Yesterday was our first day of Fall cycling.  Fall doesn’t hit for another ten days but Summer is fading fast.  It always does after Labor Day in Michigan.

It was 52 degrees when we rolled out yesterday morning.  Not too long ago, before I had any real miles on my legs or even decent cold weather gear, that was just a touch too cool for comfort.  If it was sunny out, I’d chance it, but f it was cloudy and windy I’d stay home.  I’m no longer so afflicted.

With the proper gear, Fall cycling is as good as it gets.  With the season effectively over the long rides shorten from 80-100 miles down to 40-60.  The arm warmers, knee warmers or even leg warmers come out, the gloves and vests…

Fall is the time to enjoy all of those hard miles I put in all summer long.  Fall is for fun rides and time spent with friends, taking advantage of those last few nice days before the snow flies and forces most of us inside to toil away on trainers until the weather breaks again.

Fall is the time to once again cart out the mountain bikes (from a roadie’s perspective anyway – apologies to the mtb crew).  Fall is the time to not worry so much about training but to just have fun and ride.  After all, there will be plenty of time for intervals and cadence drills when we’re stuck on our trainers, wishing the snow wasn’t quite so deep.

Fall is the time to take advantage of what little good weather is left, before we do it all over again next year.