LET’S MAKE AUTUMN AWESOME!

The year may be drawing to a close, but you can still keep the stoke high

Summer’s over, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to be! Whether you’ve got leftover annual leave to use up or just want to make the most of the rest of the year, there are plenty of reasons to be excited. Here are our top tips for having an awesome autumn…

Seek out new trails

The UK is home to some fantastic riding, and we’ve bundled a ton of it into our 2020 Trail Centre Guide, free with this issue. If you’re looking for inspiration, you’ll no doubt find somewhere that’ll spark your interest, and exciting new trails may be closer than you think.

Enjoy a late-season break

Of course you’ll need to check the latest travel restrictions, but if you’re determined to get abroad, countries such as Spain (p55) host MTB holidays in the autumn because their weather is too hot for it during the summer, while in the Alps, e-bikes now provide a great alternative to chairlift uplifts in the off season (p62). The trails are less busy at this time of year too.

Try bikepacking

We get that wild camping after a long day in the saddle isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s something enticing about bedding down under the stars, being self-sufficient and taking time to appreciate nature. With numerous apps and books available, it’s easy to find great routes. and the kit isn’t as costly as it used to be. Even better, there’s no reason you can’t do it on any half-decent bike.

Plan the trip of a lifetime

Now’s the perfect time to plan that dream bike holiday, whether it’s the thought of a summer in Whistler that gets you excited (p46), or the chance to do some exploring off the beaten track. Given a chance to travel anywhere, we’d tour around New Zealand… and Canada... and Chile... Don’t get us started!

Head north of the border

If you’re looking for an alpine-style adventure without boarding a plane, Scotland should be top of your list. Gondola access at Fort William and chairlifts at Glencoe will give you that big-mountain feeling, and the trails are as impressive as their foreign equivalents. If you’re not up for such gravity-fuelled excitement, Scotland’s awe-inspiring landscapes, with numerous natural trails and open-access rights for bikers within the Highlands, can make you feel like you’re riding in another world.

Take a UK roadtrip

It may not be quite as glamorous as a trip to Morzine, Whistler or Finale Ligure, but gathering up a mate or two, chucking some bikes in the back of the van/car and hitting the road for a few days is a good way to shake off the post-summer blues and may well turn out to deliver the thrills you’ve been looking for. Just lay off the Ginsters!

Embark on an epic ride

Why not tackle an epic ride this autumn? It’s one of the most scenic times of the year, and you may even luck-out with an Indian summer. If you’ve been eyeing something up, now’s the ideal time to do it. Snowdon is on our bucket list, and a coast-to-coast trip across Scotland, but maybe not in one go!

Go night riding

The clocks change at the end of October, so now’s the time to start getting kitted out for some night rides. Decent lights are essential (p98). Apart from that, all you really need is a sense of adventure. If you haven’t done it before, night riding can be a spooky blast, and brilliant fun. Just ask those who do it regularly.

Get some coaching

If you’ve got a spare day or two, why not treat yourself to some skills coaching? You can always progress your riding, no matter how good (or bad!) you are. Not only will you be outside on your bike all day, but you’ll also be learning some pro tips to crank your riding up a level. Win-win.