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The ultimate fall cycling bucket list

How many can you check off your cycling buck list this autumn

Fall is just about here and it’s certainly a beautiful season for riding. Cooler and wetter weather may mean you need to bundle up a bit better before heading out but it’s a season you really should take advantage of. To help you do just that we are bringing you the ultimate autumn riding buck list. See how many of these you can check off in the next couple of months.

RELATED: 10 reasons why fall riding is awesome and you should be doing more of it

1. Eat sweet fall treats mid-ride

Stop to enjoy freshly baked pies, crumbles, cookies, squares and other fall treats to fuel your ride this fall. Apples and pears are also in season if you want natural sweetness to give you that boost during your ride.

2. Escape on a day trip in the country

Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo credit: Transylvania Tourism/visitwaterfalls.com

Fall is best enjoyed away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pick a spot a couple of hours drive from where you live, map out a route and go for a memorable ride. Make a stop at a local market to pick up some mid-ride fuel while you explore some new trails or roads.

RELATED: How to map out a great cycling route

3. Enjoy a crisp morning ride

Mid-summer it’s easy to get up in the morning to go for a ride. The sun rises early and the air is warm. Come fall it’s a little more difficult as the sun comes up a later and the air is cold. With the leaves changing colour, a sunny morning can provide amazing conditions to ride in so lay out your gear the night before and get out to enjoy a beautiful crisp fall morning this fall. You might catch a beautiful sunrise and it’s get you ready for your day ahead.

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4. Have a post-ride fall brew

Turas Mór
Photo: Marc Landry

When fall rolls around, all of a sudden delicious pumpkin beers, stouts and fall-themed amber ales hit the shelves. After a good ride, you deserve to pop the cap off of one of these babies.

5. Do a cyclocross race

While there won’t be any sunbathers in your local parks during the fall, cyclocross courses likely pop up throughout your province on weekends. With fun atmospheres, intense racing through mud and sand, these races warm up any cool autumn day.

RELATED: 6 reasons why you should try a cyclocross race this year

6. Dress up in a costume for a Halloween ride

Sandra Walter
Sandra Walter (Liv Canada) of Coquitlam. B.C. Photo: Peter Whalen

While some people may think your lycra kit looks like a costume, you and your riding friends know the difference. Come the festive season of Halloween, do a ride dressed up with your gang or go to a cross race dressed up in the most creative costume you can come out with. Even if you aren’t the fastest, cyclists know what really matters is how good you look. Don’t forgot to dress your bike up too.

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7. Roll over leaves on fat rubber

Hit some single track this autumn to best enjoy the foliage. As the leaves begin to change colour then fall to the ground, head out onto trails to make the most of the changing of the seasons. Wet leaves will not only challenge your bike handling skills as they make your familiar routes a little more technical, but they are beautiful and so satisfying to roll over. The fresh smell of the forest and the cool breeze in your hair, what could possibly be better?

9. Finally buy yourself that cyclocross or gravel bike you’ve been eyeing

Inevitably, the road season slowly comes to it’s end during the fall season. It’s time to get yourself a bike you can throw fenders on and do some exploring with on the weekends. You might also need something to race at your local cyclocross events. We know you have something in mind and this fall it’s a treat you deserve.

10. Cook seasonal meals

Homemade Autumn Butternut Squash Soup with Bread

A warm harvest soup, fresh baked goods or roasted vegetables after a good fall ride can be so satisfying. Take advantage of all the fresh ingredients available and cook up some tasty fall meals.

RELATED: Leah Kirchmann’s butternut squash soup recipe

11. Learn a new skill

Aaron Schooler

Can’t bunny hop a log? Have trouble riding through sand? Do you always loose a lot of speed on technical corners? Autumn is a great time to practice skills you don’t have time for when your riding is all about intervals and dialing in the form for your next big race.

RELATED: Cyclocross technique: How to corner in the sand

12. Splurge on waterproof and cold weather gear

Castelli Perfetto

The right apparel is necessary to enjoy riding when it’s cold and damp. Good gear is so worth the investment  because you can extend your season by weeks or even months with the right equipment.

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13. Introduce someone to cycling

group ride etiquette
Creating memories and friendships, one pedal stroke at a time

Maybe you have a friend, a colleague or an acquaintance who has shown interest in the sport but the rest of the year you are more interested in doing rides beyond their skill level. Make time for them this fall and go on some nice rides to help them gain confidence. It’ll be rewarding and fun.

14. Make more of your trips by bicycle

Try incorporating riding into other parts of your life this autumn. It’s nice to hop on your bike to run some errands or bike to work a couple of times per week. Your bike can help you avoid the germs of public transportation and the road traffic. The cooler temperatures also mean you won’t arrive as sweaty to your destination as you might during the hot summer months.

15. Stop into your favourite cafe or tea shop for a well-deserved warm beverage

coffee

You may already make a habit of stopping by your favourite coffee shop after a nice ride. Don’t let the chill in the air stop you from sitting outside on a sunny day, enjoying the fresh air and rewarding yourself with a nice warm drink mid or post-ride.