Autumn is one of our favourite seasons for bike tours with dogs.
The air becomes clearer, the paths quieter, forests and fields change their colours – and suddenly even a familiar route feels a little new again. At the same time, autumn brings exactly the conditions in which a good setup makes the difference between a truly beautiful tour and a rather uncomfortable outing.
Moisture, wind, muddy paths, changing temperatures and earlier darkness should not be underestimated.
With the right preparation, however, there is no reason not to keep the cycling season going for a long time.
1. The right setup for your dog
Let’s start with the most important thing: your dog’s space.
Especially in autumn, the dog bike basket should be securely and reliably attached to the bike. Major temperature fluctuations, moisture, vibrations and rougher surfaces are simply part of the season.
A securely bolted mounting bracket is therefore far more comfortable than a construction that moves with every uneven surface or needs to be readjusted.
If you often ride on forest tracks, field paths or gravel roads, you should also make sure that the basket is stabilised against tipping and strong movement.
Because as soon as a dry summer path turns into a mix of leaves, mud, roots and small potholes, you quickly notice how important stability really is.
With FlyingBodo, the basket is not only attached to the handlebars, but also guided at the head tube via the Tip-Over Stabilizer. This exact combination was developed for stability, even on rougher routes.
2. The padded insert should be able to handle a little more in autumn
In summer, comfort is the main consideration when it comes to the interior.
In autumn, another aspect is added:
Moisture.
And it does not only come from above.
Perhaps it starts to rain while you are riding. Perhaps your dog has just happily run through wet grass. Or perhaps the morning meadow is really nothing but dew by now.
Sooner or later, a wet dog ends up in the basket.
The insert should therefore:
- be vibration-dampening and comfortable
- withstand moisture
- dry as quickly as possible
- be easy to wipe clean or wash
- be robust against claws and dirt
Delicate padding that has to be thoroughly cleaned after every wet ride is not much fun in autumn.
The padded insert of the FlyingBodo was developed specifically for this combination of comfort and everyday use, and can also be used as a blanket or bag. The Ripstop material used is weather-resistant and easy to clean.
In autumn, we personally still almost always bring along a small wool blanket.
Not necessarily because our dogs need it on every ride.
But if a break lasts longer, the temperature suddenly drops or one of the dogs simply wants to lie especially cosy, it is quickly at hand.
After all, we want to make it just as comfortable for our companions as we do for ourselves.
3. Wind is often underestimated
This is probably one of the biggest differences between people and dogs when cycling.
We pedal.
We move.
Our circulation works and produces warmth.
The dog, on the other hand, sits or lies relatively still in the basket while being continuously exposed to the wind from riding.
What still feels very pleasant to us at 14 or 15 degrees can be noticeably cooler for a small dog lying still.
Even in autumn, sunny days can become surprisingly warm. You can find out what to consider in warm weather in the article “Dog Bike Basket in Summer: The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Hot Weather”.
Especially on longer tours, there should therefore be wind protection that can be used flexibly depending on the weather.
Ideally, this is not simply a fully enclosed canopy.
A system where, for example, only the front is protected while the sides can remain open is far more practical.
This makes it possible to respond to a headwind without unnecessarily shielding your dog completely.
This exact variable use of sun, wind and rain protection is part of the FlyingBodo concept.
We explain in detail how the sun canopy, sun protection and weather protection can work differently in the guide “Dog Bike Basket with Sun Canopy or Sun Protection – What's the Difference?”.
You can also find out what matters when protecting against direct sunlight in a dog bike basket in the guide “Sun Protection in a Dog Bike Basket: What You Really Need to Look For”.
4. Rain: it is better to be prepared in autumn
The weather forecast says dry.
An hour later, it is raining.
Welcome to autumn.
That is why it is especially practical to always have the rain protection directly on the basket instead of having to remember to pack something extra every time.
Even better is a canopy that can be adjusted to the actual situation.
In light rain, a protected front is often enough.
In heavier rain, additional sides can be closed.
And when it stops again, the protection is opened accordingly.
One thing is particularly important here:
Ventilation.
Especially in damp autumn weather, your dog should not simply disappear completely beneath a dense fabric. Even when protected, sufficient air must be able to circulate.
The integrated rain protection of the FlyingBodo is therefore designed so that weather protection and air circulation work together.
5. Your bike also needs an autumn setup
It is not only your dog who should be prepared.
Wet leaves, mud and damp roads also change the riding experience.
A few things make a surprising difference.
Pedals with good grip
Especially in rain or with wet shoe soles, smooth pedals can become unpleasant.
Pedals with pins or a clearly textured surface give your shoes much more grip.
This feels noticeably safer, especially on uneven paths or when setting off.
Good handlebar grips
Your hands should also stay reliably on the handlebars in wet conditions.
You notice worn or very smooth grips at the latest in the first proper autumn rain.
Check your tyres
Good tread becomes more important now.
Wet leaves, wooden bridges, roots and mud can be surprisingly slippery.
Before longer tours, it is therefore worth taking a quick look at your tyres, tyre pressure and tread condition.
Check your brakes
Wet conditions can change the braking distance.
Especially when a dog is also riding at the front, you should not discover halfway through a ride that the brake pads or braking system were overdue for a check.
Do not forget your lights
In September, you set off without giving it much thought.
And suddenly, it is already noticeably darker at 6 pm.
That is why working lights are also part of our standard autumn setup during the day.
6. Clothing: welcome back to layering
Autumn clothing for cycling is always a bit of a balancing act.
You are cold at the start.
After ten minutes of riding, you are warm.
Then comes a headwind.
Then rain.
And afterwards, the sun suddenly shines again.
That is why classic layering works best for us.
Several thin layers are much easier to adapt than one very warm jacket.
The important things are:
- breathable clothing
- a wind-resistant outer layer
- a proper rain jacket
- rain trousers, if needed
- shoes with good tread
- thin gloves for cooler days
Especially because the air is often damp in autumn, clothing should move sweat outwards as effectively as possible.
Because anyone who sweats heavily while riding and then gets cold during a break will quickly enjoy the tour less.
7. Provisions: autumn tours are allowed to be cosy
And now comes probably our favourite part.
A thermos flask.
In summer, we would probably not even think about it.
In autumn, at some point it automatically becomes part of the luggage.
Warm tea, coffee or cocoa tastes twice as good after an hour in the cool autumn air.
Perhaps with a small picnic, a piece of cake or something savoury.
And of course:
Do not forget water for your dog.
Just because it is cooler outside does not mean dogs do not need water while out and about.
Drinking water and a small bowl are also part of our standard equipment in autumn.
8. The route can adapt to the season
Some of our favourite summer routes look completely different in autumn.
And sometimes they feel completely different to ride, too.
Leaves hide:
- roots
- stones
- potholes
- branches
- deeper mud
That is why we prefer to ride a little more cautiously on unfamiliar or heavily leaf-covered paths.
We pay particularly close attention to:
- damp wooden bridges
- wet cobblestones
- larger accumulations of leaves
- very muddy forest tracks
- roots
- steep descents
But that does not mean you have to avoid these routes.
Quite the opposite.
These very routes are often what make autumn especially beautiful.
You just need to adjust your speed a little to the conditions.
And then simply set off
Autumn does not have to mean the end of the cycling season.
For us, it is more one of its most beautiful phases.
Less heat.
Fewer crowded paths.
Morning mist over the fields.
Colourful forests.
Cool air.
And that special light that only exists for a few weeks each year.
With a stable dog bike basket, a good weather setup, sensible clothing and perhaps a thermos flask in your luggage, even cooler and slightly more unpredictable days become truly beautiful tours together.
And if, in the end, dog, shoes and bike come home a little dirtier than in summer?
Then it was usually a pretty good day.
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