cycling and wind

How is it that you can cycle west into gusts of wind off the river, rest on a bench for a mere five minutes and turn around to head back, only now the wind is gusting EAST off the river?
I'm not suggesting wind has a soul (whatever that is) or consciousness (whatever that is), but oh, you bet, it's got intent and purpose.

Here's a lovely quiet day in June, before all the greenery went wild. One of the views along the river that keeps me cycling.