The Joy Of Autumn

Blog Date - 21 October 2013

It's that time of year again dear reader...Autumn. 

First off we're already starting to get the leaves falling off the trees. These leaves fall on our personal race track (aka the public highways) and causes a distinct lack of traction between our tyres and the council's tarmac. This leads directly to sphincter clenching moments as you throw yourself into your favourite bend then realise your'e going 12 mph faster than you really ought to be. If you are (incredibly) lucky you can pick a line through the curve in the tracks of car tyres where the leaves have hopefully been crushed into submission. The other sensible choice is to slow right down and ride like a granny on a Vision Met-In with myopia. We'll spend the next month dodging leaves and slowing down whenever we see a tree. 

The perfect surface for scaring yourself senseless on a chilly morning ride to work.

During this time we should also expect some high winds. Crossing high bridges such as the Thelwall Viaduct or the Erskine Bridge leads to further sphincter exercise when a sudden gust blows us into the next lane and the path of a 44 ton lorry. We'll remember that gaps in terraced housing can cause you to ride European style into oncoming traffic. Of course when the winds have passed and you return to your leaf strewn countryside playground there will be an extra layer of obstacles on the road such as twigs, branches or even a whole tree. Town centre roads will be more fun as you dodge shopping bags, sheets of plastic off building sites and crisp packets. 

Rubbish, just to help thicken up the leaf litter.

Autumn can bring good days too. The sun may shine and we'll relish the last of the warmth. This will be followed by a clear evening with pretty stars in the night skies and a temperature that drops quicker than a footballer looking for a foul. Being warm you set out with minimal bike gear but the barbie was great and you've left it till midnight before you set off home. You soon become an expert in the effects of hypothermia on concentration. Your fingers burn while you dodge leaves, rubbish, icy puddles and drunk drivers using mobile phones. Even when you get home you'll not get warm until lunchtime tomorrow.

Great! Of course after Autumn there's so much more to look forward to. Winter. Ice, snow, salted roads, rust, more hypothermia, wearing so many clothes you can't move your arms and flat batteries. The best thing about Winter is that Spring is getting closer.

There must be something good about Autumn? Yeah, yeah there is. Travelling through a forest on that day when the leaves are golden, but still on the trees. Quieter countryside roads. Weeding out the fairweather riders. Feeling smug and snug when you remembered to take the extra warm gear when no-one else does. Taking on the challenge of re-learning how to ride on cold tyres on cold wet roads (ie - carefully). Just being on the bike no matter the weather.

The trees can look pretty in thier autumnal colours.

Let me make one thing clear. I do much much prefer a warm, dry, clear day to ride my bike. But...but I do like the challenge the British weather brings to us every year. To take on the cold, the rain and the wind and survive, and if I get it right I might even thrive. I don't mind Autumn and Winter. I just wish they didn't have to last so bleeding long. I reckon one month of Autumn and one month of Winter is enough. Shame we get 6 months of each...

Reader's Comments

Post Your Comment Posts/Links Rules