So I'm riding home tonight on the highway and started feeling really uncomfortable. It's a pretty cold/windy night and I felt like there was a wobble in my front wheel. Being in Jersey I recently just started riding a bit more again since the weather has been getting better but haven't had this shake before. I'm wondering if a windy night can cause my bike to to wobble or if this may have happened because of the tires? I've read that having a bike sitting for a while can cause a flat spot (I kept in the garage with a race stand holding the rear up over the winter). I rode the bike here and there throughout the winter so it wasn't sitting in one spot the whole time. Anyone have any experience with what a flat spot feels like while riding? Any other ideas of what may cause that?

 

Upon inspection the tires seem to be ok, it's just the wind blowing me around on the highway. How does everyone else deal with wind gusts or steady winds? Any tricks to keeping the bike steady and in place within the lane?

 

side winds will do that

 

I'd say just deal with it
not much you can do about it

 

If there's no mechanical issue then you're causing the wobble. Gripping the bars too tight and fighting the bike's natural self correcting nature.

Best way to deal with wind I've found is not to fight it. I just try to maintain my lane / a safe distance from other obects. If tou try to fight it, keeping your exact position in the lane you're going to lose. If you try to predict the gusts, most times you're gonna fail. Best you can do is stay loose on the bars and correct you course as smoothly as possible

 

Thanks for the tips, I've been trying to stay loose and I guess it will just take some more getting used to. It's a scary feeling when that gust catches you out of no where. Hopefully the wind will start dying out some too.

 

Keeping your knees tight against the tank will allow you to keep your hands loose on the bars. The harder you are on the bars the worse it can get. Give yourself space to your left and right in case wind pushes you a little harder than you expected. Remember only get on your bike if you feel comfortable. If it doesn't feel right maybe just wait for another day.

 

I've been riding about a year and I've never really felt wind this bad before. I'm not sure if I'm just on edge after not riding much over the winter. I've been riding the slow lane the last couple days and it does get more and more tolerable. I'll make sure to stay loose on the bars and I'm sure I'll get used to it. No better way to learn than by doing.

 

It freaked me out the first few times I rode in heavy winds. You'll get used to it. Like everyone said, don't fight it.

 

When gets real bad here in the valley, I tuck down and wrap myself around the tank. I find I cause 80% of the resistance. The bike cuts right through it then I become part of the bike.