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Two cyclilsts on a wooded path.

Nine reasons why cycling in autumn is much better than you think

Okay, so the clocks have gone back, daylight hours are shorter, you can’t get a cyclist’s tan anymore and it’s colder than the summer. Autumn is rubbish, you muse.

Think again.

For a cyclist, autumn is actually one of the better times of the year to ride: all of those aforementioned perceived negatives can be transformed into positives!

If you’re not convinced, read on and before you know it, you’ll be getting the bike out and hitting the road and trails.

 

  1. It’s the most beautiful time of the year

Andy Williams may sing that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but the festive season can’t compete with autumn when it comes to scenery and nature’s beauty.

The trees gradually go from green to yellow to golden to red, before the branches displace the leaves entirely. The amalgamation of colours is simply spellbinding, especially in forests.

It can be enough to distract you from the road to wander and marvel at nature’s beauty. The summer may have its clear skies, but the autumn has stunning colours — we know which one we prefer!

 

  1. There’s fewer riders on the road and trails

We all enjoy waving at a fellow cyclist as they pass, but traffic can soon build on the busier roads and climbs in the summer — who hasn’t been stuck behind a rider on an ascent in July?

However, come autumn, there are fewer riders out on the road, meaning the climbs and the village sprints are yours for the taking.

Especially if you’re a mountain biker, the trails are much quieter, meaning you can ride them freely without the fear of a rider up ahead stemming your progress.

 

  1. Less riders mean your Strava KOM/QOM stay for longer

If you are good enough to claim a Strava King of the Mountain or Queen of the Mountain title, less riders means that you should, in theory, keep hold of your number one placing for longer! That’s an incentive in itself to get out and ride with pride.

 

  1. You feel hardcore

We’ll be honest: cycling in the rain and wind isn’t too much fun. No one enjoys it. But it’s type two fun!

You moan about the weather while you’re riding, but the moment you’re back and tucking into a hot recovery meal whilst laid across your sofa, you’re bragging about your ride and proclaiming how tough you are to ride in those conditions. “Look at me, who else would do that?”

You get more respect from non-cyclists and cyclists alike, and you know you’re training will help you through the winter. After all, type two fun is just as good as type one fun.

 

  1. Keeps the winter blues away

Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health and immune system, and continuing your riding through autumn will stave off the winter sniffles.

What’s more, riding to work or opting to cycle to your destination instead of taking public transport is more beneficial to your health, as you’re not directly in contact with strangers who might have a cold or the flu.

 

  1. New clothes to wear

We’ve all been there in the summer, when you bemoan your lack of summer riding gear or the fact that it’s in the wash again. The autumn is different: you have more layers to pile on, and it’s refreshing to look different to how you have done for the past six months.

And if you don’t like your winter kit, it’s an excuse to buy some more!

New attire provides a new lease of life.

 

  1. The winter bike comes out

Winter bikes and mudguards have — unfairly — made a bad name for themselves. But if you’re being truthful with yourself, you secretly love your winter bike almost as much as your best bike. It’s been with you through the toughest times and has kept you right. Furthermore, it often has more stories to tell than your carbon fibre summer bike.

It’s a thing of rough beauty — retrieve it and embrace it.

 

  1. Try a new discipline

You may already be a convert, but if not, cyclo-cross is super-fun. You ride around mud trails, sand banks and forests on an adapted road bike and get totally pitted.

It’s like a throwback to childhood and keeps you smiling for the entire duration, with the speed of the road combined with the thrill of adventurous mountain biking.

If you haven’t tried it yet, we’d definitely recommend it.

 

  1. Prepare for the spring training camps

A lot of us go on spring training camps to warmer climes such as Majorca, and there’s nothing worse than turning up questioning your fitness and ability to ride that climb that you’ve been excited about for months! Think of it this way: if the training camp is in preparation for your racing or sportive season, then think of autumn as preparation for the training camp!

 

Convinced? We hope you’re already pulling on your cycling gear and heading out the door… Happy autumn riding!

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.