Lately, it's as likely to rain as not. If you want to get out for a ride going with a fixed gear bike and fenders is the best way to deal with the English weather we've been having lately. With a rain jacket and helmet cover I stay comfortable even in moderate rain. The full wrap fenders keep the spray from the wheels from soaking me down. It's nice to ride straight through a deep puddle without getting a face full. For those not well-known with fixed gear bikes, they have a particular speed that is direct drive. You can't coast on a fixed gear so if the bike is entertaining you are pedaling. If your balance is good adequate you can even ride backwards on them. Fixed gear riding makes for a very efficient workout as you have to pedal the whole time. You don't get those micro breaks on the miniature downhills. You have to stay on the gas for the whole ride.
I don't ride my road bike much in the fall, selecting to mix it up with fixed gear gravel abrasive rides for my long rides and 4X4 intervals on rolling terrain for my hard workouts. The fixie military me to get out of the saddle on hills with any steepness kicking in more muscles. The more muscles complicated the more calories I will burn, which is a big part of my training right now as I'm fat. After a long climb not only my legs burn but my arms and core as well. My fixie is a Raleigh One Way with 35 mm touring tires so it a bit of a pig to get going. The upside is that I can approximately ride it like a mountain bike on light trails and dirt road as well as pavement.
Fixedgear Bike
Fall is a good time to mix up your riding. If you ride road, break out the mountain bike. Mountain bikers can go on long dirt road expeditions or try cyclocross. Or you can get a fixed gear. Find an old road bike at a stable sale and do a conversion or buy a new fixie. Either way it is a great bike to have in the stable to spice up your training and hit the mental refresh button.
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