The super bowl season of cycling
Fall is officially here! Although the first week of the season was a continuation of the rain we have been getting all summer here in New England the first days of Autumn are upon us at last. Fall is the best time of year for a number of reasons from pumpkin and apple everything, to spooky season, hoodie weather, football, nights around the fire etc. It is also the best time of year to pack on an extra layer or two, put a little extra air in the tires and embrace the beauty of some epic foliage rides.
With daytime temps still flirting with the 70s, but the brutal summer humidity in the rear view, the first few weeks of October offer the best conditions there is to double your miles on some long adventures. Many people take long car rides to enjoy the vibrant colors and beautiful landscapes but there is nothing better than experiencing it on your bike, putting you right in the middle of it when riding along your favorite trail. Many rail trails in New England weave their way through farmlands and watersheds, providing the perfect backdrop as natures paintbrush transcends art into reality before your eyes. Biking through the forest on a chilly fall morning is the form of escapism I’m here for and wearing the appropriate gear goes a long way to help enhance the experience. A thin jacket and a base layer are highly efficient in keeping the cool air from derailing your ride, and a pair of full finger cycling gloves are a must whenever the temp starts with a 4 or 5. If you are going for distance you can remove gear as the day warms up, and have it on hand for that ride back when you’ll want to still be out to watch the sun set behind the crimson and carmine.
Fall riding is also the best time to switch up you pre, post, or mid-ride brew with a drink befitting the season. Making a pit stop at a trail side apple orchard and getting a warm apple cider will bring happiness to your core, or maybe a stop at a vineyard for a drink whose color matches the trees behind you. Keeping true to myself, many post ride pumpkin brews and Oktoberfest’s will be had at the wonderful breweries neighboring so many of our trails, where we will bask in the delight that every fall ride brings. Make sure to have a little bit of storage on the bike so you can bring back some of the treats you’ll encounter on these rides as well, as no one can turn down a cider donut or twelve.
If you haven’t gone a ride yet this year, or in a few years, now is the perfect time to start. Clean off the old bike in the basement or hit up a local bike shop and get an entry level bike, or even just rent one for a day. Everyone can use a little recreation to give themselves a soft reset, and after one ride you might just get drawn in by the thrill cycling provides. Take plenty of pictures and share your favorite fall cycling spots. I can’t wait to go on all the fall adventures on some trails I’m familiar with, and exploring some new, and ill detail them all on A Bike And A Brew.
Cheers! And enjoy the ride.
A Bike And A Brew 