Riding my bicycle in headwinds...

So I was riding today...into a 20 mile headwind.  On a normal day I have my bike in 3rd gear (7 gear bike).  I am usually going about 10-13 MPH (as per TomTom).  I couldn't keep up the pace and had to drop to second for awhile...Then back up to third after I caught my beath (or endurance came back).  Just wondering what you distance riders do when you hit a headwind?  Do you drop a gear and cycle faster or cycle the same rotations?  Oh, and if a strong wind is on your back to you move up a gear?  Just wondering how you take them on.  PS  I HATE HEADWINDS!!

a super strong headwind will make it feel exactly like a climb, so i act accordingly and shift down.  vice-versa on a strong tail wind, it can feel like a descent (just not as fast) so i will slap her in the big ring and mash.  i really hate headwinds too, at least on a climb you get a sense of accomplishment when you summit :)

Headwinds are horrible, they absolutely do feel like riding up hill.  You do what you need to do to get through it.  It's better to shift down than to burn yourself out.

It could be worse and it could have been a headwind while going uphill.

Probably the most discouraging is that false flat, that is actually a slight climb.  With the headwind, it makes you feel like you are working so hard and getting nowhere.

When I hit a tough patch, I shift down and try to relax, I don't try to work harder on a long ride, that is just a recipe for burning yourself out and not finishing a ride.  The road will change eventually or the wind, or both.  Just try to get through it, use it as a recovery period if you have to, get some fluid, set into a comfortable cadence and go.

I don't know where you are training wise this time of year but just keep your HR monitor or PowerTap where you want it. Let the wind blow, let it snow or anything else mother nature throws at you. But just keep it steady and light and sort of tap it out, as we called it back the. Years ago when preparing for the upcoming season and living further north in Belgium where the wind just roared. The only good thing that came out of it was that, when I got to the point where the wind no longer bothered me mentally, Which was about this time of year, I was at a higher level of fitness.

I'm with the boys, I downshift and try to pretend I'm climbing, but yeah I HATE HEADWINDS TOO!!  UGG! 

Now tailwinds on the other hand.....love them!! They helped me go 40mph the other day! Now I'm working on breaking past that!

Good luck out there!