Tips to Make the Most of this Autumn on the Ebike
Cycling is a terrific way to unwind in these unpredictable times. However, as winter approaches, we risk forcing our ebikes into hibernation, owing to the harshest weather extremes.
While Autumn riding has unique obstacles, if you’re prepared, getting out and riding may be just as enjoyable as it was a few months ago!
The racing and sportive season comes to an end with the arrival of autumn, but this is still one of our favorite times of year to ride – before the weather changes and winter sets in.
However, riders frequently feel trapped in autumn. Your season’s major goals have gone, whether a race or a day on the sportive calendar. However, it’s not yet time to begin winter training next season.
With that in mind, here are some pointers to help you make the most of fall.
Experiment with new training methods.
Now that your season’s big goals are behind you, being in peak form isn’t as crucial. Consequently, fall allows you to experiment with new training methods without worrying about how they would impact your form for upcoming events.
For example, if you’ve been trying to fit in the hours during the summer due to other responsibilities, try modifying your training to incorporate shorter, sharper sessions – even some high-intensity intervals – along the way.
You could discover that you can get the same form by lowering the volume but raising the intensity. If this succeeds, you may repeat the process next summer, relieving the burden of cramming in as many hours as possible and enabling you to enjoy your riding more than ever.
Other activities to consider are core stability training, sprint intervals, fasted training, and increasing the amount of rest time between sessions. Note how you react to the new training stimulus, and then use what you’ve learned in the future.
Choose the right tires!
Take a look at all of the leaves! Isn’t it lovely? Along with enjoying the fall colors, you should keep an eye on what you’re riding over! When wet, leaves on the road can be slippery, as can drain covers and painted lines. Avoid them if possible, and if you can’t, be extremely cautious and avoid turning or braking as you pass over them.
Darker skies make it more difficult to spot potholes, and rain washes debris onto the roads. A puncture in the making!
The best solution to these problems is investing in larger winter tires with better tread. They will not only provide more grip, but many will also be more puncture resistant. They will somewhat slow you down, but it is a small and worthwhile price for those who are not racing. After all, no one wants to change a tire on the side of the road with freezing hands.
Check to see what size tire your bike can take, as a rubbing tire might cause frame damage.
Experiment with a new discipline.
Even if you are dedicated to riding through fall, it might be challenging to push yourself once the season is over. Many riders instantly shift their focus to the next season and begin planning for the winter, completely disregarding the here and now.
Why not try out a new discipline to keep your motivation high? Cyclo-cross racing is growing more popular and is one of the most accessible kinds of bike racing if you want to satisfy your competitive side.
Cyclo-cross racing is hard and fast, so it’s a wonderful way to maintain peak fitness while simultaneously working on your technique. Even if you don’t want to compete, hacking through the woods or connecting local bridleways is a fun way to spend a couple of hours, especially when it is pouring. The road bike isn’t the best option.
You might, however, attempt any of the available disciplines, such as mountain biking, track cycling, or even cycling speedway. I firmly believe that to be a successful cyclist, you must have a solid all-around skill set. Spending some time sliding about in the mud on a cyclocross bike, for example, can only benefit your road bike abilities – this translates to better bike handling or a faster descender, which can pay off in the long run.
Visibility
The days are becoming shorter! This increases the likelihood of riding in poor light or the dark. You may even find yourself out in foggy weather or (worst case scenario) in the downpour!
Choose the appropriate lights and reflectors to ensure your visibility. Consider the light’s brightness (lumens) and water resistance since these are the most significant elements. If you ride frequently, a USB-chargeable light is smart because you can quickly connect it to a computer while at work. You don’t want your batteries to run out halfway through your commute!
You may also feel secure knowing that all KBO electric bikes include a bright red integrated taillight, a 48V LED headlight, and a backlit display that shows your battery power, speed, and odometer.
Riding in groups
Many riders with an organized training plan with interval sessions, power zones, and tapering forget that one of the primary reasons we got into cycling was to ride with our friends.
While you may have worked hard all spring and summer to be in shape for an event, once the pressure is off, why not get back to basics and ride with your friends? There were no training zones or intervals, just a good old-fashioned group ride.
Autumn is also an excellent time to organize a winter training group. Cold winter rides go considerably faster with a few other cyclists than alone, so check out a few local group rides and discover which one suits you best. You may also try to gather a few buddies who don’t usually ride together and make a habit.
Clothing
Clothes, in addition to making you visible, your clothing should keep you warm! Autumn weather may be unpredictable, and you shouldn’t be shocked if there’s an occasional rainfall.
Look for adjustable clothes that you can remove halfway through a ride. Arm warmers and base layers are fantastic alternatives. A lightweight jacket or gilet will help protect you from the weather, but you can readily remove it. This allows you to remove or put on garments while being comfortable rapidly.
If you plan to ride in the rain, don’t forget to bring a pair of overshoes. No one enjoys riding with damp feet!
Check the weather forecast before each ride. If you’re unsure, always overdress. It is preferable to be too warm rather than too cold, especially during autumn. After a few rides, you’ll know exactly what clothes work best for you!
Bike maintenance
The autumn and winter months are the most difficult on your electric bike. No matter how hard you try, dirt and grit find their way everywhere!
It is critical to clean and inspect your bike regularly for signs of wear. If you take care of your bike, it will take care of you. Maintaining and cleaning your ride can allow you to detect any problems before your trip.
Stay on your bike for as long as possible to cut your winter short.
It’s tough to recall those days on the bike last winter when you were riding in frigid temperatures and driving rain at this time of year, at the tail end of summer.
However, let me assure you that every winter will have its share of cold and dreary days, which will be no surprise to any seasoned biker.
Many cyclists take a little sabbatical after the summer to recharge their batteries, both psychologically and physically. This is something I encourage – it’s necessary to recover after a hectic season – but it also makes sense to take this break after the weather has fully turned and/, or the clocks have changed.
That way, you may take advantage of improved weather at the start of autumn while avoiding some frigid rides and hours on the turbo. Making hay while the sun shines and such.
Continue riding through September and early October, and by the time you’ve had a brief vacation, it’s nearly November, with just roughly four months until next year’s activities begin in earnest.
Continue to drink and eat!
When rushing around in frigid weather, it’s easy to forget that you still need to drink regularly and replenish your energy levels with food.
Despite the lack of thirst, it is critical to replenish the salt and fluids you will undoubtedly lose during your ride. You may become dehydrated regardless of the weather! Suppose you have trouble drinking during a cold ride. In that case, you can add electrolyte pills to your beverages to help with hydration.
Eating is also essential. Cycling may feel less exhausting when not baking in the heat, but your energy levels are still depleted. Bring lots of food with you and eat at regular intervals. You may also try energy bars and gels for an extra energy boost.
Remember that the less energy you have, the colder you will feel!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our fall riding guide and are now able to get even more out of your ebike! Wear a proper jacket and layers, warm up before getting on your ebike, drink enough water throughout your ride, and use lights to ensure you are visible and can see where you are going.
Tips to Make the Most of this Autumn on the Ebike
Cycling is a terrific way to unwind in these unpredictable times. However, as winter approaches, we risk forcing our ebikes into hibernation, owing to the harshest weather extremes.
While Autumn riding has unique obstacles, if you’re prepared, getting out and riding may be just as enjoyable as it was a few months ago!
The racing and sportive season comes to an end with the arrival of autumn, but this is still one of our favorite times of year to ride – before the weather changes and winter sets in.
However, riders frequently feel trapped in autumn. Your season’s major goals have gone, whether a race or a day on the sportive calendar. However, it’s not yet time to begin winter training next season.
With that in mind, here are some pointers to help you make the most of fall.
Experiment with new training methods.
Now that your season’s big goals are behind you, being in peak form isn’t as crucial. Consequently, fall allows you to experiment with new training methods without worrying about how they would impact your form for upcoming events.
For example, if you’ve been trying to fit in the hours during the summer due to other responsibilities, try modifying your training to incorporate shorter, sharper sessions – even some high-intensity intervals – along the way.
You could discover that you can get the same form by lowering the volume but raising the intensity. If this succeeds, you may repeat the process next summer, relieving the burden of cramming in as many hours as possible and enabling you to enjoy your riding more than ever.
Other activities to consider are core stability training, sprint intervals, fasted training, and increasing the amount of rest time between sessions. Note how you react to the new training stimulus, and then use what you’ve learned in the future.
Choose the right tires!
Take a look at all of the leaves! Isn’t it lovely? Along with enjoying the fall colors, you should keep an eye on what you’re riding over! When wet, leaves on the road can be slippery, as can drain covers and painted lines. Avoid them if possible, and if you can’t, be extremely cautious and avoid turning or braking as you pass over them.
Darker skies make it more difficult to spot potholes, and rain washes debris onto the roads. A puncture in the making!
The best solution to these problems is investing in larger winter tires with better tread. They will not only provide more grip, but many will also be more puncture resistant. They will somewhat slow you down, but it is a small and worthwhile price for those who are not racing. After all, no one wants to change a tire on the side of the road with freezing hands.
Check to see what size tire your bike can take, as a rubbing tire might cause frame damage.
Experiment with a new discipline.
Even if you are dedicated to riding through fall, it might be challenging to push yourself once the season is over. Many riders instantly shift their focus to the next season and begin planning for the winter, completely disregarding the here and now.
Why not try out a new discipline to keep your motivation high? Cyclo-cross racing is growing more popular and is one of the most accessible kinds of bike racing if you want to satisfy your competitive side.
Cyclo-cross racing is hard and fast, so it’s a wonderful way to maintain peak fitness while simultaneously working on your technique. Even if you don’t want to compete, hacking through the woods or connecting local bridleways is a fun way to spend a couple of hours, especially when it is pouring. The road bike isn’t the best option.
You might, however, attempt any of the available disciplines, such as mountain biking, track cycling, or even cycling speedway. I firmly believe that to be a successful cyclist, you must have a solid all-around skill set. Spending some time sliding about in the mud on a cyclocross bike, for example, can only benefit your road bike abilities – this translates to better bike handling or a faster descender, which can pay off in the long run.
Visibility
The days are becoming shorter! This increases the likelihood of riding in poor light or the dark. You may even find yourself out in foggy weather or (worst case scenario) in the downpour!
Choose the appropriate lights and reflectors to ensure your visibility. Consider the light’s brightness (lumens) and water resistance since these are the most significant elements. If you ride frequently, a USB-chargeable light is smart because you can quickly connect it to a computer while at work. You don’t want your batteries to run out halfway through your commute!
You may also feel secure knowing that all KBO electric bikes include a bright red integrated taillight, a 48V LED headlight, and a backlit display that shows your battery power, speed, and odometer.
Riding in groups
Many riders with an organized training plan with interval sessions, power zones, and tapering forget that one of the primary reasons we got into cycling was to ride with our friends.
While you may have worked hard all spring and summer to be in shape for an event, once the pressure is off, why not get back to basics and ride with your friends? There were no training zones or intervals, just a good old-fashioned group ride.
Autumn is also an excellent time to organize a winter training group. Cold winter rides go considerably faster with a few other cyclists than alone, so check out a few local group rides and discover which one suits you best. You may also try to gather a few buddies who don’t usually ride together and make a habit.
Clothing
Clothes, in addition to making you visible, your clothing should keep you warm! Autumn weather may be unpredictable, and you shouldn’t be shocked if there’s an occasional rainfall.
Look for adjustable clothes that you can remove halfway through a ride. Arm warmers and base layers are fantastic alternatives. A lightweight jacket or gilet will help protect you from the weather, but you can readily remove it. This allows you to remove or put on garments while being comfortable rapidly.
If you plan to ride in the rain, don’t forget to bring a pair of overshoes. No one enjoys riding with damp feet!
Check the weather forecast before each ride. If you’re unsure, always overdress. It is preferable to be too warm rather than too cold, especially during autumn. After a few rides, you’ll know exactly what clothes work best for you!
Bike maintenance
The autumn and winter months are the most difficult on your electric bike. No matter how hard you try, dirt and grit find their way everywhere!
It is critical to clean and inspect your bike regularly for signs of wear. If you take care of your bike, it will take care of you. Maintaining and cleaning your ride can allow you to detect any problems before your trip.
Stay on your bike for as long as possible to cut your winter short.
It’s tough to recall those days on the bike last winter when you were riding in frigid temperatures and driving rain at this time of year, at the tail end of summer.
However, let me assure you that every winter will have its share of cold and dreary days, which will be no surprise to any seasoned biker.
Many cyclists take a little sabbatical after the summer to recharge their batteries, both psychologically and physically. This is something I encourage – it’s necessary to recover after a hectic season – but it also makes sense to take this break after the weather has fully turned and/, or the clocks have changed.
That way, you may take advantage of improved weather at the start of autumn while avoiding some frigid rides and hours on the turbo. Making hay while the sun shines and such.
Continue riding through September and early October, and by the time you’ve had a brief vacation, it’s nearly November, with just roughly four months until next year’s activities begin in earnest.
Continue to drink and eat!
When rushing around in frigid weather, it’s easy to forget that you still need to drink regularly and replenish your energy levels with food.
Despite the lack of thirst, it is critical to replenish the salt and fluids you will undoubtedly lose during your ride. You may become dehydrated regardless of the weather! Suppose you have trouble drinking during a cold ride. In that case, you can add electrolyte pills to your beverages to help with hydration.
Eating is also essential. Cycling may feel less exhausting when not baking in the heat, but your energy levels are still depleted. Bring lots of food with you and eat at regular intervals. You may also try energy bars and gels for an extra energy boost.
Remember that the less energy you have, the colder you will feel!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our fall riding guide and are now able to get even more out of your ebike! Wear a proper jacket and layers, warm up before getting on your ebike, drink enough water throughout your ride, and use lights to ensure you are visible and can see where you are going.