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Cyclist on gravel bike in autumnal forest.

How to dress for autumn cycling

Autumn weather is difficult to dress for – it can feel like a lovely summer’s day one minute and plunge into winter the next. With evenings drawing in, your warm afternoon ride can start to feel chilly sooner than you expect. Choosing the right clothing for a ride when the weather is unpredictable is tricky, but with a few mix and match items you can stay warm, dry and comfortable.

Autumn is a much tougher proposition to dress for than winter when the temperature doesn’t fluctuate as much throughout the day. In autumn the temperature can hit summer-like highs at mid-day but cool down rapidly as the day goes on. With huge temperature variations possible throughout your ride the key to comfort is layering; having items of clothing that you can put on or take off as the weather changes. We’ve come up with a kit-list of items to add to your basic shorts and jersey combo that will see you through autumn until the real cold of winter arrives.

 

Knee and arm warmers

Transform your shorts into full-length cover and add sleeves to your jersey with these simple, but indispensable, pieces of kit. Knee and arm warmers come in different fabrics for different conditions – windproof, thermal, shower resistant and even SPF sun-protection –but you can’t go wrong with a basic pair of fleece lined warmers. Perfect for chilly mornings, you can start your ride wearing them but slip them off as the day warms up as they are light enough to roll up and store in a pocket. Merino knit ones like these are a good choice, or soft and cosy fleece lined ones like these are great on cold days.

 

Lightweight jacket

Every rider needs a thin yet protective lightweight jacket that can be balled-up to put in a pocket yet provides enough coverage to keep the wind out and warmth in. This style of jacket is useful for keeping warm in the first 30 minutes of a chilly morning ride but can be slipped off and stowed as you start to heat up. Thin jackets are great for slipping on while sitting in the café, or an extra layer if the weather gets worse unexpectedly. If you commute, keep one permanently in your work bag.  Described here as a race cape this jacket has plenty of protection for when the weather turns bad but is still small enough to keep in a pocket or pack. It’s a daily essential in every season.

Gilet for core protection

Similar to an emergency jacket but minus the sleeves, a gilet is designed to offer protection for your core against wind and rain. Your chest takes the brunt of wind and rain as you ride along and by keeping your chest and stomach protected it can help your whole body feel a lot cosier. A gilet is enough to keep you warm, but not too warm, when there is a light breeze or shower on an otherwise pleasant autumnal day. A very thin layer like this one is perfect for when it’s just a touch too cool to be comfortable in a jersey.

 

Versatile base layers

Your next-to-skin layer is the foundation of your outfit, changing your base layers for different conditions is just as important as your choice of outer layers. Stocking up your cycling wardrobe with a few different base-layers is also a cheaper way to adapt your clothing to different seasons. For example, swapping a short-sleeve mesh vest for a long-sleeve merino base layer can allow you to comfortably wear the same long sleeve jersey right through to winter.

 

Thin long finger gloves

Keeping your hands warm is important for you to be able to feel the brakes and control your bike. Many riders really struggle with keeping their hands warm while cycling, mainly because your hands are sat on the bars cutting through the cold wind the whole time you are riding. Thin long fingered gloves are useful especially when cycling in cool mornings or evenings. A pair like these are easy to carry with you, ready to slip on if your fingertips start to feel a bit icy. With a bit of good weather, we can hopefully leave the thick cumbersome winter gloves in the drawer for a bit longer.

A few extra items will add versatility to your cycling wardrobe so you can ride comfortably in a wider range of temperatures and conditions, keeping you going until it’s time to dig your big jacket and bib-tights out.

 

What is your favourite piece of autumn cycling kit?

For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.