When Is It Too Windy to Ride a Bike? A Cyclist's Guide to Wind Speed, Safety, and Sanity?
Updated August 3, 2025 🚴♂️ Real Stories from the Road How windy is too windy for cycling? In Lubbock, TX — the 3rd windiest city in the U.S. — I’ve pedaled through 30, 40, even 50 mph winds. Here’s what I’ve learned about when to ride, when to skip it, and how to survive the blustery days. Riding Through the Wind: My West Texas Reality I live in West Texas. Lubbock is the third windiest city in the United States, and if I skipped every windy day, I’d never ride. So I’ve learned to adapt — and push through. I’ve cycled in 30, 40, even 50 mph winds. It’s not fun, but when you’re training for a long-distance tour, sometimes you ride anyway. The only time I absolutely won’t ride is when the sky turns that deep, reddish dust haze — common in spring before the fields are planted. That kind of air does more harm than good. 🌬️ Wind Speed Guidelines: When to Ride and When to Bail Here’s a basic breakdown of how different wind speeds feel on a bike: Breezy (10–15 mph): ...
