round trip commute is flat and on seafront. I cuse between 5ah and 10ah depending totally on wind direction and strength. Huge difference for so few miles !