sonny
Living Legend
Claviger I could just see myself explaining to the state trooper at 2:00 am in the morning the reason we are riding at 138 miles per hour is to counter the 45 mile a hour crosswind. That is one situation I would not enjoy. 
THE WIND
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TriumPhil
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sonny, as a former champion, competitive racing sailor, I found that an understanding of "apparent wind' comes in handy as it relates to riding a motorcycle. Hope that you and others find the following articles both helpful and interesting:
Riding in strong wind gusts
How To Ride In A Motorcycle In A Heavy Crosswind | RideApart
Riding in strong wind gusts
How To Ride In A Motorcycle In A Heavy Crosswind | RideApart
Boog
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@TriumPhil maybe you can help me figure out the slack tide on the Potomac Rive in Dumfries for the July 16 swim. I know I have the flow in my favor in the direction I will be swimming, but the tide affects the river as well and I would love to take the easy way out and swim with the tide, not against it. Any ideas?
TriumPhil
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Indeed, I'll try, Sir...
Basically, it sounds as if the organizers of the event have have taken the tides into account somewhat, Bobby. Preferably you'd want to begin the event with an outflowing tide (down river) but be making the turn right about at slack tide and/or when the tide is beginning to flow (flooding) back upriver against the current. that probably won't reverse the course of the river's flow there but it should soften the bite of swimming upriver against the current. One good trick that might be available to you is to find out which is the best course to take when you are going upriver where the oppositional forces of the river's current and the turbulence potentially caused by it's meeting the flooding tide, is minimized.
Usually your best bet for the inside track is either from frequent sailors in that particular part of the river or people that fish that area frequently enough to be familiar with the watercourse you need to negotiate. There are almost always anomalies in the river bottom - either channels, shallows (shoals) and/or deepwater areas (holes) that can give you the upper hand in finding the path of least resistance, as it were. On the day of the race, wind, too, can be your friend or your enemy. Wind shadows (areas were the adverse effects of a headwind or crosswind are blocked or minimized) or utilizing staying to the leeward of a headwind (in the lee of the land) could be a very useful strategy to ease your way. Windshadows can be created by man made structures along the watercourse, like walls or large buildings or even specific features in the terrain. Essentially, you'll need to case the joint and gather as much local knowledge as you can from those who are most familiar with the water and wind behavior in that area.
You are an old swabby, so I'm assuming that you've learned how to read the waters for both wind patterns and intensity as well as for noting changes indicating more favorable conditions when in the current. River currents and eddies that are affected by either a nearby Bay or the ocean are generally very challenging for newbies, so I'd seek out some cognoscenti in the local area of the race, perhaps starting with the owner of that restaurant you've mentioned or a local yacht club or two if there are any nearby. I'm betting that if he doesn't know the ins and outs of those local waters, he'll know some local folks that do and that would be happy to give you the low-down on how to best utilize the currents, tidal flows, above ground and in-river terrain and areal wind tips for your water course.
There are some other nuances relating to wind, such as land and sea breezes and learning to gauge (time) puffs and lulls and "clocking" wind shifts, but this is more than enough to get started with. Besides much of what I have mentioned above will change dramatically due to the variances of seasonal climatic differences between conditions in the Potomac at this time of the season versus those that will prevail come July.
Basically, it sounds as if the organizers of the event have have taken the tides into account somewhat, Bobby. Preferably you'd want to begin the event with an outflowing tide (down river) but be making the turn right about at slack tide and/or when the tide is beginning to flow (flooding) back upriver against the current. that probably won't reverse the course of the river's flow there but it should soften the bite of swimming upriver against the current. One good trick that might be available to you is to find out which is the best course to take when you are going upriver where the oppositional forces of the river's current and the turbulence potentially caused by it's meeting the flooding tide, is minimized.
Usually your best bet for the inside track is either from frequent sailors in that particular part of the river or people that fish that area frequently enough to be familiar with the watercourse you need to negotiate. There are almost always anomalies in the river bottom - either channels, shallows (shoals) and/or deepwater areas (holes) that can give you the upper hand in finding the path of least resistance, as it were. On the day of the race, wind, too, can be your friend or your enemy. Wind shadows (areas were the adverse effects of a headwind or crosswind are blocked or minimized) or utilizing staying to the leeward of a headwind (in the lee of the land) could be a very useful strategy to ease your way. Windshadows can be created by man made structures along the watercourse, like walls or large buildings or even specific features in the terrain. Essentially, you'll need to case the joint and gather as much local knowledge as you can from those who are most familiar with the water and wind behavior in that area.
You are an old swabby, so I'm assuming that you've learned how to read the waters for both wind patterns and intensity as well as for noting changes indicating more favorable conditions when in the current. River currents and eddies that are affected by either a nearby Bay or the ocean are generally very challenging for newbies, so I'd seek out some cognoscenti in the local area of the race, perhaps starting with the owner of that restaurant you've mentioned or a local yacht club or two if there are any nearby. I'm betting that if he doesn't know the ins and outs of those local waters, he'll know some local folks that do and that would be happy to give you the low-down on how to best utilize the currents, tidal flows, above ground and in-river terrain and areal wind tips for your water course.
There are some other nuances relating to wind, such as land and sea breezes and learning to gauge (time) puffs and lulls and "clocking" wind shifts, but this is more than enough to get started with. Besides much of what I have mentioned above will change dramatically due to the variances of seasonal climatic differences between conditions in the Potomac at this time of the season versus those that will prevail come July.
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Boog
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Thanks for all the advice Phil.
I am only racing myself and time here as I have been told no one else is dumb enough to swim this far. I know of a couple but I won't argue.
Yesterday's 2.5 mile pool swim was a tough one after swimming 7.5 miles during the earlier part of the week. And while swimming 10 miles in a week is a big milestone for me, I still need to work up to the endurance level of swimming 17 miles in a day. Just keep swimming...
I am only racing myself and time here as I have been told no one else is dumb enough to swim this far. I know of a couple but I won't argue.
Yesterday's 2.5 mile pool swim was a tough one after swimming 7.5 miles during the earlier part of the week. And while swimming 10 miles in a week is a big milestone for me, I still need to work up to the endurance level of swimming 17 miles in a day. Just keep swimming...
