Autumn Cycling

The first bicycle ride, when it got cooler, felt unpleasant. My hands felt cold, the areas around zips felt cold, my legs felt cold, and then, over a few rides I got used to the temperature.

When you cycle in the pre-dawn dark the temperature is cool. You can feel it biting through your long cycling shorts, and through the first three layers, and especially through the zip. Add a think windcutter, and you’re warm.

For several rides my core has been warm enough not to require gloves while riding. I was so warm, while riding yesterday morning that my outer layer was open and the windproof layer was stowed away, as were my gloves.

On Saturday two or three younger men were so cold that they were visibly shaking. If you wear the minimum, you will be cold at this time of year, especially when it’s a shock to the system.

I wear a thermal layer, and then the summer bib, and then a jacket, and then the wind breaker. With these layers I feel warm, especially when the sun has had time to heat the air. That’s why it makes sense, if you have the luxury, not to go out for your bike ride too early. The longer you wait, the warmer, in relative terms, it will be.

Originally, the plan for yesterday was to go on a photo bike ride. Since no one confirmed I considered going for a walk through other vineyards before realising I had no real desire to do this.

In the morning, I drew a route with Strava, to take me from Nyon to Divonne, but rather than go straight there, along busy roads, I chose a more winding route where traffic was less likely. In the process I think I came up with a nice route.

I then transferred it to the GPS head unit. Someone said “I’ll be at the meeting point in 15 minutes, so I rushed to get ready, and then the person said never mind. As I was dressed for my ride I decided to head out and test the new route.

I tried as much as possible to be on farm roads, secondary roads, and on the voie verte. In the process I noticed that I had two or three routing errors. I corrected these when I got home.

One error was that I felt we had too much climbing, that was not needed. With my two usual Nyon groups these climbs wouldn’t be noticed. I want my ride to inclusive and comfortable. I want to use quiet farm roads to give us the chance to chat, rather than worry about cars. I also want it to be a relaxed and convivial route. The aim is to converse, and in two or three places to stop and enjoy the views. If we’re lucky the skies will be clear. If we’re not we will have views like those we have today.

As I explored the new route I noticed a cycling route sign after Grilly so I turned around and followed it. It took me along a rough dirt road to somewhere I have ridden many times. The path is rough, and not friendly for road bikes. It is not included on the route but if the group is suitable I may try this short cut. Its advantage is that it cuts out a fast road segment, if people are on gravel or urban bikes.

And Finally

I thought that with the arrival of winter, my cycling would stop due to the cold. Now I find that although the air is cold, with the right clothing, it is still quite pleasant. I was also thinking about the irony that crack of dawn rides still take place, despite starting in the dark, but dusk rides are over, because night falls too early for a ride to be enjoyed in full. Logically if morning rides go ahead when it’s 8°c, then an early sunset is less unpleasant.

We will see how long I keep cycling into Autumn and winter.