Altamont Pass winds
My gf and I took a trip over Labor day from SF to Kings Canyon. We were on separate bikes and on the way back Monday we hit significant winds on I-580 near Tracy and through the Altamont Pass. As we left I-5 on I-580 Westbound, we were riding at 75-80 mph along with traffic when we suddenly hit the crosswinds from the west. My bike was loaded down with gear and it really felt like I was going to get pushed off the road at those speeds. I was leaning hard to the left to try to compensate. We ended up slowing down significantly, but since the sun was setting, we pressed on to try to get home before dark. It was slightly easier as I-580 turns more directly west into the pass and into headwinds, but still somewhat daunting.
What's interesting is that I checked the wind conditions later to see what we had experienced and WillyWeather had reported wind speeds no higher than 17mph in and around the pass during that time. I've ridden the GGB in wind speeds of 30mph or more - granted, at lower riding speeds but still that seemed like nothing compared to what we experienced on this trip.
Anyone have similar experiences and how do you cope? Are their preferred alternate routes to take into and out of the central valley?
My gf and I took a trip over Labor day from SF to Kings Canyon. We were on separate bikes and on the way back Monday we hit significant winds on I-580 near Tracy and through the Altamont Pass. As we left I-5 on I-580 Westbound, we were riding at 75-80 mph along with traffic when we suddenly hit the crosswinds from the west. My bike was loaded down with gear and it really felt like I was going to get pushed off the road at those speeds. I was leaning hard to the left to try to compensate. We ended up slowing down significantly, but since the sun was setting, we pressed on to try to get home before dark. It was slightly easier as I-580 turns more directly west into the pass and into headwinds, but still somewhat daunting.
What's interesting is that I checked the wind conditions later to see what we had experienced and WillyWeather had reported wind speeds no higher than 17mph in and around the pass during that time. I've ridden the GGB in wind speeds of 30mph or more - granted, at lower riding speeds but still that seemed like nothing compared to what we experienced on this trip.
Anyone have similar experiences and how do you cope? Are their preferred alternate routes to take into and out of the central valley?
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