Autumn accessories: 13 useful items for road and gravel rides

Astronomical autumn lasts from the end of September until just before Christmas. For many road cyclists, it is a particularly appealing time to round off the season. The intense summer heat is over, and they’re often still in good shape after many hours in the saddle. What’s more, the countryside is changing colour, and the low-hanging sunlight accompanies their rides. These are ideal conditions for rounding off the road cycling year with a few relaxed kilometres on a ride and creating memories to last through the winter months.

Autumn does, however, have its less pleasant side. Anyone wanting to cycle further afield must be prepared for single-digit temperatures and drizzle. But not every autumn day is wet and cold. Every now and then, road cyclists get to enjoy an Indian summer or a golden October.

​Our tips: Useful items for autumn

We’ll show you the right kit and clothing for fantastic road cycling tours in autumn. For anyone who doesn’t want to put their road bike away during the cool to cold season, or who hasn’t yet got back on the Roller trainer want to switch.

Wind vest

Second skin: No other item of clothing for road cyclists offers weather protection as flexible and lightweight as a vest. After all, when you need something compact Wind vest If not, they go in your jersey pocket. That’s why they’re perfect for autumn and spring, when temperatures fluctuate widely. The good thing is: your torso stays warm whilst your armpits are exposed. For the winter months, there are also insulated versions; for autumn, wind-stopping models such as the Gore Everyday Vest (99.95 euros >> e.g. available at a reduced price here) or the Endura Pakagilet (49.99 euros >> Available here at a reduced price).

Helmet cap

To keep a cool head: Just like a swimming cap, the same applies to a helmet liner: it may look a bit odd, but it’s incredibly practical. These thin liners keep your head – which is particularly sensitive to the cold – cosy and warm when cold air whistles through your helmet in autumn and winter. Models with windproof inserts are even warmer. We recommend, for example, the cycling helmet liner from Vaude. RRP: €21.95 >> e.g. available from Amazon or Rosebikes Available at a reduced price.

All-weather jersey

Something in between: All-weather jerseys are becoming increasingly popular. They repel rain, whilst a light lining keeps you warm in cool autumn weather. They are cut like cycling jerseys (not like jackets), have a water-repellent finish on the outside, and without a membrane, sweat evaporates relatively quickly. The Castelli Tutto Nano RoS Jersey came out on top in the TOUR comparison test. RRP: €159.95 >> available here.

Winter cycling gloves

Tact: Nothing is worse than cold fingers! Due to the wind and the exposed position on the handlebars of a road bike, your hands are particularly at risk in cool temperatures. The usually painful result: numb fingers. However, there’s no need to reach for thick winter gloves just yet in autumn. All you need is long road cycling gloves or lightly insulated models such as the GripGrab Ride Windproof Midseason gloves. RRP: 44 euros >> e.g. Available here at a reduced price.

Long cycling trousers

Endura’s Windchill Bibtights are designed to combat icy headwinds on winter training rides. They feature a windproof front panel. The back of the legs is insulated and breathable, allowing warm, moist air to escape quickly. This keeps you warm and dry on your bike and prevents you from getting uncomfortably chilled. Reflectors on the leg cuffs improve visibility in the dark or at dusk. RRP: 159.95 >> e.g. available here at a lower price.

Over-shoes

Toe warmers: During the cold, wet season, frozen toes are the reason why many people cut their road cycling rides short or don’t even get on their bikes in the first place. Lined overshoes, which reliably keep out wind and water, provide a solution. With overshoes, you can usually still manage without special winter shoes in autumn. Some people also use overshoes in winter. For example, the sturdy Gripgrab Ride Waterproof, price: 45 euros >> e.g. Available here at a reduced price.

Performance shirt

Restricted area: When it gets colder outside, functional base layers act as an extra layer of insulation and keep the wearer warm under a road cycling jersey or jacket. As it is mainly the wind chill that causes cyclists to lose body heat, you should opt for windproof clothing as part of your layered outfit. On warmer autumn days, you can, for example, combine jerseys with a long-sleeved windstopper base layer, such as the Craft Active Extreme X Wind. This means you can do without a thick jacket or wind vest. RRP: €89.95 >> e.g. Available here at a reduced price.

Softshell jacket

Master of disguise: Softshell jackets protect road cyclists from the cold and wet in autumn and winter. For years, hardly any other manufacturer has managed to do this as effectively with its products as Gore. Thanks to the Infinium membrane, the sporty Phantom jacket provides reliable protection against wind and water and is comfortable to wear. But the highlight is the zips on the sleeves. These allow the jacket to be converted into a vest in just two simple steps. Perfect for autumn, when you might set off in single-digit temperatures and then need to take a layer off in the midday sun. RRP: €199.95 >> e.g. available here at a lower price.

Winter socks

Toe warmers: Merino blend fabric keeps you warm, doesn’t smell and feels comfortable against the skin. With Castelli cycling socks, you can still do without thick winter socks in autumn. RRP: 19.95 euros >> e.g. available here.

Bicycle cleaner

Care unit: In damp conditions, the drivetrain wears out more quickly. Specialised bike cleaners help with Cleaning your road bike and loosen the dirt. Once the dirt has been washed off the bike, it is essential to clean and maintain the chain, for example using a special Chain lubricant for damp conditions. Muc-Off offers a care set for this purpose, which also contains a penetrating oil that you can use to Protecting moving parts on a road bike from corrosion can. RRP: 23.99 euros >> e.g. Currently available at a reduced price here.

Mudguard

Splash guard: Quick-fit mudguards for road bikes They fit in a jiffy, are compatible with almost any road bike model and reliably protect your bottom, legs and face from spray. What’s more, the SKS Raceblade Pro set weighs less than 400 grams. It is suitable for tyres up to 25 millimetres wide. RRP: 39.99 euros >> e.g. cheaper here at the moment.

Roller trainer

​On the reel: The Tacx Neo 2T Smart T2875 roller trainer from Garmin offers a realistic indoor training experience with features such as Road Feel and dynamic inertia. The roller trainer supports various training apps and is compatible with most rear axles. It operates quietly, making it suitable for rented flats. The motor has been designed to be more powerful to allow for higher resistance levels. Calibration before training is not required. The roller trainer offers improved pedalling analysis. RRP: 1,299 euros >> e.g. Available here at a reduced price.

Bicycle light

Light source: In autumn, even on short evening rides, it gets dark quickly. With a compact, rechargeable light fitted to your road bike, you can still get home safely. The Sigma Aura 100 headlight and the Sigma Blaze rear light have five modes and plenty of brightness, as our test in TOUR 10/22 showed. The Sigma lighting set achieved top marks in that test. The test verdict: a front and rear light set with an informative and accurate battery indicator. Both lights can be operated in tandem, and the rear light features a brake light function. RRP: 116.95 euros >> e.g. available here at a lower price.