Fall is my favorite season. It’s not perfect, though. Leaves turn orange and yellow and red, then fall to the ground. It often rains at the same time, making leaf-covered roads slicker than snot. It’s beautiful but it requires control.

Sunday, despite the heavy cloud cover and spitting rain, I went for a short local ride along roads Bluff, Lusted, and Ten Eyke. The route I chose took me down to Dodge Park where it crosses the Sandy River and back up the other side toward home. There had been a lot of wind and rain in previous days so the beautiful fall colors were on the roads as much as they were anywhere else. Riding in these conditions demands attention and care. Easy throttle, easy brakes, and careful lines. It was beautiful and good practice.