We Love Autumn Cycling

It’s already September! This year has flown by, and the season of chillier temperatures and pumpkin spice lattes (hey, love them or hate them) is almost here. Isn’t there something magical about this time of year — especially for cyclists?

Photo by Aaron Burden (via Unsplash)

Why is cycling in autumn so special? Well, some folks can ride year round with no major temperature changes, but others see a bit of an overhaul as the year treks on. Weather, scenery, and even motivation to get out on the bike can shift as the seasons do.

Are you ready to keep your cycling life going even as the weather gets colder? And would you like to take full advantage of everything that’s great about riding your bike in the fall season? In this article, we’re going to chat about everything that’s great about cycling during the autumnal months. Just be sure to bring your jacket!

Our Favorite Part of Fall: Temperature

As you may have guessed from this article, I have an extra special love for autumn weather. And so do tons of other cyclists! While the rest of the world is lamenting the end of lazy days at the beach, we’re gearing up their bikes for extra rides. In fact, those weeks from September to early November might just be the perfect season for getting in some long miles — if you plan it right. Why is this?

Of course, there’s one BIG reason autumn is so great for bikes: weather. In most climates, autumn is the Goldilocks-zone of temperatures. Not too hot, not too cold, juuuuust right. The cooler air makes all those climbs you’d like to tackle feel a little less daunting, doesn’t it?

The temp isn’t everything — the humidity drops as well. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. At high levels, it can make cycling more uncomfortable, make you feel dehydrated, and affect your max effort on the bike. A lower humidity means you’re not swimming in sweat five minutes into your ride!

For folks closest to the equator, the sweaty heat is the biggest impediment of all to a nice summer ride. Thankfully, once fall hits, it’s no longer as much of a problem.

For many parts of the world, we can also say goodbye to summer rainstorms once fall hits. While there might be the occasional rainy day, many regions enjoy stretches of dry, stable weather that’s perfect for long rides.

Make sure to dress just right for your autumn rides.

Cycling in the autumn often calls for a bit of wardrobe wizardry. The chillier weather will often be uncomfortable when you first set off on your bike. However, as exertion warms your body, you’ll quickly transition to feeling too hot in a heavy jacket. How can you dress properly for this situation? The key is layering, layering, and more layering!

You’ve probably heard of dressing in layers for hiking or other outdoor activities. The concept is really similar for cycling, too! You can start out with a moisture-wicking base layer. Try adding a light thermal jersey on top of that to remove once you warm up. If you have one, it can be a good idea to top off with a packable wind jacket.

Arm and leg warmers are a popular choice for fall cyclists as well. They’re really easy to peel off if you warm up.

Read more: Best arm warmers 2024 reviewed: Buyer’s guide (Cyclist magazine)

A Backdrop of Falling Leaves

Cruising on your favorite cycling road or trail during the autumn can be more of a treat for the eyes than any other season. That’s because of all the changing leaves! Autumn transforms the landscapes of even the most familiar routes with beautiful colors. You may want to stop and snap photos every few minutes during the peak of the leaves season.

US-based folks! Do you want to find out when the fall leaves will be at their peak in your region? I love using ExploreFall.com’s interactive foliage map to learn when the most beautiful times to ride will be. Then, I can plan my longest rides and choose my routes based on where I can see the most beautiful autumnal landscapes.

Unfortunately for cyclists, a lot of pedestrains have the same idea. Always be careful of pedestrians on mixed use trails in autumn. The cooler weather I mentioned above means there are also often more walkers and runners out in fall. Just remember to be considerate of newcomers to your favorite bike paths or trails, and we can all enjoy the season together!

Photo by Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)

Pro Racing: The Peloton’s Autumn Race Schedule

It’s not just recreational riders like you and me who love autumn. The world of pro cycling comes alive in September and October for one last group of end-of-season classics before the winter off-season starts in earnest.

The Vuelta a España transitions us to the fall racing season in style. If you watched this year’s Spanish Grand Tour, you may have noticed some of the changing scenery along the route during the final week. After that, a number of punchy one-day races in Belgium and Italy will show us all that European autumn has to offer. Not to mention the World Championships are just around the corner! Here’s a short list of some men’s races to catch as the weather turns and the pro racing season comes to a close:

• Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal: September 15, 2024
• European Championships Road Race: September 15, 2024
• Grand Prix de Wallonie: September 18th, 2024
• Tour de Luxembourg: September 18th-22nd, 2024
• World Championships ME ITT: September 22nd, 2024
• World Championships ME ITT: September 29th, 2024
• Cro Race: October 1st-6th, 2024
• Binche-Chimay-Binche: October 1st, 2024
• Giro dell’Emilia: October 5th, 2024
• Tre Valli Varesine: October 8th, 2024
• Gran Piemonte: October 10th, 2024
• Il Lombardia: October 12th, 2024 Chrono des Nations (ITT): October 13th, 2024

Read more: 8 Late-Season Races to Cure Your Post-Tour de France Blues

Il Lombardia: The Race of the Falling Leaves

Il Lombardia, also called the Giro di Lombardy, is the pinnacle of autumnal pro races. The Italian classic is often called “The Race of the Falling Leaves,” and it is a true love letter to autumn cycling. It winds through the stunning landscapes of the Lombardy region of Italy, making a challenging one-day race that closes out the pro cycling season.

This year’s edition features a route that kicks off near Como, a picturesque city for viewers on site or watching at home. Riders will face the iconic Ghisallo climb before descending to ride alongside Lake Como’s shores. Later, after entering the Bergamo province, the real test begins with a relentless series of ascents and descents. There will be multiple challenging climbs featured in the route, including Roncola, Berbenno, Dossena, Zambla Alta, and Passo di Ganda, with a staggering 4400 m total elevation gain. Fans can look forward to the renowned Selvino descent with its numerous hairpin turns. The finale brings riders into Bergamo, with a brief flat section before the city and steep climb through the historic upper town. A short cobblestone stretch is present towards the end of the route, and the last kilometer includes a steep gradient section.

Contenders in Lombardy include superstars Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel.

The challenging course will no doubt give “Pogi” something to chew on. The winner of the 2023 edition will face his Tour de France GC rival Remco Evenepoel, as well as his countryman Primož Roglič. The other main contenders include David Gaudu and Felix Gall, with more of cycling’s strongest and most competitive riders to be added when the start list is finalized.

Want to stream Il Lombardia this year? Keep an eye out for our streaming guide for the 2024 edition, which will be held on October 12th.

Gravel cycling comes alive in autumn.

Another highlight of the fall cycling season comes shortly after Il Lombardia with the 2024 Gravel World Championships on October 6th. This year, the championships will be held in Belgium, near the city of Brussels. The route traverses the recently designated Brabantse Wouden National Park, offering riders a diverse and challenging course with ancient trees lining the pathside and distinctive sunken lanes carved into the landscape. The route begins in the city of Halle and concludes in Leuven. Last year’s title holder Matej Mohorič will return to defend his rainbow jersey, and this year he will be joined by big names like Mathieu van der Poel, who recently announced that he will contest the race.

Have you tried gravel riding on your own bike? It combines the high speed of road cycling with the adventure of mountain biking, and it’s all about exploring unpaved roads, forest trails, and rural byways. Autumn is the perfect season for gravel adventures!

Want to give it a try? Start by researching local trails – many regions have dedicated gravel routes or rail trails that are perfect for all the off-road riding your heart desires. Look for routes that will showcase the autumn colors, perhaps winding through forests or along scenic ridges. Don’t shy away from elevation — climbs offer spectacular views of autumn landscapes.

Before you set out, be sure to check trail conditions and pack accordingly. It is also important to make sure your bike is up to the task. A “gravel bike” isn’t necessary for gravel riding, but you may consider switching to wider tires as your fork allows. Then, you’ll be ready to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature!

Read more: The Basics of Gravel Riding (Adventure Cycling Association)

Gearing Up for Winter Riding

I hope I’ve convinced you that cycling during the autumnal months is amazing — but these days are also a reminder that the nice weather for cycling is coming to an end for the year in most places. Soon, all my favorite routes will be covered in snow, and yours may be too! As the autumn days grow shorter, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your winter riding and training strategy.

Having a plan in place for winter training is important. Maybe you’re the hardy type who’ll brave snow and ice with studded tires and a thermal kit that would put Mount Everest hikers to shame. Maybe you’re eyeing up indoor training options like Zwift instead, so you can keep your fitness up without facing the elements.

Either way, you don’t want to give up on riding altogether during the winter months. Your fitness will take a hit and it will be much more difficult to start back up once spring temperatures arrive next year.

Autumn is the ideal time for testing out some winter gear on your chilly morning rides or setting up your “pain cave” for indoor sessions. Remember, a little preparation now will mean you can keep your pedals turning all winter long!

Photo by Robert Ruggiero (via Unsplash)

Here’s a quick and easy checklist for ideas to prepare your winter riding strategy:

• Invest in better kit for cold weather riding. You can ride longer into the cold season if you have jackets, gilets and windbreakers you can use on the bike.
• Winter-proof your bike. This is the perfect time of year for a tune-up whether you will be riding regularly or not during the winter months! If you’re planning to go out in the cold, look for wider tires or even consider switching to a mountain bike to avoid slipping and falling.
• Scope out safe winter routes. Just because one route is blockaded by ice and snow doesn’t mean they all are! You may be able to find trails in your area that are shoveled or snowplowed. Or, you can take to the off-road trails as the weather allows.
• Shop for an indoor trainer. Having a spin option to use at home doesn’t have to break the bank. Now is a good time to think about whether you want a trainer to use, including a smart trainer for a more dynamic experience.
• Look at Zwift and other competitors to liven up the trainer life. Let’s face it: getting on the trainer can be boring. You might want to see if these online tools help make spinning more fun for you!

Enjoy the Autumn Rides!

As we roll towards the end of the cycling season for the pros and many of the amateurs out there, let’s not forget how wonderful it is to enjoy the autumn weather by bike. There’s no need to call it quits early! So what are you waiting for? Let’s pump up those tires one more time, get our layers on, and hit the road or trail. Whether you’re crunching leaves or gravel under your wheels, climbing up the road to that perfect vista of fall colors, or simply enjoying the cooler air on your everyday rides, the autumn has something nice in store for all of us. Happy riding!

Do you like to ride your bike in the autumn? Let us know your best tips for making the most of the cooler weather in the comments! ★