What is it like to bicycle in autumn?

Autumn is one of the best times to ride a bicycle. The cool air keeps you from getting too hot, the beauty of the changing seasons surround you, and the humidity is down so you don't get sticky.

I enjoy seeing the change in the local scenery. Gardens lose their colors, squirrels are crazily searching for nuts and seeds to hide away for the winter.  Homes have a quieter look about them since their occupants like the squirrels are preparing to nest for the winter.  The leaves overhead are brilliant in fiery colors; they fall in a lazy rain of yellows, reds, oranges, and browns.

There is one danger that is not often considered in riding a bicycle in autumn. Those beautiful leaves that color the trees blanket yards and roads. When they are wet they are slippery. When they are dry they hide potholes.

I was bicycling a different way home from work and my attention was divided between enjoying the beauty of autumn and looking at the road. I noted patches of leaves on the road and continued past some and through others. I went through a patch of leaves and my front wheel sank about eight inches below the ground. The bike stopped as the rear tire came up. I held onto the handlebar and was thrown into a handstand.  My ribs came back down onto the handlebar while my feet looked for mother earth. The bicycle twisted sideways and lay down like it was playing dead. Falling off I broke my fall with my hands and found myself on all fours.

I was fortunate and thankful that I did not suffer any injury other than bruises. Most people experience a broken wrist from that kind of fall. I surmise that my speed was just under the threshold which would have caused such an injury.

Every season has its beauties and challenges. If you are aware of the challenges and respect the dangers you can enjoy the beauties. 

Bicycle Riding Alternate Routes To and From Work.

It is refreshing to bicycle different routes to work every so often. Bicycle riding the same roads to and from work every day is uninspiring, a little boring, and possibly a little risky.

I have been exploring different routes to and from work and have found a great deal of enjoyment in having variety in choices. Of course, if I am tired after work and I am going home I want a direct route with few hills. If I am feeling good and refreshed I might choose to meander through the shady suburbs and rolling hills of Columbia MD. If I am bored I might explore a new road or path and sometimes an alley to find a different and interesting way to go.

As far as developing my cardiovascular health and well-being I feel it is best to add some variety because my old body gets into a rut and begins to accommodate the exercise instead of being challenged and growing through it. In other words, I feel better if I change my route every so often.

Going different ways keeps commuting on a bike from getting old and mundane. If I am on the same road every day I tend to get mesmerized and forget to pay attention to my surroundings which is a very dangerous thing on a bicycle.

It is fun to say, "Today I will tackle the big hill." and challenge myself; or to say, "Today I will enjoy the shade and see what is happening at the bridge." and let my bike drift on paths through the woods. That is part of the adventure of riding a bike to work- you don't know which way you may go from day to day.

What is The Most Dangerous Bike Ride?

I ride about six miles to work sometimes seven or eight if I take the winding back roads. I ride on paths, and alley ways, suburban streets and busy city streets filled with buses, trucks, and crazy drivers. The most dangerous part of my ride is not the crowded heavy traffic streets, but going through a parking lot.

There is one parking lot that saves me about a half mile and another that gets me past a busy and dangerous intercession, and my final destination is a shopping center where I work with a big parking lot. I have had more near misses with cars in parking lots than on streets.

WHY ARE PARKING LOTS DANGEROUS?
You would think that since we always say, "Speed Kills," that the fast moving traffic is more dangerous, (it is dangerous!) but the parking lot has more going on.

• The cars are backing out without looking far up the lanes.  
• Drivers look around before they get in their car but don't look again before they get moving.
• There is a lot more turning corners and coming around.
• There is generally a lot of confusion about who is where.
• Drivers are arriving with the "I'm here now let's relax." attitude and stop watching out.
• Kids running between cars can knock you down or get knocked down.
• Some lots have speed bumps that throw you off your bike. 
• On a road the cars are coming only from one direction, in a parking lot they come from everywhere. 
• A bicyclist is the last thing the driver is thinking about when they arrive at a parking lot.
• Parking lots are never a "go straight through" they have a lot of turns and twists.
• There is an attitude that rules do not apply in parking lots.

They may not be going high speed but if you hit a car or one hits you it is still potentially lethal.

MY ADVICE:
Avoid Parking lots at all cost. If there is no other way then proceed with the greatest caution. Watch where you are and have a 360 view at all times. If you have a bell or horn don't be afraid about using it. Allow yourself extra time to be safe, and  slow down.

JUST REMEMBER:
Going through a parking lot may save a few minutes, offer variety, and have fewer cars but it is still a place to take VERY seriously.