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I wandered into the garage and realised it was time to check if the diesel heater was working and probable change from shorts and flip flops into jeans and trainers.
The garden shores have changes from cutting grass to sweeping leaves.
The bikes have changed from playing at the Bike Park to Grevel riding in the dark and mostly one the back roads and fire roads rather than across the New Forest bridleways.
Taking the dog for a walk when it's still dark in the morning 🙁
I'd like to say that we've switched from riding on the moors to riding on more hardpack, but to be honest the summer has been so wet that we've been doing that anyway to prevent those disappearing-up-to-the-axles front wheel moments.
My lights are presently on charge
I'm considering the turbo trainer, though happily the weather has been so nice this last week, that has been postponed
The slow cooker is back out. chicken, bacon and leek casserole going on today
I bloody love this time of year!
Daily Vitamin D up from 50ug to 75ug.
Tested the heating and bled the rads.
Wore a gilet to running club.
Eyes slow cooker and Googles "chicken, bacon and leek casserole" recipes
Don't mind dark nights - bloody hate dark mornings though.
Getting up for work in the dark sucks. 😕
@bentandbroken _ I've got it down to a fine art. Its a doddle...
Cook your onions and leeks so they're nice and soft, then add bacon (instead of bacon I use a gammon steak, cut up - its chunkier and far nicer), then the key ingredient - I use a tin of condensed chicken soup as stock, add in plenty of mixed herbs and black pepper, then pop some whole whole chicken thighs in. Leave to cook all day until the chicken is falling apart. Delicious with some nice crusty bread (Morrisons salt and pepper bread is the best!) for dipping! 😀
Not much, we're in Cor-bloody-fu!
Chin, chin!
Some washing got blown off the line
Grit season starting
Starting to think I'm not gonna get a dry few days to let me mow the (overgrown) lawn now.
It’s been autumn since June here in the north east so no change.
I can feel my mood darkening with the decrease in daylight🫤
It's unseasonably warm in Sheffield. No heating yet, still walking to work and back every day. No change yet.
I think someone mentioned it above but more slow cooked stews. Coming back from a walk with the whole house full of the smell of a beautiful stew. Eaten with thick slices of tiger bread.
So far the local trails have been unusually dry for the time of year so I've been out most evenings making the most of it before it all turns to slop. Will see what happens if we get the forecasted rain over the next few days.
The real dread is setting in, I really struggle with the short amounts of daylight. I love an Autumn day in the sun, but outside of that I'm anxious over the approaching winter months.
The real dread is setting in, I really struggle with the short amounts of daylight. I love an Autumn day in the sun, but outside of that I’m anxious over the approaching winter months.
same here, while the sun is out like today it's ok, but the days are shortening noticeably now, and the hour change is the worse, it'll be dark around 4 in December, earlier if it's cloudy, and lightish in the mornings around half eight or nine, pretty grim... I wish I could hibernate from November to February!
The leaves they are a falling
Spotted the Christmas aisle in the local supermarket.
Looking forward to the muddy wet Sunday dog walks that finish at the local. Nice pint of ale while sitting next to the log burner.
And you don't get hoards of kids running round a beer garden as they are holed up inside on the XBox.
It's still 30 degrees here in Spain. Factor 50 suncream and short sleeves after-work ride tonight.
Just about finished picking berries and freezing them. Made Sloe gin for a winter warmer. Made sure that the wood pile is dry and i'm another one looking at hearty stew and dumplings recipes! I do love Autumn.
The Stig's favourite song.
Started using the mini SAD light on my pc desk.
Agonising over where to try and ride to in the South Downs for the first time this year, before weather stops play until likely next spring.
Bit windy out there...
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As above, I love Autumn..
Summer bike cleaned and stuck up in the attic,all the Winter gear dragged down and checked over,some going straight to recycling. A big list of Shed projects for the dark months,and booking events for next year..it's all good 👍
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjG4dUlucVw
39 on the beach here yesterday (Las Palmas, GC).
I had a couple of excellent rides last week, Cannock Chase and Staffordshire/Shropshire roads, but the few days away that we'd hoped to take in Northumberland this week looked a bit iffy weather wise and as a result we're currently enjoying a great lunch near the castle in Ibiza town before catching our flight home this evening. A bit sunburnt but everything comes with its price.
My instagram is full of sunrises and sunsets as I am seeing them every day at the moment. Probably mildly more interesting than the guff I usually post.
It’s been autumn since June here in the north east so no change.
North East of where? It was 19°C here in Newcastle yesterday!
Starting to think about the softshell and longs for the commute. De-humidifier already on in the garage (keeps tools and bikes warm and dry).
Trails are getting muddier but the heat isn't screwing me up every time I go outside so I'm happy. I also enjoy riding in the rain so that helps. Outside of riding it doesn't make much difference to me really.
Been using the lights for commuting for a few weeks already. first night ride last weekend off road was fun though as decent fast conditions just a bit dark.
Other than that business as normal really. When the clocks change at the end of the month is the real kicker though, i tend to hibernate by default then!
The M&S vests are primed and ready for Thursday. Thursday is the meteorological Autumn here in the SE.
The classic white vest is awesome. Invisably warm during the day, doubles as Pyjama top at night, and if you happen to be in the office when its hijacked, your a little way prepared for hero status already.
I was out for a run earlier and decided it's time to start wearing gloves again.
The classic white vest is awesome. Invisably warm during the day, doubles as Pyjama top at night, and if you happen to be in the office when its hijacked, your a little way prepared for hero status already
Asian Dawn? I read about them in time magazine
North East of where? It was 19°C here in Newcastle yesterday!
Well quite, 19 and cloudy/damp/windy. Which is basically what is been like since the end of May.
Think I was 10 or 11 when I last wore a vest! 🙂
Seem to be getting itchy eyes due to hay fever, also able to ride mid day as it not 30+ 🙂
Do need the funky decathlon riding string vest for the mornings but still in bib shorts and short sleeves.
A timely thread! Just popped the first Stifado of the season in the oven. Should be ready tennish....
The last time we had mid 20s well into October, I remember it changed suddenly and snowed on the 1st November.
The snow stayed on the ground until April....
Baby Lizards frozen in their tracks, like Pompeii dogs....
I'm not in the place I usually am fitness wise. I blame a full golf membership so will be rolling that down to associate member next year.
So Autumn for me is getting on my bike this AM to remind myself how much I enjoy my own little pootle in the woods just in time to not be able to rid in them again until April at best! Never have liked my gravel bike (heavy, steal, no fun) so going to get it ready and use on the many gravel tracks we have around here (West Berkshire) - it either earns it's place in the shed or it goes
SAD lamp is blasting me at breakfast and I'm trying to eat more fruit and veg. I just decline at this time of year...****ing Christmas lurking on the horizon too 🙁
To paraphrase Billy-Joe badly 'wake me up when this shitty 5 months ends'
Caramelized red onion in that chicken casserole for extra man points.
Then wind in 4 sticks of celery. Adds a subtle pepperyness and slightly reduces the calories.
Button mushrooms also go well. And sweet corn. Almost no need for carbs on the side
In Peebles today - no queue at Caldwells. Result.
The getting dark early thing has really caught me by surprise and given my mood somewhat of a knock. Hopefully next week's trip to Wales will help kick the grumps into touch!
Hate autumn/winter, working twelve hour night shifts and about two hours travelling means I only get to see daylight at the weekends.
Not looking forward to this winter with all the sh1t going on in my life at the moment.
Not much has changed around these parts except for it getting darker.
Did go on a run last week thinking it was about to turn into a mud fest locally, but trails are generally still prime (Leeds)
I hate riding in filthy conditions...would way rather run or walk.
I find it a lot easier to cope with autumn / winter since covid and mostly wfh. A lot easier to get out at lunch for some daylight, and also no dark horrible commutes
Seriously thinking about ditching the shorts for this year. First dog walk needing a torch to find her poo was this week.
I've returned to wearing cycling baggies instead of lightweight sports shorts and ultra-thin t-shirts while riding on the commutes to and from work for the past week. Think Sunday was around 24C here, a few degrees cooler today though, but still shorts and t-shirt at work.Hoping to get some good sunset photographs of the commute home but was just dull and grey this afternoon.
SAD hits me in January usually. Christmas breaks I usually do a project - three years ago it was an Arcade Cabinet, year after respray and refurb one of my 30 year old Road Bikes, last year, refurb and respray my old 90's MTB which had been used for all sorts.
I have run out of jobs for this next Xmas break.
The classic white vest is awesome. Invisably warm during the day, doubles as Pyjama top at night, and if you happen to be in the office when its hijacked, your a little way prepared for hero status already
Asian Dawn? I read about them in time magazine
This combination deserved more credit than it got and currently showing on itv4. 🙂
Although you are a season ahead I believe as white vests, Christmas hats and machine guns are for Christmas.
The M&S vests are primed and ready for Thursday.<br /><br />
I’ve got a bunch of Uniqlo vest/tank tops that I bought several years ago for wearing during the colder months, because I was working outside for 11-12 hours a day. But with the increasingly warmer weather generally I’ve taken to wearing them with shorts most of the time. Means there’s a lot more of me with a tan than is pasty blue-white. <br />Then all I need to do is add more layers as the temperature drops.
Other than that, retirement means no more 5am alarm and going to work and coming home in the dark.
Autumn in the Ligurian alps ain't so bad...
Was riding in the park in just a t-shirt last Saturday.
Was a bit cooler today, just 26°C. Was 28°C yesterday.
I've been sat outside ridding myself of tan lines since Sunday. As such I've got a sunburnt penis.
Liberally applying aloe vera.
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I had to Google Asian Dawn as it didn’t trigger my memory, luckily I didn’t do that in front of my wife.
Although you are a season ahead I believe as white vests, Christmas hats and machine guns are for Christmas.
Meh, I’m basking in the under polo shirt white vest glory right now with my morning coffee, it’s one of life’s unspoken utilitarian luxury’s yet unfairly victim of society’s mirth IMO.
Liberally applying aloe vera.
That's your excuse then...
😉
It's the greyness that gets me ... dark mornings, dark evenings, and dark days in between. Otherwise, I'm OK with Autumn. Forecast for the next few days is chilly but a good bit of sun. Trails still running OK in Leeds.
I'm OK with riding in a bit of wet/slop, but the longer it goes on, the harder it is to 'enjoy' riding. If it ends up wetter than usual this autumn/winter, think I'll 'let go' of riding and give running a bit more of a priority.
23 degrees tuesday, 12 degrees yesterday. very noticeable, fat bike season has begun.
It’s the greyness that gets me
I never used to be bothered by the change of seasons. I always loved cold, wet and windy conditions, especially as I have never coped with hot weather well. As I've got older that's changed. The thing that always stands out for me is when the grass verges on roads/pavements noticeably turn from green to grey/black. It's always a joy when I notice they have returned to green every spring/summer. Funny how the really small things stand out more.
And now I am sat in my office at home in just a pair of shorts as MrsWCA has decided it is Autumn so has turned the heating on. I estimate it is now somewhere in the high 20's
Still clinging on to shorts and t-Shirt for homeworking here. Have a feeling the heating might be going on in the next week or so.
Still in summer gear on the commute. This morning was a bit nippy on the old fingers - MTB full fingers will be out next week I think. You can tell it's getting cooler, by the lack of dripping wet gear when I get changed. Looking at getting some clip on guards for the CX, mainly for some winter road miles as it's slop round here now. Also means I'm not taking the vintage road bikes out when the roads are salty.
Fitted the front, rear and downtube mudguards the other weekend. Glad I did as I'm not covered in mud when I pop out for a quick ride. Looks lovely today so trying to work out where to drop in a cheeky ride. Busy day so will probably have to be after work.
End of the walk this morning.
Until last night it has been really warm and bone dry in the South East, proper shorts and T shirt weather. We're now having a mini monsoon, but still very mild.
Mornings are noticeably darker though...
First frost this morning
Filled with dread for the relentless mud involved with a shaggy dog with 3 walks a day and all of my interests involving being out in amongst it.
Love this time of year but hate what it's going to bring 😐
****ing gutted that a bout of Covid has taken me out of any riding over the last week when the weather and conditions have been prime. 3 days off isn't quite the same when you're sick. I'd really been looking forward to the nice weekend too.
At least I'm not more ill I suppose.
I will be swapping the rear tyre for something a bit more knobbly than the Rock Razor that's on there currently. Would have been great all of last week but yesterday's extensive dampening may mean it's best put away till late spring.
New knobbies on the FS, older knobbies from FS to HT. New bearings and rear tyre for the Rigid SS.
Never got out tyke-packing this year. Little one says he likes it when it's cold, so I'm on the lookout for a dry night.
Away with work for 2 weeks on Monday, expecting Full Autumn when I get back!
Apples in and stored, sod all left in the vegetable patch apart from kale, dried fruit being soaked in brandy for the Christmas cake, mincemeat made and maturing. Leaves already need clearing from the path.
I no longer sit in an office, I am working outside.
Even during my time off from work I am outside either walking, cycling or camping as much as possible. I dont get on very well being indoors, especially for long periods of time.
@binners - “chicken, bacon and leek casserole” done for the second time. Lovely 😀
The local pub ( or one if tbem) has gone to its autumn menu. Had some fine slow cooked oxcheeks tonight. Truly yummy.
Its time for rich food
Oh and eff Christmas
I've done my first slow cooked belly pork of the Autumn and have a nice cup of dripping in the fridge for late night munchies. Post ride recovery drink will soon be switching from beer to Bovril.
Haven't rode for coming up to 4 weeks now, as the nights started to draw in I was no longer able to squeeze a ride in after work, I'm 6 weeks into a new job which has been a bit of a cluster which sapped a load of my energy which didn't help, weekends have been really busy with family duties and chores, errands etc and decking out my home office as this job is fully remote.
I notice I hate winter more the less excercise I do, walking the dog doesn't quite hit the spot either. Got a beef stew on the go this morning to have some dumplings with this evening and planning for a quiet and relatively dry weekend so I can get some time in on the bike.
Looking forward to seeing how I get on with my new saddle which I fitted a good few weeks back, was getting a sore backside and numbness from my WTB rocket which started off great and has slowly been causing me more and more discomfort. Went to LBS which is a specialized dealer and got my cornhole measured on a fancy stool, few questions about riding style later and I left with a Power Arc Expert saddle, hoping it's the answer to all my issues as it was bloody expensive and made my wallet whimper, but hey if it means I can ride for longer, comfier with no numbness anywhere then it will be worth it
EDIT: I know I should get some lights for after work riding, but it feels like a minefield. I know exposure are the best, but how old is too old if looking S/H? What cheep and cheerful alternatives are there? Something I'm still trying to figure out