Fall is one of my favorite times of the year—I love the temperatures, the food, the colors. I have so many good memories connected to fall. We grew up raking and burning leaves and it was always a whole family event. My grandparents were always outside and always in the middle of it—if not leading!
Bike rides in the fall are the best—from the cooler temperatures to the beauty of changing leaves here in the midwest, it is a glorious time to be riding. And I particularly love the slow rides, the ones with the whole family in tow where you are taking the time to really drink in all of autumn’s beauty.
This time of year does bring a few new challenges to a bike ride, however.
First of all, the temperatures are cooler and tend to vary a bit more, so it is a great time to layer up. A bike basket or handlebar bag is a perfect accessory for holding extra layers before you need them or after you peel them off.
Secondly, the days are shorter, and while autumn light is magical, it can make it particularly hard for motorists to see cyclists. Careful attention needs to be made to lights, to make sure your front and rear lights are either charged or fitted with fresh batteries, and keep them running, especially in the morning and evening.
Finally, there is the issue of leaves. As beautiful as they are (and as much as I actually like to pedal through them), they can be very slippery and extra caution should be used whenever you are riding over them.
So, let’s be aware of fall’s challenges, but not let them stop us from enjoying it from our bikes!
Celi
