How to equip yourself for autumn cycling
In autumn, temperature variations and uncertain weather mean that you need to equip your body and your bike accordingly to prepare for any eventuality, and ride in the best possible conditions. So here's our guide to preparing for your training sessions, adventures or bike rides once the long, hot, sunny days of summer are behind you!
Equip your bike
OPT FOR SEASONAL MAINTENANCE
We advise you to carry out a few basic checks to ensure stress-free use of your machine. You can clean and grease your bike's bearings (headset, wheel hubs) and apply lubricant to your chain. Opt for a wet lubricant and apply it once a week, to prevent any risk of corrosion. Also check the condition of your brake pads and replace them if necessary (if you notice that there's not much lining left, that braking is less responsive than before, or that it's making a lot of noise). With the wet conditions at the end of the year, braking quality takes on even greater importance, and you need to make sure your system is 100% operational!
Do you need peace of mind? You can entrust your bike to us, so that we can carry out this maintenance for you: make an appointment in one of our workshops , and we'll take care of it as if it were our own. We'll take care of it as if it were our own, and you'll be able to get it back in perfect condition for your autumn outings!
CHOSE THE RIGHT TIRES
Wet roads and trails in autumn mean tires that are adapted to these conditions, to ensure sufficient grip and avoid the risk of falling at any moment. From October onwards, frost is common in the mornings and showers sometimes arrive without warning. Riding on tires that are too smooth or with too much pressure can therefore lead to slipping, aquaplaning and be quite dangerous. If you ride mainly on asphalt and have smooth tires, you can invest in notched or grooved tires with a slightly wider section than the tires you used in the summer.
Alternatively, you can keep your usual tires, but be sure to lower the pressure to between 2 and 3 bar (30-40 PSI) compared with the inflation pressure in summer conditions. The same rule applies to trail tires: opt for slightly more comfortable, grippier tires, with softer casings, higher studs and softer rubber.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SPLASHES
Once autumn arrives, temperatures drop and hours of sunshine diminish daily. Rainwater (which is more frequent) evaporates less on roads and paths, so it's a good idea to equip yourself with mudguards to avoid coming home with your clothes completely soiled, or even splashing water on the cyclists riding with you! Mudguards and fenders come in a variety of sizes: slim, lightweight models are ideal for sporting activities, while sturdier models are perfect for everyday use. Be careful, however, when riding in snow or on muddy trails: make sure there's enough space between the tire and your mudguard to prevent too much dirt from accumulating. This could hinder or even block the tire's rolling motion! Models that attach to the seatpost or downtube provide good spacing, and are ideal for meeting this challenge.
The right clothes for autumn cycling
PROTECT YOUR HEAD
Your head is like your on-board computer when you're riding, and it's also a part of your body that's very sensitive to weather conditions. That's why it's so important to protect it properly, so you can ride safely and comfortably! We won't go back over the question of wearing a helmet , which is obviously an essential safety precaution. But to be in the best possible condition, what you put under your helmet will have a big impact on how you feel. The headband is an excellent accessory for covering the forehead and ears without turning the top of your skull into an oven, provided the temperature isn't too cold (around 10 degrees).
For cyclists who ride a road bike, the cap is the ultimate accessory for a vintage look! Thin enough to let your skull breathe, and with its small visor, it will also reduce splashes on your face and glasses. For colder weather, opt for a small beanie with a choker, or a full-face balaclava. When it comes to glasses , choose transparent lenses, or those specifically designed for low-visibility conditions, which are generally clearer than conventional sunglasses.
VENTILATION IS THE KEY
To dress your upper body and legs, you need to make sure you're not exposed to the cold, but it's very important to have breathable clothing. So, to stay warm and dry, layering thin layers is the way to go, because the number 1 enemy of your comfort is your perspiration. If you only have one very thick, poorly-ventilated layer, your body will quickly turn into an oven with your sweat, and you'll be all the more exposed to a cold snap every time you stop, or your effort is less intense. We therefore recommend 2 or 3 layers, depending on the temperature, on your upper body: a base layer (an undershirt) close to the body to regulate your temperature, an intermediate layer (a jersey) to retain heat and wick away moisture, and if the temperature drops below 10 degrees or the rain falls, an outer layer (an insulated or waterproof jacket) to protect you from the cold wind and bad weather. For your legs, choose long, waterproof shorts to protect them from damp or inclement weather.
Below 10 degrees, we recommend wearing 2 layers with long johns under your shorts. On mountain bike trails, or if you don't want to wear shorts close to the body, long pants will be de rigueur, again with the addition of long johns below 10 degrees (some long pants come with an inner layer as standard, so you won't need long johns in this case).
Browse our online store and shop your autumn clothing ;)
DON'T FORGET HANDS AND FEET
Like your head, your feet and hands will be very sensitive to temperature variations. Autumn outings are often marred by cold hands and/or feet, even though the rest of the body is perfectly protected. When autumn arrives, you can equip yourself with insulated, waterproof-breathable gloves , with a water-repellent treatment to protect you from the elements. In colder weather, choose gloves with good insulation. Of course, long fingers are a must below 10 degrees!
Finally, for your feet, choose thick socks and neoprene shoe covers in case of rain or if temperatures drop well below 10 degrees. You can also opt for shoes with an integrated waterproof gaiter and good insulation; models are available for both road and mountain bikes.
Whatever the season, at Bicycles Quilicot you'll find outfits to comfortably enjoy your favorite activities all year long.
For more details, shop online our cycling apparel and accessories ! And to make sure you don't neglect safety on your fall rides, check out our article on the 10 best bike safety accessories .
Happy autumn outings to all!
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