Wind, semantics and control

As I was riding from east to west today along my favorite 40-mile route the wind was mostly blowing from west to east. At several moments I did a terrific impression of a bikebound Marcel Marceau, providing the illusion of pedalling while not actually going anywhere. On this planet, wind is a fact of life. When riding in a group there are tactics for minimizing its effect based on how bikes position themselves in a draft. Alone you just accept. There are many phrases: ride into the wind or against the wind or with the wind. Into connotes embrace; against, confrontation; with, partnership. The relationship between rider and wind isn't a dialectic. We don't affect the wind. Only the other way around. Here at cycledork, our meaningless preposition of choice to go with ride and wind is through. Through keeps us separate from it while acknowledging that it surrounds us. Eventually the wind's effect diminishes even if it's after we're off the bike. But by then we've usually made it home and maintained necessary illusions, at least for ourselves.