Autumn transition

It was brilliant yesterday in the warm weather wasn't it?

The biggest trouble I had during an early(ish) ride was the sun. It was so bright and low that I could barely see in places. It made me worry about what drivers would have been seeing driving behind me!

I put my back light on in the end to try to become more visible!

The Met Service's iPhone app includes a 'map' page that has a weather radar on it - have used it to dodge bands of rain when out on ~100k rides, as you can see them coming 30-60 mins out.

Can I pimp the Shutt Performance jacket once more? way too big to pack up, but if it's going to be under 10 degrees and no sun, just the thing down to sub-zero temps.

Autumn is a tricky weather. Cannot decide what to wear, which route to ride on, etc.
But no, I don't hate it.
and yup, never-ever leave without checking the weather forecast for the day!

Nice piece, sums up how I'm feeling right now too.

+1 for Specialized full finger gloves.

BBC weather is totally unreliable where I live in fact it's often completely wrong. The Met Office site is better but my solid gold tip is to check the rain radar at www.raintoday.co.uk before setting out. This site is brilliant for cycling, really accurate and has saved me from more than one soaking.

Can't say I'm with you cold seekers. Sunshine, sweat drying on the skin before it drips, the breeze of movement cooling you and that moment when you stop and feel the full blast of the furnace. Summer, nothing like it. Rising at 4am with the sun, warming with the sky. Brilliant.

Each season holds its own pleasures but I certainly don't enjoy cold hands and feet in the winter (no matter how many layers I wear!).

I love getting layered up on a cold (but not icy) Autumn/Winter day and seeing your breath before you as you ride. Feeling the crisp inhalation of air as you get up to temp is one of the best feelings - as long as you've got the right kit and are nice and snug.

As far as weather forecast, the local airport is always a good bet.

My favourite part of the year is the dry, bright, cold, sunny days in december. About 4 degrees, all wrapped up in winter gear, can see your breath, lovely.

However, this is the first year that I've had a different bike for summer, so perhaps being out on the hack will persuade me that Autumn is indeed superior.

Nice piece David.

Autumn is all too short a season now. Where summer used to drift slowly in to winter, it now appears to descend far more rapidly as the years roll by. Or maybe I'm just getting old.

I must confess I do look forward to winter, even if for no other reason than multiple layers of clothing are somewhat more flattering to my (average) cyclist's body.

"It's no wonder the most visited website on my computer is the BBC's weather channel" - either the BBC weather is better at forecasting in your area than mine, or you must go out with the wrong clothes VERY often! The "local" university weather station forecast is much more accurate, despite being 50 miles away and lots further inland.

A thermometer helps - outside, of course.

Below 15ºC the knees are covered - kneewarmers if it's due to warm up, tights if not. Less than 10º means proper gloves and a windproof and a merino base layer as it drops further.

I picked up a Craft gilet from ebay recently, it was just the ticket for the first few miles and during descents on yesterday's morning ride. I didn't even have to stop to take it off (show-off!) and it fitted easily into a jersey pocket.

Gloves can be a tricky one - cosy full-finger ones get too hot after half an hour but mitts leave my digits unresponsive on days like today - it was 9º and drizzling on the way to work, I could even see my breath!

I agree, if you can get the kit right (easier said than done)autumn can be great for riding. Arm and leg warmers are surely de-riguer to cope with the weather changing from hour to hour. The tricky bit is digging out all the kit that's been redundant all summer, and re-learning how to layer up (too hot can be as bad as too cold!)