Fall Biking: Make Fall Bike Riding a Safe and Enjoyable Experience

August 27, 2021

That time of the year is finally here. Fall marks the transition from summer to winter, and the change in scenery can make anyone fall (all puns intended) for it.

Fall Biking: Make Fall Bike Riding a Safe and Enjoyable Experience

The red, yellow, orange, and brown spectrum of colors and a crisp, cool breeze are enough to make anyone venture outside and explore the outdoors. One of the best ways to enjoy the scenic change is riding your bike through nature trails.

A 2015 study has shown that aerobic exercises like cycling increase anandamide’s level in the blood, which happens to be a natural cannabinoid.

Notably, cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system, which is the same part of the brain triggered by active components of Marijuana. This causes what many describe as a “cyclist’s high,” which gives a burst of happiness and boosts mental health.

Moreover, cycling has also proven to spike serotonin in the brain – a mood stabilizer, and booster.

Combine the effects of cyclist’s high as well as spiked serotonin with the mentally stimulating scenery during the fall season, and there’s nothing better than cycling to feel the joy.

While you may be tempted to take your bike out for a whirl after reading this, here are some precautions you must take.

Keep a Tab on Weather

The fall season offers an amazing climate with cooler temperatures and a crispy, chilly breeze. However, the season is also characterized by rainy days, a windy climate on some days, and snow as we progress into November.

While some days might experience gray and heavy clouds, others may have clear skies and sunny weather.

It would be best to keep tabs on the weather through forecast websites.

Take note of the weather forecast for the days to come. Pick days with cool temperatures predicted without any signs of rain or wind to have the best experience while biking on nature trails.

Watch Out for Road Hazards

One of the best aspects of the fall season is also the most dangerous aspect of fall bike riding. The beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves shed by trees are accumulated on the roads.

These are further bogged down by the rainwater, where they start to break down and decompose.

This decaying mass of leaves on roads creates a slick and slimy slurry of organic matter. This slurry eliminates traction for the thin tires of a bike. If you’re not careful, you may slip and crash.

To avoid this, don’t ride too far off the road’s edge and too far into the middle of the road, where leaves usually tend to accumulate.

Beware of off-Road Hazards

Some bikers love to pedal off-road because it has its own merits. You get to ride through the scenery and experience the change in nature from close quarters. However, the falling leaves are a major culprit off-road as well, in fact, more so.

While there’s still reduced traction, soft dirt and rough surface offer some sort of grip when the leaves are wet.

However, the genuine concern is what the thick mulch of decaying leaves might be hiding. Keep an eye out for a ditch, tree stump, large stone, or other such risky elements while biking off-road.

The best way to do this is to go slow when you can’t see the trail ahead because of the leaves.

Ensure Maximum Visibility

Speaking of inability to see what’s ahead, ensure that others can see you all the time to avoid any accidents. Notably, the fall season is characterized by shorter days and reduced daylight due to heavy clouds most of the time.

This means that the probability of getting crashed by motor vehicles increases many folds if you don’t take precautions.

To avoid this, head to your nearest bike shop and pick up the brightest biking lights available. You’ll require three types of lights for your bike.

There should be a bright white light that goes on the front, a red light that goes on the back, and a headlight that you fix on your biking helmet.

This will ensure that anyone approaching you on the road will be able to see you very clearly. For good measure, get biking apparel with reflective stripes on them.

These will light up when the headlights of the vehicle shine upon them and make you stand out.

Dress for the Part

Speaking of apparel, picking the right bike riding gear is of utmost importance. Since the fall season experiences colder temperatures and chilly breezes, invest in long-sleeved jerseys with arm and knee warmers.

Conclusion

However, make sure not to overdress as that will have an adverse effect. You wouldn’t want to sweat past your biking gear, end up getting wet and get cold. That defeats the purpose.

Now that you’re all prepped and aware of the risks involved, you can pick up your bike and pedal away on your favorite trail. It will give you the much-needed serotonin boost to battle Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or winter depression.

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