Hmm we call those hedge apples around here. They are supposed to be good for keeping away wasps, spiders and other creepy crawlies. My mother use to put some around the house, until she heard they attracted roaches lol.

Careful with them acorns! I have seen smaller rocks cause some bad stuff

fallen leaves can hide ruts or dips, and are slippery when wet. I have about had my bars wrenched out of my hands a couple of times hitting a rut hidden by leaves.

If you ride somewhat off-road trails, you have to be aware of whether it is hunting season where you ride and take appropriate measures.

65F? seriously? True, you're down South but up North, like where I am, we're are a bit more tolerant to the cold I don't wear anything on my legs until temperature dips to 10C (50F).

Here it's not acorn to worry about but Canadian geese. I almost hit one this morning (rubs its tail) when it decided to change direction. First time I saw one do that. Usually it's squirrels that can't make their mind...

Old School


https://books.google.com/books?id=wb...%2065F&f=false

Hey, thanks for the link

I hiss loudly at squirrels up ahead. It seems to scare them away most of the time.

I've heard that a good strategy is to aim directly at the squirrel. They like to dodge and change direction at the last instant, sometimes running into a cyclist that's trying to avoid them.

Yes, layer.
Yes, buy a thicker long-sleeved jersey.
Yes, buy a windbreaker jacket.
And then perhaps also a rain jacket.

As the temperature gets cooler, you might do several layers with the jacket over the top.

Because you won't be showing off your cool jersey (it will be covered in a jacket) you can look for polypro layers and merino wool layers. I like a sleeveless jersey on the bottom with polypro next, and topped with merino wool or something along those lines.

Top: Arm warmers under 60F; jersey+ wind jacket or merino base layer under jersey under 50-55F; merino base layer, jersey, jacket (rain or wind) for 40-50F; soft shell, merino base layer (I skip the jersey at this point) under 40F.

Bottom: Under 55-60F: Shorts and tall socks. Under 45-50: Leggings over shorts and wool socks; neoprene foot warmers.

Hands: Cheapo hi-viz mechanic's gloves appear somewhere in the high 30s/low 40s.

As you can see from the responses here, comfort in cooler weather is in part a personal thing, but a few items will go a long way. I'm another one of those people who runs warm and loves cold weather...the real cycling fashion fun doesn't start until winter!

I have to add in face/neck coverings. Might not be a problem for you though, idk...but when it's too cool out, I get ear & jaw pain from the wind while riding, even in temps up to 50-55F. I usually wrap a scarf over my head, ears, mouth & nose, then down around my neck. I usually have a fleece headband over my ears under the scarf, or just that if it isn't too cold out.

I've never hit a squirrel and they are all over the place here, but I never, ever try to avoid them. Just hold your line and I doubt you'll ever hit one (hopefully).

now rabbits, which we have a good many of those, I have run over one of them, but again, was just holding my line, went up and over it, and it ran off

dangerous spots are where you have to turn like a 180 to change course and their is sediment, sand, acorns, or what ever in those places where cars seldom ride

oh and buy some buffs (neck gaiter) on amazon, they are good for keeping your neck and head warm, but they also breathe

Don't overdress. You should aim to be comfortable after 10-15 minutes of riding. This was a big one for me. I bike commute year-round (down to 10F), and after I learned to not overdress I began arriving at work or home cool and refreshed instead of hot and sweaty.

For fall:

+1 windbreaker in front, venting in back. Same for leggings (If necessary). A couple of years ago I saw some non bike specific light workout tights with a venting strip down the sides. They are perfect. But I don;t usually wear them until it gets down below 40F. I secure the bottoms with black elastic hair bands...have not died from embarrasment.

I also use cheap cotton work gloves in the fall. They block enough wind but still let my fingers breath. You can wear them under or over your bike gloves, and the ones with those textured rubber grip-dots work really well on the bike.

Layers are the key for me. Not only do they trap warm air, they allow for modifications. I commute with a back pack (usually on the back rack), so I can carry extra layers if I have underestimated the cold, or to carry the layers I have shed if I overestimated the cold.

If you are a recreational/sports rider, you may want to consider a small backpack, or frame bag to carry an extra layer of clothing.

TLDR: Windbreaking but Breathable, Don't overdress, allow for adjustments.

And don't forget hi-vis, reflectors and at least blinkies...it will start to get dark early.

This. I ride year round in Indiana. If you are toasty your first minute of riding, in 20 you will boil.

Personally, I won't ride if I need a jacket. That's when the temperature is in the 30's or low 40's F...with a wind.
Mid to low 60's I'll go with a long-sleeve base layer under a jersey.
Low 60's into the 50's I'll go with a long-sleeve jersey with base layer(s).
Mid 50's into the 40's I'll add long cycling tights to the long-sleeve jersey and base layers.

I just don't like the bulk of a jacket, and if the temperature gets that low, I'm just not that interested in cycling. But that's me.

+1. So many people in my local club dress to be comfortable in the parking lot before a ride. 10-15 minutes into the ride they are too warm, especially if we have hit hills. It also tends to warm as the morning progresses. People end up needing to shed layers and sometimes don't have enough jersey pocket capacity.


I do self contained tours in areas and at times when it can be in the 40s or 50s when I start out but quickly warm as the sun gets a little higher. I have learned to tolerate starting out feeling a bit chilly so I don't have to stop by the side of the road to shed layers soon after I start riding. But even when I do have to do that I have the carrying capacity.

I forgot to mention that you should buy a quality newspaper. (I always wear a tee in any weather I cold enough that I might need the newspaper.)

Ben

40°

Sometimes I might throw on a long sleeve t-shirt if it's 50 or below. I don't wear bicycle gear, just synthetic t-shirts, liner shorts, and athletic shorts over the liners. 40 is usually the cutoff for me for shorts.

So for Fall weather, since it's not cold in the fall, it's shorts and t-shirt just like in the summer only I'm now comfortable rather than roasting hot.

My ventilated shoes with regular socks are good down to 23° I learned last year. At 23°, I went with wool socks with the same shoes and was fine. Thinner gloves with fingers for below freezing and thicker gloves in the 20's.

We call them horse apples in Texas.