With October upon us, in a few weeks all the green foliage in Hatfield-McCoy Country will be replaced by brilliant hues of red and yellow leaves as our area greets Autumn with the "sere and yellow leaf" season, as the old poets used to say.
The fall marks one of the most remarkable times to ride the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. In addition to the beautiful fall foliage which can be absolutely brilliant on a bright and sunny day, the temperature is generally cooler so there is less heat and grit to worry about.
As the Fall marches on, however we will get to the rainy season, so there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing to ride the trails in the fall. First of all, just because it may be in the high forties to low fifties in the morning doesn't mean it will be cool all day long. Experienced riders will know to dress in layers. That way if the day warms up you just doff some unneeded clothing to stay cool on your ride. Also, when day wears on, it can start to cool down again. That way you just put back on your vests or jackets and go about your merry way. Fall can be pretty unpredictable weather-wise.
If taking the slow scenic route is more your thing than splashing through mud-puddles all day long, you'll definitely want to pack along a rain poncho to help stay dry. Often, a wet rainy morning will turn into a dry warm afternoon this time of the year, so don't let some morning rain change your plans for fun on the trails. Always stop at the trailhead and pick up a current map for your ride. And don't forget the importance of hydration. It's always a good idea to pack along some bottled water or emergency food, especially if you are a new rider. Many folks get back in the woods and find it such an amazing experience that they lose track of time.
The fall marks one of the most remarkable times to ride the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. In addition to the beautiful fall foliage which can be absolutely brilliant on a bright and sunny day, the temperature is generally cooler so there is less heat and grit to worry about.
As the Fall marches on, however we will get to the rainy season, so there are a few things to keep in mind when preparing to ride the trails in the fall. First of all, just because it may be in the high forties to low fifties in the morning doesn't mean it will be cool all day long. Experienced riders will know to dress in layers. That way if the day warms up you just doff some unneeded clothing to stay cool on your ride. Also, when day wears on, it can start to cool down again. That way you just put back on your vests or jackets and go about your merry way. Fall can be pretty unpredictable weather-wise.
If taking the slow scenic route is more your thing than splashing through mud-puddles all day long, you'll definitely want to pack along a rain poncho to help stay dry. Often, a wet rainy morning will turn into a dry warm afternoon this time of the year, so don't let some morning rain change your plans for fun on the trails. Always stop at the trailhead and pick up a current map for your ride. And don't forget the importance of hydration. It's always a good idea to pack along some bottled water or emergency food, especially if you are a new rider. Many folks get back in the woods and find it such an amazing experience that they lose track of time.
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