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I live next to a skyscraper (about 100m tall/330 feet - just barely meets the definition of skyscraper) that channels the wind past itself through this narrow c

I live next to a skyscraper (about 100m tall/330 feet - just barely meets the definition of skyscraper) that channels the wind past itself through this narrow chokepoint. Anyone who rides their bike through the area during even moderate winds is blown off, and when heavy winds pick up the place is truly awesome. I've gone there, covered in poofy jackets so I bounce when I land, and just let myself get blown away. It's tremendously fun. There's a large concrete gap where buses/trams go, maybe the width of a road (maybe 24 feet?) and the wind has picked me up on one side and set me down on another. (Occasionally requires jumping in the air first.) But if I want to get back home? I've got to wait hours, or walk in a large detour around the building.

scrollaway 9y ago
Care to share where that is? (Asking for a friend.)
- owenversteeg 9y ago
  Hahahaha I'd rather not share my exact location publicly on HN as I live quite close to the building. But if anyone would like to know, my email is in my profile, and I'll be happy to explain how to get to the building with public transit, other things to do in the area, and how to get inside it if you'd like. (The building is in the Netherlands.) If you (or anyone else) wants to try this for yourself, simply find a place where wind is channeled through a small-ish opening. Small in this context just means "smaller than the walls around it" so even a house-sized opening can work. Searching Twitter/Google for complaints about wind or getting knocked down by the wind can help.
- cr1895 9y ago
  I don't know the other person, but I studied at TUD which has a similar sounding phenomenon (can't be too uncommon in the NL; it's windy and flat). There's a tall, flat and narrow building around which wind can really rip. I've experienced it personally and it can be quite something during bad weather. Here's google streetview (you can even zoom into the high wind warning sign): https://www.google.nl/maps/@51.9991655,4.37303,3a,75y,43.4h,97.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smmf6LrEjrK2J-_GcJ44Mmg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1 https://www.google.nl/maps/@51.9991655,4.37303,3a,75y,43.4h,... Here are a couple videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6QtxJNhiog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6QtxJNhiog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEMUkBELN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEMUkBELN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnF1FFQe8oc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnF1FFQe8oc

scrollaway 9y ago

Care to share where that is? (Asking for a friend.)

owenversteeg 9y ago
Hahahaha I'd rather not share my exact location publicly on HN as I live quite close to the building. But if anyone would like to know, my email is in my profile, and I'll be happy to explain how to get to the building with public transit, other things to do in the area, and how to get inside it if you'd like. (The building is in the Netherlands.) If you (or anyone else) wants to try this for yourself, simply find a place where wind is channeled through a small-ish opening. Small in this context just means "smaller than the walls around it" so even a house-sized opening can work. Searching Twitter/Google for complaints about wind or getting knocked down by the wind can help.
cr1895 9y ago
I don't know the other person, but I studied at TUD which has a similar sounding phenomenon (can't be too uncommon in the NL; it's windy and flat). There's a tall, flat and narrow building around which wind can really rip. I've experienced it personally and it can be quite something during bad weather. Here's google streetview (you can even zoom into the high wind warning sign): https://www.google.nl/maps/@51.9991655,4.37303,3a,75y,43.4h,97.05t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smmf6LrEjrK2J-_GcJ44Mmg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1 https://www.google.nl/maps/@51.9991655,4.37303,3a,75y,43.4h,... Here are a couple videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6QtxJNhiog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6QtxJNhiog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEMUkBELN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuEMUkBELN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnF1FFQe8oc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnF1FFQe8oc