Commuting - The breath of autumn

I know your guys up north look at autumn as, to some extent, the beginning of the end of your cycling year, and I am really sorry that some of you live in areas where you have to stop riding altogether because of winter. However, here in the Deep South we look forward do fall like you guys look forward to spring. I know my good buddy Pete Clark and the other guys in the Atlanta area, Ron, AlphaGeek, Cambronne, etc., will bear me out. Here in New Orleans, the temperature is routinely around 90 or higher from at least May through September, often more. It is not at all unusual for it to be 85 on CHRISTMAS DAY! Combine that with relative humidity of 95-100% and it is like living in a steambath. Just walking 20 feet from the house to the garage to get my bike, I am getting wet with sweat. So imagine my delight to wake up to temperature in the low 60s with a nice breeze. It would have been even nicer if the 15 mph "breeze" had been quartering from the port bow most of the way. But I guess you can' t have everything. I actually put on a little shell vest. It is only supposed to get up to 80 today, a regular cold front for us. It's only for a couple of days then back to higher temps and humidity, but at least it is a taste.
Regards,
Raymond

Life is beautiful! :thumbup:

Rainman, you described it well, it's a welcome change!

Last week, I was in Lake Placid for 4 days, and the leaves up there are already about 1/2 turned. When I got home, the first job waiting for me was the mounting of the rear fender to the road bike. I don't ride that bike in the rain, but I can't wait all day for the road to dry, either. The studded tyres will be going on the hybrid sometime in mid-november, most likely.

That fall-weather is what we have to put up with most of the year in the UK. Apart from 2 weeks of hot weather and 2 weeks of freezing, its all pretty mild. Apparently, weather is one of the main reasons for non-cyclists not cycling in the UK!!!

Rainman, that cold front you spoke of hit us last night. I awoke to temps in the low 70's with highs only in the low 80's. Relief, finally! Unfortunately, the front brought with it a lot of rain, like Tropical Storm Gabrielle wasn't enough.

But like you said, I'm looking forward to the cooler weather and the "Prime" cycling season down here in the south.

L8R G8R:D

Like Michael says,

Fall here is pretty much all year round...grumble grumble...bbbrrrrrrrr, it's getting cold out there...

Rich :freezing his wingnuts off!!!*

This morning ride felt different.. It was brisk, not too cold, but once in the shower, the warm water felt burning on my hands, toes, and other "wind exposed" extremities... Sure sign of fall... :)


A

You're right Rainman. Winter is definitely on the way. Brrrrrrr!

The temperature this morning was 52 :eek: and I had to break out the tights and long sleeve jersey for the ride to work. And just my luck, the occasional breeze changed to a head wind when I was 4 miles from work.

Winter is not my favorite season. How long is it until April? ;)

Originally posted by RainmanP
I know your guys up north look at autumn as, to some extent, the beginning of the end of your cycling year...

Actually, the winter does not have to be the end of the bicycling season. Like many, I bicycle all year round - even in the snow. Check out www.icebike.com.

What the autumn does mark is the coming of ski season. Anybody who likes bicycling would most probably enjoy skiing - especially cross country skiing. If anything, it was my love of the skiing sensation that fueled my enthusiasm for bicycling. Bicycling is like skiing - but you get to do it (bicycle) all year and you can actually go places while you are doing it.

i love this time of year, fall night rides are at the top of my list of things to do.

Originally posted by RainmanP
So imagine my delight to wake up to temperature in the low 60s with a nice breeze
Ahhh! Beauteous! :D

I had better get my helmet soon! The best cycling days can't pass me by!

Meantime, I'm walking a lot. (11 miles today! :eek: )

I'm really looking forward to cycling through the orchards and autumn woodland (well providing it's not raining too hard ;) ).
I'm not sure about commuting right through the winter but bright fresh days are my kind of days...

Richard (mumbling a few lines of Keats under his breath)