Fall is one of our favorite times to ride bikes, and watching the leaves change color on two wheels can’t be beat. At RANGE, we say out with sweaty helmet hair and funny tan lines, and in with warm wools and technical fabrics. You don’t have to give up looking good on your bike when the temperature drops, so to show you how to do it, we’ve compiled a hit list of our favorite cycling-friendly items that are perfect for fall.
1. Cozy up to your commute with the Polartec® Heritage Fleece Pullover Sweatshirt from swrve. Made with Thermal Pro fabric, it’s warm, breathable and fast drying like your favorite wool sweater, minus the itch. The fleece on the inside feels super soft, the outside is textured to give it a substantial look, and it’s made in the USA. Classically styled with a slim fit and a “V” detail at the crewneck, each piece is individually numbered and limited to a 184 run.
2. You’ll feel anything but sheepish showing a little ankle in 290 Square Meters Wool Socks by The Athletic Community of Portland, Oregon. Earlier this year, The Athletic partnered with cycling-world design powerhouse Garrett Chow, and he’s brought a new dimension to their wares, such as this collaboration with Amsterdam’s 290 Square Meters. Everyone knows wool keeps you warm even when wet and resists funk, but in the past, the options haven’t been pretty. A good pair of wool socks is indispensable for cold, rainy weather when the wind comes right through your shoes on the descents. Now you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to keep your toes toasty.
3. A smaller take on a classic shape, the newest bag in the Mission Workshop lineup is the Fraction Rucksack. It has enough room for the things you carry every day, like a 13-inch laptop, without weighing you down. For commuters, the narrow profile means great over-the-shoulder visibility on the bike. A velcro pocket on the front keeps indispensable items like your phone close at hand. Exterior sealed zipper compartments help keep you organized, and the weatherproof construction means that while rain might dampen your spirits, it won’t soak your stuff.
4. Fall is here and your leg warmers are saying, “Put me in, coach!” but Machines For Freedom, the maker of high quality women’s cycling apparel, has another option. It’s time to bench your bib shorts and don Machines for Freedom’s Most Valuable Player Pant. Despite their length, this isn’t a thick winter tight. The sleek MVP is meant to be worn in temperatures from 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a chamois for comfort in the saddle, but its mesh cutouts and stylish seaming also let you transition to casual wear off your bike. Ankle zips keep the silhouette slim and the compression firm all the way down, while the bib straps ensure that nothing digs in at the waist.
5. How sweet is the Sugarloaf Basket Bag by Swift Industries in Seattle? Convenient carry straps mean you don’t have to leave it when you lock it, and it’s big enough for a six pack and sized just right for the popular Wald 137 bicycle basket. Grab some grub and pop out the bag for a quick picnic on the trail. Pack a lunch for work or make a quick grocery run when a snack attack strikes. It’s available in special release field tan wax canvas, as well as steel, camo and black colorways.
Images courtesy of swrve, The Athletic Community, Mission Workshop, Machines for Freedom and Swift Industries.
xx Jen
Jen Abercrombie is a lifelong Californian with a love of cycling and the outdoors, who spent 12 years as an independent retailer in Los Angeles. She has a background in graphic design and works with active brands in social media and content creation. A self-described “word nerd,” she appreciates a clever caption.