Autumn Ebiking
Ebiking in Autumn, during September and October, is one of the nicest periods of the year. The weather is cooler and can be more stable, plus the cycling paths are less busy. The best part is that everyone seems much less frantic now that the height of summer has passed.
There are a couple of things to consider for cycling in Autumn. Firstly you need to decide where to go, and secondly, you need to think about what you must take.
Where to go
My favourite spots in Autumn are Slovenia, Tuscany in Italy and Southern Austria. With fewer people and cars on the roads, it increases the areas to cycle. The changing season brings a wealth of colour, and harvesting the vineyards and other crops makes for great-tasting food and wine. What part of that would be a boring holiday?
Slovenia
I would suggest the Goriška Brda region, their wine-growing area in Slovenia. It is incredibly pretty and a real smorgasbord of fruits and vineyards. It is relatively unknown, and the cycling is nice and hilly, and the views are right down into Italy to the Adriatic beyond.
https://ebike-europe.com/colours-of-goriska-brda-slovenia/
Austria
I suggest the Steiermark (Styria) region. This is one of the wine-growing areas known as the “Green Heart” of Austria. I refer to it as the “Farmers Basket” as it is bursting with fields of crops, including their famous pumpkins from which they make their renowned Pumpkin Oil. Once you have tasted it, you will never forget it.
https://ebike-europe.com/routes/styria-wine-region-of-austria/
Italy
Finally, Italy is an excellent choice for Autumn ebiking. Tuscany is our most visited area during Autumn as firstly it’s Italy and secondly, it has terrific wines, food, language and an incredible coastline. We visited the coast of Tuscany a couple of years ago for the first time and fell in love. Since then, we do a 2-centre holiday with some time in the heart of Tuscany and then make our way to the coast.
https://ebike-europe.com/routes/campaglia-val-dorcia-tuscany/
Autumn Ebiking – things to do
You can stop for long leisurely lunches in these areas at Agriturismo (Italy & Slovenia) or Buschenschank (Austria). This is usually a vineyard or specialist farm where they only sell what they produce. This means platters of meats and cheese washed down with homemade juices or their wine; it is a highlight and one to experience. Just don’t drink and cycle!
Another benefit to cycling in late summer is the glut of fruit in the hedgerows that you can help yourself to. Just make sure they are not in a private garden. Blackberries and apples are everywhere at this time of year. Foraging for your dessert is always fun and tastes much better than anything you can buy.
The first weekend of October in Tuscany is the famous L’EroL’Eroicas://eroica.cc/en/gaiole. This is where cycling enthusiasts come to celebrate cycling from years past. Dressing in all the retro gear and only riding bikes that are 40 years or older. Why, you may ask? Well, it looks fantastic; they cycle routes on the famous Strada Bianca, bringing people together to chat about a sport they love.
https://ebike-europe.com/tuscany-a-colourful-treat/
Packing for Autumn Ebiking
Your packing needs more thought for ebiking in Autumn, as the mornings can be cool, and you can get a little damp with dew on the ground. A few more layers are a good idea, and take a rain jacket just in case. Temperatures can plummet from the high 20s into the early teens once the sun slips behind a cloud or a mountain. It can mean stopping and starting to put on or remove layers, but it is worth it. Just remember to pack your layers at the top of your panniers.
You will need to take a mixture of shorts and longer trousers, maybe some arm warmers and a jacket for the evenings. Just ensure they are lightweight, so you only have a little extra weight to carry in your panniers.
Top Tips
The top tip to consider when cycling in Autumn is the variety of temperatures. Therefore, planning your route is a good idea. Try not to cycle in valleys early morning or later in the afternoon, as the shade will reduce the temperature. Cycling in forests is lovely and cool in summer but a tad chilly in Autumn. If you are cycling in late Autumn, take care of the leaves on the track, as they can make it slippy.
When the temperatures are cooler, you can forget to keep drinking. Don’t forget to drink to avoid dehydration. It is a good habit to focus on drinking at least 500ml per hour, even when the weather is cooler.
Speaking from personal experience, it is always good to remember the sun is still strong in Autumn, so make sure you wear suncream, even if you don’t think it’s hot. Remember the back of your hands as they are sore when you burn them and turn quickly into old-looking skin if you don’t take care of them.
Autumn Ebiking
As I said, this is an excellent time of year for ebiking. The weather is generally more stable, and it is quieter with none of the manic high-season crowds plus, there are some beautiful places to choose from. The seasonal food you can sample in any of the countries, changing colours and the scenery you will immerse yourself in will make it an incredibly memorable tour.
Images from our Tuscan Autumn Tour 2022
