Are you the sort of cyclist who finds themselves lamenting the end of summer, and with it the sorrowful departure of pleasurable cycling? September may mark the calendar’s beginning of autumn, but that is no reason to descend into a mire of misery. Yes, the temperatures are likely to tumble in the coming weeks, but after the damp and windy summer we’ve had, we won’t have too much to complain about. There is a lot to be said for autumn being the best season for cycling, and here’s why:
The pressure’s off
Summer is the season during which we all go hell for leather to achieve the season’s goals at sportive events, on Alpine climbs, or on the local club 10. Autumn bridges the gap between the warm and performance-driven summer and the long and sometimes tedious winter. The carbon race bike is put away for its hibernation, the stoic winter bike shakes off its cobwebs, and it’s time to enjoy the thrill of fresh air, misty breath and plenty of long, guilt-free café rides. Check out a few of our more robust bikes which would be a perfect addition to any discerning cyclist’s stable.
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Achieve ‘epic’ status
By its nature, autumn comes with even less clement weather; lower temperatures and a far greater risk of precipitation. However, as any number of pro cyclists – and Billy Connolly – will tell you: “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.†Get yourself set up with quality kit, including a thermal jacket, arm and leg warmers, and you’ll be more than prepared for any number of ‘epic’ rides with a good group. And you might be pleasantly surprised – we may yet get some lovely warm days, an unexpected bonus before winter.
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Dabbling in other disciplines
The Vuelta a España has barely taken its final bow in Madrid and the World Championships are just around the corner, so there’s no hiding from the fact that the road season is coming to a close. With mud and rain threatening to grip the road cycling scene, why not embrace it completely by tackling mountain biking or cyclocross, two disciplines which positively turn up their noses at cleanliness. Cyclocross is a sport which has enjoyed a rapid ascendance in popularity all over the world. Raced on modified road bikes over a mix of terrains over the autumn and winter months, it is thrilling to ride and a joy to watch. What’s more, we’ve got some great deals in our sale. Have a look:
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Plan next season’s goals
The chances are, you’ve either already achieved, or run out of opportunities to fulfil your season’s objectives. But never fear: as explained above, the pressure is finally off. It’s time to sit up, put away the spreadsheets, and simply enjoy getting out with mates. Between these autumnal and winter rides, now’s a great time to turn our attention to 2018. With summer barely over, there’s plenty of time to mull over your options, book trips away and prospect new racing bikes while reflecting on the year just gone. One thing that might be worth your while, particularly if you feel you’ve underperformed, is to book a professional bike fit. We use Trek Precision Fit, a comprehensive process which involves a conversation over your individual objectives, an assessment of your flexibility and an evaluation of your riding style. At the close of one season and with many months to get used to a new position, there is no better time than now.
