The arrival of autumn might make a few people spend a lot more time indoors, but for discerning motorcyclists, this can be a great season to get out and about.
Not only do you not have to worry about excessively hot days, busy traffic on bank holidays (because there aren’t any), or finding many beauty spots you like to ride to are crowded with tourists; there are also some great scenic joys to be had. You also don’t have to worry about snow and ice for a while yet.
At the same time, however, there are some new dangers presented by the season that you need to be aware of and respond to, so that you can be as safe as possible. Here at New Rage Cycles, we are very familiar with both the joys and dangers of autumn riding.
We recently wrote about three of the great motorcycle routes you can enjoy at any time, but of course, there are many more lists out there with a lot more than three, with the RAC list of five also including the Minehead to Barnstaple ride in the west country and the Cat and Fiddle - which adds a second Peak District route to the Snake Pass we covered last time.
What so many of these include is the opportunity to enjoy great open spaces, often in high and airy conditions.
The rural scenery will be turning golden as autumn wears on, and this time of year can also be great for sunsets, followed by expectations of a very good autumn and winter for spotting the Northern Lights; as the solar cycle reaches its maximum, that extraordinary display in May might not be the last of its kind.
All these are great things about riding in autumn, to which can be added riding through wooded areas as the leaves turn. But there are many dangers too and you cannot ignore them.
Firstly, you should make sure your bike is in good condition, with brakes, lights and tyres in particular needing to be in good shape. You’ll need to have effective brakes and for wetter conditions, but your tyre treads will be just as important as roads get wetter and more slippery with the fallen leaves.
Good lights are an obvious need when the nights are longer and the afternoons get gloomier and sometimes foggy. As autumn wears on, you will not only need to have good working lights, but should wear some day-glo gear to ensure you are easy to spot and reflect other lights well.
Being easier to see will be a good way to reduce the risk of accidents, but you should also be wary of clear days when the sun is low in the sky, lest you get dazzled.
You should also be dressing warmly for colder weather and be aware of debris on the road after seasonal storms.
All these steps will keep you safer on the road this autumn and will be good preparation for the greater dangers of winter. That way, you can get out there and enjoy some great rides this season.