I pay attention to the wind when selecting a route. I look at clouds, flags, branches, leaves, smoke from chimneys and blowing debris. Given the choice, it's preferable to head outbound into the wind so you get a boost when you're more tired and can get home a little quicker than you got wherever you rode to.It's often the case that winds blow from the west to the east. If you watch western Pennsylvania's weather today, you can guess what ours might be tomorrow.
Want to quantify wind speeds? Back in 1805, Sir Francis Beaufort of the British Royal Navy wanted to standardize notes about wind in ship's log books. So he developed a wind-speed scale based on commonly observable objects.
The Beaufort wind scale is still practical today:
Today's ride started into a moderate breeze. Got home pretty quickly, too!
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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