The changing seasons

It's not just your 'bike that needs to be prepared, the rider does too as each Season brings its own hazards. As this month marks the waning of Summer and the beginning of Autumn and Mother Nature's journey from green hedgerows and trees with green leaves, to a woody grey brown landscape, our special correspondent takes a look at seasonal issues associated with riding

Autumn

Wet roads, leaves, mulched leaves pedestrians travelling in the gloom and the dark as the days get shorter all present extra hazards on the road. Then there are the Autumnal morning mists, fogs and frosts.

Suddenly added hazards of low Sun in the morning and evening causing dazzle and glare and of colder weather begins to be experienced when riding, so carry something you can put on when you get chilly. Keep your concentration on your riding and the road, don't let your being chilly and cold be a diversion.

Winter

Snow, ice, wintery weather can damage road surfaces and impair the performance of your 'bike, reducing braking distances available to you and increasing the chance of an incident. Prepare yourself and give yourself longer for journeys and don't take risks. Remember the coldest months are generally the first three of every New Year. And always remember....black ice.

Spring

You're an Associate or Full Member of LAM. so you will no doubt have ridden during the Winter period. If you haven't, do give yourself time to adjust to riding again. Be prepared for morning frosts, low Sun, rain and moisture on the roads causing dazzle and glare.

Summer

Well, you know all about this as you've hopefully been enjoying the riding from both Banstead and Tatsfield and the AOR and SSI during this Season, but let's recap. Dry roads can appear safe, however summer Sun can dazzle and road users can become complacent in the warm weather. There's also the possibility of monsoonal downpours so be prepared. My personal choice is never to ride my 'bike on Bank Holidays during the summer.