In the astute words of Jean Hirstfield in The Heat of Autum, “The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.”

My go-to fall recollection is riding my bike through leaves usually near the college campus where my father worked. I would dash from home across the forbidden busy streets and ride to the college and wander like a dog off a leash through neighborhoods and around the campus looking at how it all turned into a Crayola box of colors. I’d ride around taking in the sights and sounds of my little town as if it was all there for my pleasure. Possibly I should have been working on homework, but I knew that I’d have time later for such tasks. The ride was the most important thing and I’d seize the time to explore. Watching the shadows dance on the fences or make the gravestones in the cemetary tall and ominous was part of the pleasure of riding.

For me, it’s the light of the season. Autum light is golden and everything it touches appears gilded. It’s the upspoken star. The supporting character of the day that doesn’t realize how much it’s needed. Autumn light works to compliment the colors around it.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re still experiencing the summer temps of 80s and up, however, the morning commute is a different part of the day and it summons light to come out and play. I can’t get enough of it. I look for excuses to make the commute last a moment longer while I frame a photo or think about how it all interacts to set the day alight. It’s dazzling!

The leaves are starting to change but for the most part the light ripens my smile and puts me in a great mood.

The mornings forshadow the cool temps ahead and with my jacket and gloves it feels as refreshing as jumping into a pool of cold water. The observation of Victoria Erickson, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.” My mornings are filled with magic and my commute has been a wonderful time to ponder as I pedal.

How is it where you live? Tell me in the comments.

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you have an amazing week.

Get out there and ride your bike.

Bike Goddess