Fall is here, the weather is beautiful, the riding is great.

There are some things to remember when riding this fall:

Mountain Biking:

Riding in the woods this time of year is great.  The temperature is just right, the humidity is down, and visibility improves with all the leaves falling off the trees.  You must remember that it is more difficult to ride with leaves on the ground.  They cover the rocks and the roots.  They also get slippery when wet and can even be slippery when dry.  Take your time and ride safe.

Daylight is another challenge of fall riding.  With the right set of lights, you can ride after work, in the middle of the night, early in the morning, whenever you want.  Be sure you have your battery fully charged so you don’t get stuck on your favorite trail with no light.

Road Riding:

Riding on the road I the fall is not that much different than the summer, however, there are a few things to remember.  Evening rides are more difficult to get in because of losing daylight and it’s not safe to night ride on the road.  You should at least have a tail light if you will be out at dawn or dusk.  Also, it is a law in PA to have a white, flashing headlight and red flashing rear taillight if you are riding on the road after sunset or before sunrise.  Another thing to remember is the temperature is cooler but you will still sweat.  Wear the right clothing for temperature regulation.  If you don’t know what to wear, stop by the store.  We can educate you on base layers, jerseys, and jackets for body temperature regulation.  Rides in the morning start cool and can heat up pretty quickly so make sure you can shed layers.

Rail Trail Riding:

Right now the scenery is great along the local rail trails.  Many people enjoy walking and riding and running these trails in the fall.  The trails are pretty well maintained so there is not a lot of differences in terrain with the changing of season.  Be sure to be alert for other trail users and make sure you are dressed properly for the weather.  Wear layers in case you get too warm.

Riding in the fall is a lot of fun.  As always, wear a helmet and be courteous of other riders, trail users, motorists, dogs and children.  We have some great roads and trails in this area and it is all of our responsibilities to share the space.