Uphill versus Against the Wind

[nez]

Kinder Downfall: Strong winds force waterfall to 'flow backwards'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-englan ... e-60246800

I’ve seen water flow from the Essex and Suffolk Stour into its tributary streams. Just depends on the amount of rain further upstream - which was phenomenal

[Benz3ne]

I personally prefer uphill versus wind. I can see where I’m going and where’s going to be tougher where a good gale makes an otherwise known route a difficulty.

[djnotts]

Heading home today in a westerly direction felt like uphill when it wasn't. It's the noise that annoys.

[gregoryoftours]

In answer to the original question, you can't really answer it meaningfully because they require such different riding techniques. Give me a steep uphill and 'dancing' on the pedals any day over head down as low as possible and grinding at a snail's pace into a headwind! Also wind is less predictable than a gradient that you can see.

[PJ520]

It's possible to get the worst of both. It's been known for riders to flog up the Bealach and get blown to a standstill once over the top. I had something similar the first time I crossed the Continental Divide. After hours of climbing, not very steep admittedly, I was looking forward to easy going on the west side; once I started going down I found myself having to pedal downhill.

[kmarles]

Yes, the effort will be the same. E.g. 3.5 W/Kg uphill will be the same effort as 3.5 W/Kg into the wind.

[Mick F]

Climbed Gunnislake Hill and over the top towards Callington this morning.
Up a long steep hill heading west, into a westerly gale.

Fun coming back home though.

[Ayseven]

Not sure about the original question, but going down a hill is more fun than going with the wind at your back!

[Blondie]

Surely it’s the same if I maintain the same heart rate for both?

[sussex cyclist]

The aerodynamic force is proportional to the square of the air speed. For any force the power required is the product of the force and the speed (in the relevant direction). So the power is proportional to the cube.

I haven’t the brainpower to work that out, but it sounds good.

Give me a steep uphill and 'dancing' on the pedals any day over head down as low as possible and grinding at a snail's pace into a headwind!

A landmark on one of my regular hills. Unfortunately the people who live here don't hang out of the windows cheering me on.



Incidentally, this is the hill my Enigma finally died on.

[Slowtwitch]

Not sure about the original question, but going down a hill is more fun than going with the wind at your back!

+1 I love a high speed descent

[Jdsk]

Surely it’s the same if I maintain the same heart rate for both?

The psychological differences are mentioned several times upthread...

A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad tires in a mile - a

Shirley

[Benz3ne]

I personally prefer uphill versus wind. I can see where I’m going and where’s going to be tougher where a good gale makes an otherwise known route a difficulty.

Seconding myself with this morning's cycle. Longest it's taken me in a good while to commute to work.
Almost certainly because of the headwind.

[CliveyT]

Just remembering last Monday's storm (whichever one it was). At least hills don't try to throw you off sideways.
I didn't come off but riding through the crosswind was even slower than facing it head on

[Blondie]

Surely it’s the same if I maintain the same heart rate for both?

The psychological differences are mentioned several times upthread...

A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad tires in a mile - a

Shirley

The OP talks about effort not how does it feel? If we venture in how it feels then it becomes very subjective with no single right answer.