Turn your back into a sail!

A strong wind is lots of fun when it's coming directly from behind. Most roadies have learned to make the most of it by sitting high with hands on the bar tops, exposing their back to the gale.

Here's a way to get max benefit from wind that's coming from a rear quarter, more of a crosswind than a tailwind. Try it when you're riding solo.

Let's say the wind is blowing from the left. The trick is to angle your back so a larger amount of its surface catches those high-velocity air molecules.

Do it by moving your left hand to the drop and your right hand to the brake lever hood. This position twists you slightly so your back faces more to the left.

Reverse the position for a right-side crosswind.

The helping hand isn't as great as when, say, drafting another rider. But it'll get you down the road a bit faster or with less energy.