The weather is changing. The days are shorter and it’s cooler; often wet. Does that mean we have to give up on cycling? Not at all! There is no bad weather; there is only bad clothing! With a little planning, knowledge and organizing, you can continue to cycle all Autumn, and even into the winter.

So reads a great bike blog post which continues:

 

In fact, the fall is a beautiful time of year to cycle. The air is crisp and the leaves are changing to brilliant colors. Here are some pointers for keeping safe and comfortable cycling in the cooler weather.

• With fewer cyclists on the road, drivers anticipate us less, therefore be very aware of what is going on around you and ensure you wear light coloured clothing that is highly visible. Yellow is the most visible. Consider a reflective vest.
• Falling leaves can be slippery; don’t make any sudden moves. Consider putting fatter tires on if you cycle with slicks.  (Read the whole post)

Another post from California says this:

"Why do I like riding in the fall? Because it's the right time of year," said Curtis Fong, whose Stateline, Nev.-based Bike The West produces cycling events in the Lake Tahoe region. "The relatively consistent weather makes temperatures about perfect. The summer traffic is gone so the roads are lonelier. And the changing colors of the aspen trees framed by occasionally snowcapped peaks make for spectacular scenery."

Another great thing about cycling in the autumn is that you're reasonably fit from all those miles you've hammered out during the spring and summer. Plus your next big race or century ride isn't until next spring, so you can actually go out for a spin without feeling like you have to pound out every mile.

From a UK blog:

My main reason for loving this time of year, is because of how quiet it gets when I’m out there on my bike. I can usually go a good few hours without seeing a soul, when Im off the beaten track. This is a far cry from Summer when you can’t go more than 100 yards without skimming a dog walker, or a happy jogger.

In Idaho they agree:

“Local trails tend to be less crowded than in the spring and summer, and as long as trails are dry, most remain rideable into the winter unless there’s seasonal closures to protect big game wintering grounds.”

“It’s a good way to stay in shape and keep the holiday calories from hanging around your waistline.”

 image from frankh

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On October 3, 2009, the spectacular Walkway Over The Hudson will open.  Through the work of many over the last decade, the former Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge has been converted to a delightful venue for walkers, cyclist, and bladers.  It’s opening just in time for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding by Dutch explorer, Henry Hudson.  The walkway, about 1.25 miles long, connects with twenty-seven miles of miles of rail trails and riverfront parks already built or planned in Ulster and Dutchess Counties.

The bridge currently is owned by a not-for-profit organization, Walkway Over the Hudson. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (New York State Parks) is "Lead Agency" under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. The Dyson Foundation funded a significant portion of the design and inspection. Consulting services are being provided by the Bergmann Associates team.
From the book Bridging The Hudson: "The Poughkeepsie railroad bridge was the first bridge to be built over the Hudson River from the ocean all the way up to Albany. It was a technological wonder. Opened in 1889 soon after the Brooklyn Bridge opened, it is not only higher above the water than the Brooklyn Bridge, and founded deeper in the water, but also longer. When it opened, its promoters claimed it was the longest bridge in the world."

The Walkway Over The Hudson is an exciting place to visit.  Louis Rossi, author of Cycling Along The Canals of New York State, recently toured the facility.  His email back to the bridge contact person said: “WOW!!!  The bridge is Awesome! Staggering! Incredible!   My COMPLIMENTS to you-all!  Incredible job!!”

 

 

This is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. The top of the bridge deck is 212 feet above the water and the width expands from 24 feet over land, to 35 feet over the Hudson River.  Come visit this great facility -- bring your bike or your walking shoes, and your camera.

 bridge image from Walkway website   photos by Louis Rossi

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Penny and I went for our first bike outing yesterday and like the bike adventures I outlined in March, it was exciting.  First of all, the disc brakes on my mountain bike, which I took apart this spring replacing rusty discs, need adjustment. (I miss my bike tech son, Rich)  So the initial downhill was a little faster than I'd like.  Got to learn how to bleed those brakes.

 My system is called the Springer and it works quite well.  The dog has room to run and a big spring tends to absorb most of the lurches and spurts -- but it does help if you're an experienced cyclist.  So we launched down the driveway and down our dirt road and cruised up the rather flat dirt road that runs along the brook.  Full of energy, she pulls like crazy and I hardly have to pedal.  After ten minutes, we slowed down and I found a shady place and let her drink out of the clear water flowing down the ditch.

I've watched my Vizsla run a lot -- too often away from me ignoring my calls but that's another story -- and dogs tend to run in spurts.  They cruise, sometime gallop, but then stop and sniff and explore.  I try to simulate that activity by not running her continually -- but varying speeds and stopping fairly frequently for a break.  I also stick to dirt roads or if on pavement, ride so that she can run on the shoulder.  One of my favorite places is our local airport, during periods with no activity, where I can ride the edges of runways or taxiways and she can run along on the grass.  (I'm a pilot so folks let me be)

Here's a picture of our camera shy Hungarian hound before we launched today.  The Springer is hooked up and ready -- and while she doesn't look interested, once I put the iPhone away, she was raring to go.

On our normal route, the initial downhill ends up being a climb at the end of the workout. Penny slows down and walks and I have to pedal and half-pull her up the road.  It's probably funny to hear me panting "come on, girl -- here Penny" as I try to coax her into a faster climb.  What I need is a hot dog on a stick to hold in front of her -- we'd make it back up in record time.  

For me, cycling with a dog is not really a good workout for me but it's a good way to get her some aerobic exercise.  Dogs seem to love it and it's really is a lot of fun to fly down a dirt road with your canine buddy stretched out in a flat run.  Carry water and a collapsible water dish and "bike like a dog."

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Here are some bike-friendly camping destinations to check out whether you're packing up the panniers for a self-guided bike tour, craving some sunshine after singletrack riding, or on a quest for some quality time with the family. Feel free to suggest your favorites.

"If you are like many cyclists and don’t like to ride in a pack, you can always create your own solo cycling tour. It doesn’t have to be a grand adventure like cycling across Canada, or even an out-and-back to Merrickville. It can be anything beyond your farthest ride into an area you’ve never cycled before.

Solo touring has the advantage of letting you go where you want, when you want, as fast or slow you want. You can change the route on a whim because there is just you to please.

10 Solo Touring Tips

1. Be prepared. Carry some cash, a credit card, OHIP card, emergency contact information, a fully charged cell phone, and any emergency medications such as your asthma puffer. Don’t forget a vest or rain jacket if the weather is iffy. Bring a map or have the route logged into your GPS. Adventure is good but being lost isn’t..."(Read the whole article by Sheila Ashcroft)

Photo by Francois Schnell

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Totcycle has posted a great article on cycling with kids of all ages.  It starts:

"Now that I'm a self-styled family biking expert , I do get asked a bit about what bike or seat is best for such and such family configuration. And I'm always happy to answer at greater length than is perhaps hoped for.

So here it is, my opinionated take on what bike setup you need for you and yours. I should note my biases: for cycling a la familia I like big sturdy practical bikes with cargo capacity. Because you'll soon want to do a lot more than drive your bikes to Sunday toodles along the bike trail, and having some ever-ready cargo ability makes bikes so much more practical for errands, school dropoffs, and everyday cycling ...

I also don't love bike trailers, which seem to be the default way to bike with young kids in this country. Yes, they're easy to find, let you ride your existing road or mountain bike without much modification, work well with narcoleptic toddlers, and have good weather protection. BUT - the awkward maneuvering, lack of interaction with your kids, and the intense dislike or, at best, tolerance that they inspire in passengers (my daughter won't ride in a trailer unless another kid is along, which works until the squabbles start) make me unenthusiastic about trailers. In some respects, they might be safer than some of the other options below, but they can and do tip over.

If you like to ride bikes for the wind on your face, swoopy turns, the sensation of self-powered speed, and getting to experience the world around you with all of your senses ... then so will your kids! if you're a reasonably confident & careful rider, don't miss the delightful conversations and shared delight that comes with riding together on a family bike. Get giddy..."  (read whole article)

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