Slow Rides
Coast gravel and a headwind lesson
CoastJune 14, 2026 · 4 min

Coast gravel and a headwind lesson

Check the wind before choosing direction. I knew this. I did not do it.

Check the wind before choosing direction on a coastal route. I knew this. I did not do it.

Out along the dunes was lovely: tailwind, 30 km/h without trying, the sea on the left. The way back was two hours of 15 km/h into a steady westerly.

The fish shack at the harbour turnaround made up for some of it. Next time: start into the wind, finish with it.

T
Written by
Tom Keller

I'm Tom. I work a desk job and spend weekends on a steel gravel bike, usually 60–120 km and usually slower than I planned. These are the routes worth repeating.

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