Why Mountain Biking in the Fall is the Best!

The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and the trails are running mint. There are golden hues and even more golden hours, plus some of the best trail conditions out of the entire season... Fall riding is seriously the best! We’re fortunate in Alberta to have some primo riding before the snow hits, but we’re also not alone. "All time, fall time" is a sacred experience across much of the northern hemisphere. If you aren't already on board, just read on, and I'll do my best to make you a member of the crispy leaves and tacky trails club.

3 reasons why fall is the best time to ride your bike:

• It's the perfect temperature for riding, with the help of the right gear. The cooler fall air means less overheating, but it also means you have to layer with a bit more intent — with the right layers of clothing, you can stay comfortable no matter what you're doing.
• Trail conditions are mint! Those blown-out dust bowls from the summer months are gone, thanks to the light sprinkle of rain. Even a dusting of morning snow is fine, since the trails tack up perfectly once the sun comes out in the afternoon.
• Riding areas are less crowded. The changing seasons will have fair-weather riders and hikers hiding out at home, while we layer up and enjoy what's left of the pristine riding season on our own.

Now that we've gone over the merits of riding in the fall, check out some recommendations to help make the most of it:

Layering

As the days get shorter, your rides may start with a brisk temperature that continues to dip as the sunlight wanes. To be best prepared, opt for packable layers that you can easily put on or take off. The best layering system includes a moisture-wicking baselayer to keep sweat off your skin — we recommend ones made from natural fibres like merino, and the 7Mesh Desperado line is a great option. Then top it off with a packable wind or rain shell you can peel off when you warm up. You can opt for the Copilot for a heavier waterproof layer, or the Northwoods windshell that has stow straps. Or if the weather is feeling balmy, just add a vest over your baselayer, like the Akta Trail Vest.

With your core covered, add some accessories to keep your extremities warm, like gloves — bonus points if they’re partially insulated like the shop favourites: 100% Brisker. Next up, merino socks are a must for keeping the digits toasty, even when wet. Lastly, a good pair of weatherproof riding shoes goes a long way — we have some great options from Shimano, like the GE900GTX, and more warmer options from 45NRTH for once the snow flies.

Dialling in Your Tire Setup

A couple of tweaks can vastly improve your riding on autumn trails. If your front tire is looking a little worn after the summer months, try opting for a replacement with chunkier knobs, like the Maxxis Shorty, for extra wet riding conditions, or the Schwalbe Shredda for deeper mud on soft terrain. For riding in Alberta, we tend to use the Maxxis High Roller V3, Continental Argotal or Schwalbe Magic Mary, as our conditions are more variable. Dropping your tire pressure by a few PSI can help too — it’s like a cheat code to get more grip on softer trails. Try a tubeless setup if you're not already running one; it also helps with punctures and lets you run lower PSI than standard tubes.

Lighting

It may seem like an obvious, easy-to-reach item as the days get shorter, but not just any light will do. Unlike riding in the city, where you want to be seen by others, trail riding requires more illumination of the trail ahead. Battery run time, lumens, beam quality, and shape are all things to consider. Having both a light on your bars and one on your helmet will greatly improve your visibility when looking around corners and over obstacles.

Check out our light comparison chart which includes all of the front light options we're currently stocking, and shop our selection of lights here!

Reading the Trails

It’s important to be mindful when riding on leaves as they blanket the trail, hiding roots, rocks and slick spots — plus they can be slippery themselves. It’s also a good idea to watch out for changing trail features, not just conditions. Fall is a great time for trail crews to put in work since the ground isn’t frozen yet and there are fewer riders out. Check for trail updates before you head out, and bring a rake if you want some extra trail karma points. TrailForks, your local trail association, and community Facebook groups are all great ways to stay up to date on conditions.

Post Ride

After a chilly ride, nothing beats a hot drink — bring along an insulated mug for the post-ride hot chocolate in the parking lot.

Once you get home, make it a habit to wash off your bike and lube your chain before it goes back in the garage. Future-you, and your bike, will thank you! Our personal favourite is the Muc-Off line of cleaners and degreasers — their concentrates and powder lines help eliminate wasteful plastic, and they’re biodegradable. A good lube is important too; we’ve been using Blube Lube around the shop lately.

Finally, if your bike has been through a long summer of riding, book an end-of-season tune-up to prepare for winter storage and the transition to fat-biking season. You’ll thank yourself in the spring when your bike is in tip-top shape to shred right away.

Feeling inspired and want to find some new fall gear? Shop our All Time, Fall Time collection!