Dutch cyclists battle headwinds, seeking glory in the gusts

NEELTJE JANS, Netherlands — While much of northern Europe hunkered down Sunday and hoped that Storm Ciara would blow over quickly with its hurricane-force winds, an intrepid band of cyclists made the most of the conditions in the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships.

The ingredients were simple: A basic bicycle with no gears, no featherweight carbon race frame, no drop handlebars, strong legs, steely resolve and wind. Lots of wind.

Yet completing the 5.3-mile course along the coast of Zeeland province in the southern Netherlands and across a storm water barrier as heavy winds blasted riders with sand from nearby beaches was anything but simple, even for experienced riders. Organizers provided vomit buckets.

“I survived, but it’s very tough,” said Hans Deting, 56, his right hand dripping with blood after he was blown off his bike.

Ultimately, the gale-force winds became too strong. Organizers brought the race to an early end after 250 of the 300 riders had finished.

The idea of plowing headfirst into a major storm on a bicycle is surprisingly popular in the Netherlands, where many people commute to work by bike despite wind or rain.

This was, organizers say, as close as you can get in the largely pancake-flat Netherlands to tackling an Alpine stage in a bike race.

With red-and-white wind socks snapping in the wind, riders hunched over their handlebars in a desperate attempt to remain as aerodynamic as possible. Many competitors wore tight Lycra cycling clothes.

Participants, who rode one-by-one against the clock, weren’t too interested in their times. It was simply about completing the event.

“This is a bucket list thing,” said Edwin van Gaalen as he leaned, gasping for breath, on his handlebars after finishing.

Mike Corder is an Associated Press writer.