Meteorological and Gregorian Autumn rarely start at the same time. Nor does any seasonal transition for that matter. Anyway, the first few rows on the calendar, that denote the start of Autumn, can often overlap with summer’s last few days. September can often be one of the more pleasant months of the year. With it, bringing settled weather more often than not and slightly more bearable temperatures to that of June through August.
My local trails tend to bear this equilibrium in perfect riding conditions. Although generally still warm (not hot), the slightly cooler temperatures of September combined with a small amount of precipitation is enough to soften the edges of the concrete solid clay soils of the Cotswolds to form our take on Hero Dirt. This was particularly poignant after the summer we’ve just had, where the trails actually became so dry they passed concrete hard to become sand. With a sprinkling of rain, the trails are better for it; taking the edge of the dust bowl and bringing it all back together. It’s a bit like short pastry. Not sticky. Not hard. Just perfect. As such, they provide remarkable levels of grip; grin inducing.
On Bredon Hill, this is no more pleasing than when traversing some of the more earthy sections, particularly the trails on the northern side, for example the two main descents down in to Elmley Castle - known locally as Doctor’s Wood and Two Bridges - and also the top section of the main Bredon side descent - Bredon Hill DH - all of which become proper rail-able.
Whilst it may be great riding down them during the summer - and it is simply a pleasure to get from top to bottom without being caked in cow shit for a few months - September is where they get really good.
Unfortunately, it does not last. Before long, that equilibrium is thrown out of balance as the scales tip back and the consistency of the trails become more like a bread dough. What was summer becomes, officially, Autumn. As well as the earthy trails becoming soft as s**t, there are a number of grassy sections off the top of the hill, which become sloppy after the Indian Summer has passed its best. Down in to Ashton-Under-Hill is a particular route of note. Its topography is, well, straight down but the top starts off very green and, in the more moist conditions of mid-Autumn, it becomes something more akin to slick rock. A dab on the brakes can have you sliding the rest of way down on your arse. Clearly, then, the trick is to leave off the brakes; the problem is it shoots you in to a technical, rocky chute and modulation of speed on entry to this is a particularly necessary requisite. The dilemma is cute slide on my arse or risk a flat. The jeopardy of the latter is generally more rewarding - assuming you don’t flat, of course.
Despite the long streak of crap up my back (a typical marker of a damp ride), I actually quite like the season. As much as I love summer, by mid September I am actually starting to look forward to riding in the mud and leaf litter. I get a strange, masochistic enjoyment from being out in the mild, even cold and damp conditions of autumn. By October, I’m actually ready to get out there and get filthy.
Autumn isn’t really about riding fast, or slow for that matter. Or worrying about whether one will come home looking like a mud pie. It’s more about the experience. The colour explosion of the early days of Autumn is something genuinely beautiful - and the mud pack will help with the complexion. The Red, Orange, Yellow and Brown tones become ever more vibrant over the early weeks as the trees react angrily to the weakening strength in the suns light and warmth. Whilst it still has some warmth, it provides a pleasant reminder of the summer past and a gentle introduction/preparation of that, which is yet to come.
This is a very short but intense period in the year and provides some great riding conditions but we are, obviously, heading inexorably towards another winter and, before long, the wet stuff will set in and that’s it for the year. It is interesting hearing the metaphor “its all downhill from here” used to described the turn towards winter. Unlike Spring, where, like the namesake, the seasons appears to ‘spring’ out from behind the cloak of winter over the course of a single day, winter is more like a black hole, slowly pulling you in to its depths with a purposeful power much like gravity. The gradual deterioration from summer to winter is seamless; to the point where you almost forget what summer felt like. Those warm, pleasant days of late September (even early October on some occasions; even November going back one year, I can recall) give way to the chill and onset of winter.
For the most part, the north side trails mentioned earlier - down in to Elmley Castle and some of the wooded sections at the top of the hill become treacherous and boggy to the point that they become un-rideable - or not worth riding at anyroot. From mid October/early November, these trails are simply not not worth the hassle. Plus, in a philanthropic sort of gesture, to maintain their integrity, it is worth avoiding so as not to damage them.
Late Autumn can be pleasant, with early morning frosts giving way to midday pleasantness. Clear blue days are still an enjoyable experience but the whole freezing and thawing thing manages to produce some kind of cake mix that is virtually un-rideable, particularly in the Cotswolds. Claggy, heavy, clay rich soils; they stick to your tyres and don’t let go. Within ten yards, I can be carrying more weight in mud than my bike actually weighs (and its no lean machine). Route choice becomes an ever increasingly painful affair with badly judged decisions having quite severe consequences on enjoyment and energy. There are times when I would advise simply avoiding the hill all together.
I know i mentioned looking forward to it but… Bredon Hill; there are times in the year, i’ll be honest, when it is simply not worth it. Unfortunately, these conditions are not confined to Bredon Hill either, the Cotswolds is synonymous for being very sticky when wet. As such, it can become quite a chore riding locally at this time of year and the next few months. The time has come to search further afield. Time to get off down the trail centres as these are, at least, fairly reliable. Cwm Carn, I hear you calling!
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