Create a cycling route with a better chance of a tailwind home

How do you plan for a tailwind on the way home?

1. Open the planner and choose Round trip.
2. Enter your starting point and preferred distance.
3. Enable Wind under Route preferences.
4. Generate four routes and compare direction, distance and expected duration.
5. Check the latest weather forecast shortly before leaving.

What exactly does the wind preference do?

Wind direction describes where the wind comes from. With a westerly wind, the planner therefore tries to send the first part of a round trip further west. The returning section is then more likely to head east.

The option is a preference, not a guarantee. Roads, water, available cycle paths and the shape of the routing network also determine which round trips are possible.

Why ride into the wind at the start?

Wind can change during a ride and often increases or decreases. Even so, starting into the wind can be useful: you still have energy and increase the chance that the return direction is more favourable. Always review current wind speed, gusts and the forecast alongside the route.

Combine Wind and Nature

You can enable Wind and Nature together. The planner then tries to account for both the starting direction and a preference for signposted cycle routes, quiet roads and cycle paths. In areas with few alternatives, one preference may influence the result more strongly.