MTB Riding In The Autumn Months

Here in the UK, it’s around this time of year when we see the warmer summer months disappearing behind us, with the autumn and winter months heralding new and sometimes more difficult conditions to ride in. Although many mountain bike riders mourn the loss of the summer months - autumn throws up some brilliant opportunities for riding. Although daylight hours are short, there are plenty of trails which can still be ridden, and cross country rides to be enjoyed. More adventurous riders embrace the challenges that these months throw up, whilst almost all of us will miss the hard packed trails of the summer months, which allow maximum pump, maximum grip and more forgiving ground conditions.

In this post, we look at some of the things you can focus on as a mountain bike rider, with regards to personal skill sets, as well as amendments which can be made to your MTB to prepare it for different weather conditions.

Grips, Pedals & Contact Points

If you enjoy using clipped pedals during the summer months, during the slippier months - it’s well worth considering swapping over to flat pedals, which allow the rider to get their foot down in areas of poor traction. If you are already using flat MTB Pedals, it’s also a good idea to check the pins in the pedals - ensuring they have not snapped off and still provide all important grip.

Grip wise - think about replacing your MTB grips - or at the very least ensuring that the grip on your bike is secure. Being able to rely on good levels of grip from the handlebars will prevent you from clinging on for dear life when the going gets slippy, causing fatigue in your wrists and arms.

Suspension Changes

As the trails soften due to rainfall, the autumn months will also see leaves covering trail surfaces. It’s a good idea to slightly soften the rebound of your shock and forks, which will help cushion impacts that you may not be able to see. Softer suspension will also increase grip levels, whilst also lessening the harshness of any twitchy responses you may take, to changes in trail conditions.

Grippy MTB Tyres

The summer months are pretty forgiving on MTB tyres - after a summer riding on your MTB tyres though, it’s a good idea to replace your MTB rubber. Choose a more aggressive, gnarlier tread pattern for your autumn and winter MTB tyres and also choose a higher volume tyre with a bigger area, allowing you to ride with lower tyre pressures, maximising grip.

Mud Guards

Although mud guards are not the best looking items to bolt onto your bike - they make a big difference in the muddy stuff - and allowing you to not only see what’s ahead of you more clearly, they will also stop your back getting splattered too much.

Foot Position

Many mountain bike riders ride high on their toes in dryer summer conditions, but in wetter conditions found in autumn and winter - consider riding more flat footed, allowing you as a rider to better handle rapid deceleration from riding in muddier, thicker conditions.

Lower Centre Of Gravity

Following on in the same vein as lowering foot position, try and focus on lowering your centre of gravity on the bike. When your MTB slides on mud, roots or off camber - a lower centre of gravity will mean that you are more in control.

Don’t Ride The Brake

It’s very tempting when riding in wet, slippery conditions - to ride the brake on the bike. Although this is a more cautious approach, dragging your brakes on muddy and slippery surfaces can cause your wheels to slip, rather than roll over obstacles. The best way of controlling speed is working to set your speed before the entry point of a trail section, allowing you to maximise grip through it. Accelerating over soft surfaces, as well as obstacles such as roots will allow you to enjoy riding with more grip and control.

Lighten The Front Wheel

Although lightening the burden on the front wheel is useful all year round, it’s especially useful when tackling softer ground, including puddles. As your front wheel hits softer surfaces, it’s all too easy for the wheel to slow and push the rider forward. Drive through the pedals and bars, keeping your body over the rear of the bike whislt accelerating, allowing your front wheel to meet minimal resistance.

Ignore Tyre Tracks

Ignoring previous riders' tire tracks may seem a small detail, but it’s important to choose and select your own route that you are comfortable riding across. Looking for tyre tracks and previously used routes will see you dropping your head and shoulders, and not looking far ahead enough to successfully negotiate tricky terrain. Commit to your lines and make your riding decisions well ahead of you.

Get Out And Enjoy Autumn!

The main thing is to not over analyse riding in autumnal conditions, get out and enjoy one of the most scenic times of year. Get a good autumn and winter season in, and enjoy all of the benefits of being more confident on the bike when summer rolls back around.