JENNIFRB:
I live in New brunswick Canada, where we are usually getting winds of various speeds. I am also in farm country, and the wind really gusts accross the hay/grain fields. Sometimes making riding, quite a challenge.
I live in the country, and ride to the city, for 45 minutes through a major throughway, which connects several smaller communities. At times this highway is quite congested, and leaves little room for driver error.
Last week I was caught in gusts of 50m/h , and it was all I could do to stay in my lane, and keep between rush hour traffic. This is WITH a windshield. Without one could have been deadly. A driver can become exausted quite rapidly under these conditions, screwing up your fine and gross motor skills, delaying your counter reaction to any problem.
I opted to pull into the first back road i recognized, and take the long way home, free of heavy traffic. It was an extra 15 miles, but well worth it.
Glad I had the option of the back roads.

cheers
Michael