Dutch ‘headwind cycle race’ scrapped

[Coss]

The hardy athletes of the annual Dutch “headwind cycle championships” race have finally met their match, as organisers said Storm Ciaran’s gale-force winds was too much even for their pedal power.

Every year, competitors battle against head-on gusts over the 8.5-kilometre (5.3-mile) Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier in the western Netherlands, riding old-fashioned bikes with no gears and back-pedal brakes.

The championships only take place if the wind registers more than a moderate gale seven on the Beaufort Scale (up to 61 kilometres per hour).

But Storm Ciaran’s winds have proved a different prospect altogether as it lashes northern Europe with winds registered near 200 kilometres per hour in France.

“Unfortunately the wind has become so strong as the day has gone on that we cannot start. The safety of everyone is the main priority,” organisers said in a statement.

“We made this decision with pain in our hearts.”...

https://7enews.net/en/sports-en/dutch-headwind-cycle-race-scrapped-wind-too-strong/