Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Signs of fall...

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Signs of fall...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-18-18, 09:56 PM
  #1  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times in 6,054 Posts
Signs of fall...

I've noticed yellow leaves on the ground here and there, but it's been so hot a lot of the summer I figured some of the trees were just stressed. This morning felt chilly, the floors were cold. And of course the sun is setting much earlier. Soon it's going to be time to break out the cool weather gear and the lights.

What have you noticed? How is it affecting your riding? What cycling plans are you looking forward to this fall?
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 08-18-18, 10:08 PM
  #2  
DrIsotope
Non omnino gravis
 
DrIsotope's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SoCal, USA!
Posts: 8,553

Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu

Mentioned: 119 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4905 Post(s)
Liked 1,731 Times in 958 Posts
Well, it was only 96º today, so I guess that's something. But the autumn-- what we get of it-- doesn't begin until late-September. Looking at another 40-50 days of 90º makes it tough to think about fall.

I look forward to December-- it never gets super cold, but I also don't have to get on the road by 7am anymore, and I'm not sweating buckets. I figure I might get two imperial centuries in before the end of the year.

Oh, and me and the wife do Bike the Coast in San Diego every November, which is super laid back and I overeat terribly, so I am totes looking forward to that. I definitely buried the lede there.
__________________
DrIsotope is offline  
Old 08-18-18, 10:50 PM
  #3  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
I've noticed yellow leaves on the ground here and there, but it's been so hot a lot of the summer I figured some of the trees were just stressed. This morning felt chilly, the floors were cold. And of course the sun is setting much earlier. Soon it's going to be time to break out the cool weather gear and the lights.

What have you noticed? How is it affecting your riding? What cycling plans are you looking forward to this fall?
That I deal with the heat a lot better than I do with the cold so I ride more; and that August is the hottest month of the year, and I prefer it.

Besides, my late season garden hasn't produced any fruit yet, so I'm in no particular hurry to get back to the cold without seeing any reward.
KraneXL is offline  
Old 08-18-18, 11:37 PM
  #4  
rgconner
Senior Member
 
rgconner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,156

Bikes: Curtis Inglis Road, 80's Sekai touring fixie

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 472 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 9 Posts
When the ground suddenly gets a lot closer?
rgconner is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 07:24 AM
  #5  
trailangel
Senior Member
 
trailangel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 4,848

Bikes: Schwinn Varsity

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1931 Post(s)
Liked 742 Times in 422 Posts
Originally Posted by rgconner
When the ground suddenly gets a lot closer?
Ha. That's how I read this.
Fall is another month away for us. I consider fall to be good riding weather.... cool mornings...warm afternoons.
trailangel is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 07:40 AM
  #6  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18409 Post(s)
Liked 15,525 Times in 7,325 Posts
Sunset in these parts is now before 8 p.m. That means that if I am going to be out and about in town late I need to remember to attach my lights.

As for things to look forward to, our club's annual ride to Brooklyn is the day before Labor Day. The following Friday I will be driving to Vienna. OH to start a one-wek bike tour home to Philly.

After another week of brutal heat and humidity, today is in the 70s (albeit with on and off showers), and this coming week looks much better, with highs only in the mid-80s at most.
indyfabz is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 09:38 AM
  #7  
Maelochs
Senior Member
 
Maelochs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,487

Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7651 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times in 1,834 Posts
Road rash, bruises, handlebars are at a new angle, water bottles are on the ground ... oh, the Other Fall.
Maelochs is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 10:02 AM
  #8  
berner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, R. I.
Posts: 4,340

Bikes: Specialized Secteur, old Peugeot

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 663 Post(s)
Liked 496 Times in 299 Posts
I've noticed a few yellow leaves here also and a definite chill in the air, at least compared to steady 80+F weather. The days are noticeably shorter and the local population of geese, though now year round residents, are showing a tendency to flock in much larger groups. Have not yet checked on the signs from wooley caterpillars or that ultimate authority, The Farmers Almanac.
berner is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 12:29 PM
  #9  
GrainBrain
Senior Member
 
GrainBrain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Central Io-way
Posts: 2,673

Bikes: LeMond Zurich, Giant Talon 29er

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1221 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times in 472 Posts
Signs of fall...

Stop
It's 80°f here.

*sigh* but the University starts up tomorrow, and the frenetic nature of the college town is back in full swing.
GrainBrain is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 02:05 PM
  #10  
TimothyH
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times in 469 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
What cycling plans are you looking forward to this fall?
Gravel. Lots of gravel.

And buying last summer's leftover hot weather gear on clearance.


-Tim-
TimothyH is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 02:07 PM
  #11  
Marcus_Ti
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
 
Marcus_Ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331

Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times in 254 Posts
Leaves. Also wildlife migrations. Start seeing different critters. Wild turkey in particular. Also with dawn/dusk re-timing themselves backwards.

I change from my 0530AM riding routine...to late afternoon as the UV is no longer as bad.


Today and tomorrow are the break from our heat wave...so far 40mm of rain, and still falling and more coming tonight and tomorrow, flood watches/warnings out, so not much offroad riding to be done.
Marcus_Ti is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 02:13 PM
  #12  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18372 Post(s)
Liked 4,507 Times in 3,350 Posts
SMOKE and HAZE and an Orange Sun
CliffordK is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 03:48 PM
  #13  
exmechanic89
Senior Member
 
exmechanic89's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA area
Posts: 2,618

Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Nothing but high heat and sky-humidity here still, even in mid August. I've gotten so used to these conditions I'm afraid I'll be freezing on the first 68 degree day. I'm looking forward to not having to ride only at 5am, though.
exmechanic89 is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 04:18 PM
  #14  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Its been a relative moderate summer here in LA with temps only in the mid 80s. At least compared to what is was like last year and the year before that. Warm but not unbearable. Funny thing is even though July is listed to be the hottest month, the two highest temperatures ever (90, 91) were both recorded in the month of November, around Thanksgiving.
KraneXL is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 06:45 PM
  #15  
Abe_Froman
Senior Member
 
Abe_Froman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,524

Bikes: Marin Four Corners, 1960's Schwinn Racer in middle of restoration, mid 70s Motobecane Grand Touring, various other heaps.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9347 Post(s)
Liked 57 Times in 51 Posts
No signs of fall here except for the early sunset. Which sucks...

Plan on doing at least one cross race evey weekend through the fall.
Abe_Froman is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 09:39 PM
  #16  
wipekitty
vespertine member
 
wipekitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times in 163 Posts
Earlier sunsets Evening is my favorite time to ride, but in the fall I have to start pushing it earlier, or shorter, or plan a route with a final stretch that is safe in the dark.

Some of the leaves along the river are changing. And I can easily tell when there's a W/NW wind due to the smoky sky from the seemingly annual Canadian wildfires.

I wish it would cool down. I miss good sleeping weather.
wipekitty is offline  
Old 08-19-18, 10:09 PM
  #17  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times in 6,054 Posts
High of 74 F today but it's supposed to get to 88 F on Tuesday. With all the smoke in the air it'll be about 5 degrees cooler than that, it's amazing how much less sun gets through.

Two years ago I was backpacking in Horseshoe Basin for the Perseids meteor shower and it hailed. In August. Last year I did a September gravel ride and found ice on the trees at the top. I was under dressed for that ride.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 07:21 AM
  #18  
sevenmag
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 564

Bikes: 1976 Raleigh,2015 Bianchi Intenso, 2012 Specialized Secteur.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
I noticed a few yellow leaves on the ground on my ride this weekend as well. However, it does not in any way feel like fall is here yet.
sevenmag is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 07:57 AM
  #19  
hsuehhwa
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Huntington Harbor, CA
Posts: 399
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 115 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
In SoCal I've noticed it for a couple of weeks. We started early (before 7 AM) and climbed straight up to the mountains (Crystal Lake, Onyx Summit) a couple of weeks in a row. It was nice climbing (~3 hrs) in the mid 60-70s (7-11 AM) and descending in the high 70s-90s.
hsuehhwa is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 09:11 AM
  #20  
bikecrate
Senior Member
 
bikecrate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LF, APMAT
Posts: 2,752
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 397 Times in 226 Posts
Fall? What's that? Even for FL we haven't had a proper fall in three years. It has been pretty warm all the way to December. We used to get a few cold fronts in October and lower temps and humidity starting in November. I feel those days are gone. However, I was riding last Tuesday and there was a cool breeze blowing from a far off storm. I almost fooled myself into thinking it was the start of fall.
bikecrate is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 09:29 AM
  #21  
Seattle Forrest
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times in 6,054 Posts
Originally Posted by sevenmag
I noticed a few yellow leaves on the ground on my ride this weekend as well. However, it does not in any way feel like fall is here yet.
For sure. It's around the corner, peaking out at (some of) us from time to time. I hope there's more swimming left. Summer is fleeting up here.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 11:17 AM
  #22  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
Originally Posted by bikecrate
Fall? What's that? Even for FL we haven't had a proper fall in three years. It has been pretty warm all the way to December. We used to get a few cold fronts in October and lower temps and humidity starting in November. I feel those days are gone. However, I was riding last Tuesday and there was a cool breeze blowing from a far off storm. I almost fooled myself into thinking it was the start of fall.
Florida doesn't technically have a fall. Sure there are deciduous trees that still shed their leaves. But its not the golden Autumn most of the rest of the nation would recognize.
KraneXL is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 12:06 PM
  #23  
kbarch
Senior Member
 
kbarch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,286
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1096 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Weekday pre-work rides demand a light again.

Aside from Citibike, I never ride in the evening, so I'd just as soon skip the whole Daylight Savings Time thing....
kbarch is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 09:11 PM
  #24  
KraneXL
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: La-la Land, CA
Posts: 3,623

Bikes: Cannondale Quick SL1 Bike - 2014

Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3405 Post(s)
Liked 240 Times in 185 Posts
I could go out for a late (cooler) ride and still get back home before I lost the light.
KraneXL is offline  
Old 08-20-18, 09:44 PM
  #25  
Cpinn3r
Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 35
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 1 Post
Sign of fall is when Australian / NZ riders say Spring is around the corner
Cpinn3r is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.