the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships

If you are going to cycle into 80 mph headwinds one would naively imagine that perhaps drop handlebars would be a good idea, so you could get your body flattened down rather that sitting up into the wind like these guys. It almost looks as if they are deliberately making things difficult for themselves to prove a point (the point presumably being that they are slightly mad).

While we are on the subject of cycling and wind, the great Belgian cycling champion Bernard Hinault came up with a nice way of training for stamina and endurance. He would go out onto an exposed windy plain, find a nice strong tailwind, and cycle for many, many kilometres flat out with the wind at his back until he felt he was on the point of collapse. He would then turn around and cycle home, into the headwind the whole way. Of course, he wasn't mad, just bloody determined (and built like a steam train).

Nuts, but they seem to be enjoying the pain.

On the plus side, the return trip should be a breeze. 

fascinating !!!!....every inch of every mile (or klick) lashing your body with misery