Autumn is upon us. And while the weather is still looking similar to our old friend summer, it is bound to drop in temperature very soon. Many cyclist grieve the loss of summer; yet, fall bike riding offers the chance to enjoy cooler temperatures, view the changing colors of the leaves, and enjoy the fitness gains achieved over the summer months.
Officially, fall begins September 22 and while we’re only two weeks away from the official fall season, you can see the season transitioning. Days are shorter. The temperatures are cooler. Kids are back in school. And, sadly, vacationing is nearing an end. Now is the time to mark your calendar to get in your favorite rides before winter heads our way.
With that in mind, which Front Range trails should you have on your bucket list? Following are some of our favorites.
- Buffalo Creek
- Centennial Cone
- White Ranch
- Mount Falcon
- Lair O’ the Bear
- Green Mountain
- Apex + trails
- Golden Gate Canyon
- Hall Ranch
- Lake Pueblo
An essential element to successful fall cycling is knowing what to wear. As the seasons transition from summer to fall, the temperatures change, the days are shorter, and the easy “go to clothing” options for riding are replaced with additional items to keep us warm, dry, and safe. Always aiming on the safe side, at Peak Cycles Bicycle shop, we recommend getting a tune-up, having a set of reliable lights and wearing the right bike clothing. Regarding clothing options, following is our list for smoothing transitioning through the season.
Wind Vest – The wind vest is one of the most used pieces of cool weather gear. It keeps your core body protected from frontal winds, but vents in the rear to keep you from overheating. The wind vest is also very versatile and can be added to different clothing combinations, using it with regular jerseys, winter jerseys, and arm warmers. It’s also easily stowed in a pack or shirt pocket.
Wind / Rain Jacket – It’s always a good idea to keep a water resistant jacket handy when rain is in the forecast.
Arm Warmers – Arm warmers are a must during the Fall season. While they don’t take up much room, they are great for temperature control.
Full Finger / Windproof Gloves – When riding in cooler temps, one of the first things to freeze is the fingers. Protect your hands with full fingerers and / or windproof gloves.
Knickers, Knee Warmers, and Pants – As the temperatures drop, it’s a good idea to cover your knees. Many cyclist prefer tights whereas others prefer leg warmers. There are also knickers which allow more airflow over the legs, and they are good for those in-between days. Consider trying out each option and experiment to dial in your preference.
Lights – Within a month, the days will be much shorter! Plan ahead and get your lights ready. Get a red blinker for the rear that mounts to the bike or your pack, and a decent headlight for the front.
Tool kit – The bicycle tools needed to have on hand in inclement weather matter. Discover what the best bike parts for fall commuting and build a tool kit that meets your needs.
Why is all this important? Because having access to resources, tips, and a supportive environment makes it easier to enjoy all the benefits cycling has to offer. It gets you outside – on the bike and riding! As you can see, it’s easy to embrace the transition from summer to fall when you have great rides to look forward to riding. Being mindful of the best clothing options, cycling apparel, bike parts, and nutritional needs during the changing season helps too! Happy Trails to you!
Posted by staffwriter8 
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