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Wind and bicycling

2010-10-13 20:00:06.791226+00 by Dan Lyke 2 comments

Observation of the day: Geoffrey Irving pointed out:

If the wind blows with speed v in a random direction, and you bike along at speed u, you lose the same energy as if there was a continuous headwind of speed (u^3+1.5 u v^3)^(1/3)-u. Maybe this is why it feels like the wind always blows in the wrong direction.

[ related topics: Mathematics Bicycling ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: made: 2010-10-14 08:51:44.149351+00 by: DaveP

Then how is it that it's always uphill both directions, too?

#Comment Re: made: 2010-10-14 14:49:11.229744+00 by: Larry Burton

There is one road I've been riding regularly that feels like it is slightly downhill in both directions. I've come to the conclusion that it is probably the only level road I've ridden on and that I'm just getting a lesson in momentum.