It seems like yesterday I put my heavy leathers, layers and other cold weather riding gear away for the summer. I know where the time went. It was riding all the big benefit rides in Utah. It was riding with old friends. It was meeting and riding with new friends. A lot of family time and miles beneath my tires.

Those warm summer days are gone for this year, but that only leads to new rides and challenges in the months ahead. Autumn is a favorite riding season of mine, well they all are but this time of year is special. I particularly like Fall colors rides in the canyons of Utah. The roads have been maintained and the scenery is spectacular.

Fall riding for me means starting out with near empty saddle bags. The morning and evenings are cool so you will want to wear appropriate riding gear for these conditions. As mid day approaches you will need someplace to put the layers you shed. I like to be comfortable when I ride.

Just last Saturday I left my house at around 7:30 a.m. to ride the 120 miles to Duchesne, Utah to meet a brother to ride with some more to have lunch in Price, Utah. Leaving home I was wearing my riding jacket, vest, chaps and medium weight gloves. I also used the heated grips a bit. In Duchesne I switched out the gloves for a lighter pair. Before we got to Price I was unbuttoning my vest and lowering the zipper on my jacket. Heated grips were now turned off. Jacket went in a saddle bag after lunch. By the way, lunch at Groggs in Price is well worth the ride and I do not hand out free endorsement lightly.

The trick to Fall riding is versatility. Be prepared to change you gear throughout the day. It's the time of year to drag all your gear out, get it ready for winter unless you winterize and park your bike for the year. That would be a shame, because winter brings on new challenges that can improve our riding skills. Never fear. I can guide you through riding comfortably in the Winter on this blog before it gets here.

MLH&R
TwistedTom