We really can't complain. OK August was dreadful, but September and October have been absolutely amazing in terms of weather and trail conditions. In fact even now it's damp it's still better than it was two months ago.
What we haven't got though is a lot of light. With the clocks going backwards on Sunday morning we'll have even less daylight to play with. Thing is though, winter riding with the right attitude is a huge amount of fun. Sure having to hose everything - including yourself - down after a ride isn't great. Neither is the numbness gnawing at all your corners or the grit working it's way into every possible orifice. The need to oil chains and replace pads far more frequently has few fans either.
Having the determination - or maybe it's daftness - to go out whatever the weather does get you some big bonuses though. For a start the trails are almost empty. No queues of riders and no grumpy ramblers even on the most popular routes and less traffic on the journey there and back.
You can forget about nettle and bramble choked trails and wasps for a few months too. While mud is certainly a pain on natural trails, frost hardened trails provide some of the most beautiful rapid riding days of all. Stick to the rocky naturals or properly weatherproof man made trails and you'll be rolling on hard stuff not mush anyway. Wherever you ride coming home to tea and cake (or beer and a pie) never tastes better after a cold wet epic either and you can have as much as you want without worrying about working off a gut in spring.
All this is certainly what'll be getting me out for our regular Thursday night ride tonight, however cosy and dozy the increasing darkness outside is making me feel right now. So go on, get some decent lights stick on an extra layer and when the clocks go back, get yourself going forward into some of the best riding of the year.
Have a good one!
Guy