Autumn Bike Trip: 8 Good Reasons to Trade Summer for the Off-Season

Autumn is undoubtedly the most underrated season for cycling. Yet, it has everything to please: fewer people, less heatwave, colors that explode, a light more stunning than any Instagram filter...

In short, here are 8 good reasons to hit the bike paths this autumn.

1. Bye bye the crowd: the bike paths are yours

No more traffic jams on bike paths or 2-hour waits for a lukewarm panini.

We won't compare summer bike paths to Times Square on December 31 (let's not push it). But cycling quickly becomes a slalom exercise between tribes of tourists and cars inventing parking spots on bike lanes.

In autumn, kids are back to school, and parents (and teachers) too.

The result: you ride peacefully, without zigzagging. Unless you feel like it, of course. You do what you want, the road is yours!

2. A thermometer that thanks you

We love riding in summer. But riding in a sauna? Not so much.

Autumn offers you those pleasantly mild temperatures where cycling becomes pure pleasure: cool enough not to melt in your shorts, sunny enough to enjoy picnic breaks. And those mornings when the fresh air gives you more energy than a shot of caffeine are priceless.

A windbreaker in your panniers and you're ready to go, hair in the wind — like a perfume ad but more realistic.

3. The 50 shades of autumn

Let's not beat around the bush: autumn is a true festival of colors. Maybe they're here to make us love going back to school?

Red and orange forests, golden vineyards, parks that look like Miyazaki backdrops... A simple ride on a greenway takes on the feel of a Canadian road trip.

Honestly, who said autumn was depressing?

4. The golden light, no filters needed

Those famous "golden hour" sunsets? In autumn, they arrive earlier and accompany your end-of-stage moments.

The low light lasts longer than in the height of summer, and your selfies go from "tourist sunburned" to "adventurer on an epic journey." We love the soft, warm light of autumn - with it, there's no need to retouch the photos.

Unless fog decides to join the party, giving a mystical air to the scenery and your shots... Just in time for Halloween.

But be careful: remember to enjoy with your retinas before capturing those precious moments on film.

5. Hassle-free accommodation

In summer, finding a last-minute room is a bit like looking for a seat on the subway at 6 PM: mission impossible.

In autumn, travel regains its spontaneity. You can show up in a village in the late afternoon and decide to stay without going through the "book three months in advance" phase.

And what about your wallet? Prices return to their post-summer softness, leaving more room for little culinary indulgences (or an extra night, just for fun).

6. More genuine encounters with locals

We have to admit: in the summer rush, even the friendliest baker doesn't have time to chat when the line spills out in front of the butcher.

When the high season ends, locals find time again and can breathe. The exchanges are warmer, less rushed. You take the time to chat with the cheese producer or the innkeeper who recommends "the best nut pie in the area" (tried, approved, devoured).

It's often in these moments that you find the true magic of travel: a shared coffee, a tip for a gourmet detour, or a recommendation off the beaten path.

7. Health & morale booster

Okay, let's be honest: going back to school can sting. Between piled-up emails and crowded subways, you quickly dream of a beautiful escape.

Sure, there are pretty colors, but still.

An autumn bike ride, and boom, your spirits lift faster than with any Netflix series. Why not cover 50 kilometers through the vineyards? It's the ideal cocktail to keep your spirits up... or to get back in the saddle after summer laziness (like, sunbathing + unlimited barbecue?). No need to think you're Tibo InShape: everyone at their own pace, the goal is to enjoy.

Bonus: it's also the perfect opportunity to get your final dose of vitamin D before winter.

8. "But what if it rains?" No panic

Yes, it can rain. It's even a good thing for the health of our soils.

And DolceVia has thought of everything: our weather insurance covers you if the weather turns capricious.

And between us: a few drops are also part of the charm of adventure (promise, we don't melt that easily)... and provide a perfect excuse to stop at a café, hands around a hot chocolate. Autumn showers are often short and give way to beautiful clearings.

Riding under a light drizzle (and why not splash in the puddles?) is also about rediscovering your inner child!

Some practical tips for cycling calmly in autumn

• Layer up: better to layer than to suffocate under a big sweater.
• Opt for waterproof panniers: nothing worse than a wet sweater.
• Think about light gloves: your fingers will thank you in the morning.
• Keep a plan B: a café, a bakery, or a spontaneous stop is also part of the journey.
• Bring a raincoat: you're not made of sugar, but you're not waterproof either.

In short, you got it: cycling in autumn means more calm, more colors, more flexibility, and a real energy boost. Add to that the pleasure of local encounters and the peace of mind from our weather insurance: you have no excuses left.

So, ready to swap your blanket for your handlebars?