Classic of the Falling Leaves

Italy hosts an annual cycling Classic called the Giro di Lombardia, given the nickname la classica delle foglie morte (the Classic of the Falling Leaves), so called because the ride takes place in mid-October as autumn arrives. 


Well it's not quite mid-October yet and Wales is nothing like Italy but this weekend felt like my own Classic of the Falling Leaves. 

On Saturday I rode a wind-swept 70 miles to Usk, sticking to the flat roads along the south wales coast for the first 30 miles before heading north through the Usk valley.

The strong south-westerly wind blew orange, red and yellow leaves from the trees and onto the roads. Heading from Usk back to Bristol along the B4253 gave Pete and I an autumnal countryside landscape worthy of a Constable painting. The sun came out briefly too, bringing out the colours out in every bit of foliage, warming both the temperature and the pace of the riding. 


In fact, as the wind continued to gust through Sunday and Monday it brought more than just falling leaves. Branches were strewn across Ashton Court and Leigh Woods as I mountain biked on Sunday, and along the B3128 as I commuted back from Clevedon on Monday.


There was something satisfying about noticing the subtle change in weather. Summer is on its last legs, autumn is rapidly approaching and the year is in its maturity. Nature is completing another cycle. It's cool and crisp again and I'm not getting so hot as I cycle around. All too soon the nights will draw in and the mornings will get darker. I'm on borrowed time and need to make the most of the evening light (surely no-one really likes riding in the dark?) so I'm commiting now to at least one long before or after work ride a week. With my new job and long hours it's one of the few things that will keep me sane. It's either that or the dreaded turbo trainer!