Here's To Autumn, The Only Time When The Words 'Riding' and 'Fall' Sounds Good Together.

by Andrew Lynn Marketing Manager

As expected the autumn will hit the Australian terrain at the beginning of March this year. It means that we are slowly moving towards the fall where the days will be getting shorter, the morning's cooler and fall riding to take in the colors is close at hand. So, to help assure you won’t miss this special time of year for getting out there here’s the Ultimate Motorcycling fall season ride planning reminder.

Here are some things to keep in mind when planning your ride during this beautiful motorcycling season.

1.Have Adaptable Riding Gear

The weather in fall is transitional and subject to rather abrupt changes. Cool mornings can end up being warm, even hot afternoons, followed by chilly evenings. Having all weather protective motorcycle gear that allows for ventilation when you need it and none, when you don’t, is a great idea.

Armored Pekev riding jackets with zip-out full liners are great as well as textile or leather riding jackets with closable vents are great for changing conditions. Motorcycle riding jeans with similar features help maximize riding comfort as the weather conditions change.

2. Be Aware Of More Active Wildlife

That leads up to another safety consideration that tends to be more of a concern for fall riding. Wildlife, particularly large animals tend to become more active in autumn and as a result, they tend to be encountered along roads more often as they move around during mating, migration or foraging.

Some animals such as whitetail deer can pose particular hazards as they may stand at the roadside, watch your approach and then decide to charge across in front of you at the last moment. If your riding glasses are so dark they make things in the shadows difficult to see, a deer in otherwise plain view may be all but invisible.

3. Take Precautions For Poor Visibility

One thing I’ve noticed in fall riding is that with the sun at a lower angle in the sky, shadows become longer, darker and occur earlier in the day in much more of the riding area than during mid-summer.

That not only contributes to cooler air along the way but can cause poor visibility of road surfaces and hazards. This is particularly true if you wear dark sunglasses during the ride. Wearing only lightly tinted shades or a helmet with retractable sun shade or even photochromatic shield can help improve vision into those dark shadows.

4. Beware of Traction Surprises

The shadows can have one other effect worth noting; on lightly traveled roads overnight frost or precipitation can linger on the road surfaces into the later part of the morning when all the other more open road areas are dry.

Frost can be as slick as ice and wet pavement offers less traction as well, so being alert to road conditions in the shadows when those conditions are present can help avoid nasty surprises.

Perhaps the best ideas of all: ride safe, slow down, enjoy the views and the splendor of autumn.