Hello September, it's been a while

I love the autumn and there was a distinct autumnal feel in the air this morning. It wont be long until lights are put back on bikes, thermal gloves and hats are being dug out of drawers and riding becomes a little bit less enjoyable.
But before then, there is autumn. From now until the middle of November we have ten weeks of the potential for the most pleasant riding conditions of the year - in my view.

Those halcyon days of crisp blue skies and falling leaves are a thing of wonder which just make me want to ride all day.
If chilly mornings put you off then you can always follow this year's Vuelta which is beginning to come to a head, check out the world championships later in September in Italy or look out for the Giro de Lombardia October - the race of falling leaves.
Just get out there...

27 reasons to be cheerful

The track cycling at the London Paralympics finished yesterday with another flurry of medals for the British team which is based at the Manchester velodrome.
The final tally of five golds, seven silvers and three bronze medals was enough to place Team GB atop the medals table and with a bit more luck, it could have been more.
Mechanical issues aside, the overall performance has built on the achievements of Beijing four years ago but increased competition, particularly from China, has led to serious competition for medals - and the sport is all the better for it.

Paralympics 2012 track cycling medal table

Add these medals to the nine track and three road race medals won at the Olympic games, and Team GB's total haul of 27 medals represents a superb return.  
It's quite fitting that the team is based at the aesthetically functional Manchester track rather than the beautiful London version, after all churning out medals which inspire people to ride is what it's all about.
Less good news in Northern Spain for British riders where Chris Froome is being put to the sword in the Vuelta. 
Despite last week's Cycling Weekly claiming that Froome basically had the ride in the bag, under the baking Spanish sun Froome looks tired and just cant live with the bursts of acceleration from the Spanish trio of Bertie, Joaquim Rodriguez and Alejandro Valverde.
It looks like Froome has left too much of himself on French tarmac and that we'll have to wait until next year's Tour form Britain's next stab and a GC winner.
Still, we have the World Championships to look forward to in a couple of weeks.
Ride safe