Sure, we can all jump on Smart Trainers as soon as it gets less cosy. But autumn also beckons with its colourful trees, golden glow, morning mist and more. What a shame it would be to miss out on all that.
1. onion principle
Temperatures can change quickly in autumn. When the sun shines, the thermometer quickly climbs into double figures. As soon as the sun is gone, either because the path leads into the forest or the sun approaches the horizon early, it gets cold. The good old onion principle helps you stay warm. Baselayers, jerseys, wind waistcoats or wind jackets belong in your autumn wardrobe and can be supplemented with arm warmers, leg warmers as an alternative to long-sleeved jerseys and long trousers.
2. storage space on bike and person
Unnecessary clothing can either be stored in the jersey pocket or you can use a frame bag or a small saddle bag for additional layers of clothing. A little tip from me as a bikepacking specialist: I always have an elasticated shoelace on my handlebars, so I can safely stow snacks, a waistcoat, jacket or something else and don't have to rummage around in a bag. Especially when the weather is very changeable and you're constantly switching between a jacket and no jacket, it saves time and nerves.
3. light and reflectors
It gets light late and dark early. This makes it all the more important to have good lighting on your bike in order to recognise potential danger spots in good time. But also to be seen by other road users. Reflectors should also be fitted to clothing and bicycles. Bright colours also increase visibility. Further tips on seeing and being seen can be found here.
4. tyre choice
It can make sense to switch to wider tyres. They offer more grip on wet or slippery roads and more comfort on uneven paths. For example, my commute is currently littered with beechnuts. When I ride over the small shells and fruit of the copper beech with narrow road bike tyres, it's quite bumpy, but it's more comfortable on a gravel bike. Unevenness can also be hidden by foliage and suddenly you're surprised at the bump. Here too, wider tyres can increase comfort and reduce the negative surprise effect.
5. watch out for leaves!
Fallen leaves should be treated with caution. Firstly, the leaves themselves are slippery and secondly, they can conceal potential hazards. For this reason, you should not drive at full speed into a section of road covered in leaves, and particular care should be taken on bends and when braking.
6. rain cover
Changeable weather is also to be expected in autumn. In summer temperatures, it's no big deal to unexpectedly get caught in a rain shower. It's a different story later in the year or when temperatures are cooler. The body cools down quickly. If a flat tyre is added to the mix, you will soon be chilled to the bone. A rain jacket protects your upper body, while short rain trousers keep moisture and wind away from your thighs without being too warm. Game changers are also the Win Wings from Assaver, which are mounted on the seat stays in seconds and keeps your backside clean and dry. This also has the advantage that the cycling clothing is protected and the road dirt does not rub against the cycling clothing like sandpaper.
7. do not forget to drink
Yes, it's cooler. It's easy to forget to drink. A timer in your sat nav can help you remember this. There are also insulated bike drinking bottles that keep the drink warmer. This is less unpleasant than having to drink an ice-cold liquid and takes less effort. In addition, the body needs more energy to maintain its own temperature when it is cold. So it is advisable to pack an extra snack or two.
8. additional security
This tip actually applies all year round, but is particularly relevant when it is cold and an accident can lead to hypothermia. Tell someone about your planned route and approximate return time. This is even easier with the latest bike navigation systems in combination with your smartphone. Various Garmin devices, for example, allow you to set an accident notification, while every activity can be automatically shared with a safety contact. As long as the sat nav is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth and the smartphone has reception, the location and route can be shared. If you are only travelling with your smartphone, you can also share your location via various messenger services.
All that remains for us to say is: Have fun cycling :-)
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
