Your calf muscles are firmer than ever before and yet you gradually realise that it's time to put your bike away in the cellar. Quite unfair really.

If you can, you should take advantage of the remaining warm days by packing your bike along with your suitcase. Visiting South Tyrol in autumn is a pleasant way to prolong the season, whatever type of bike you ride.

The mountains by bike, but not too high up

High altitude tours can still be done by mountain bike, although it's best not to go higher than 2,500m, as a sudden change of weather up there can mean snow right now. But you don't always have to go high up! Lots of trails and forest tracks on the tree line are not being used much by hikers at the moment, which is great for mountain bikers! This is particularly the case for tours with guaranteed all-round views, whether in the Dolomites, along the main Alpine ridge or around the Texelgruppe mountains. There are breathtaking views to be had on circular routes to mountain pastures, while damp autumnal air accompanies rides through colourful woodland and the interplay of light between vine leaves, blue sky and golden sun is worth going the extra mile.

High season for racing bikers!

Racing bikers should set a date for autumn in their diaries right now. Unlike in spring, lots of roads through mountain passes are free of loose chippings and there are hardly any motorcyclists around. The rhythmic sound of your own breath, fast hairpin bends, the cool wind whistling in your ears. In conjunction with the well established cycle paths along the valleys, there are lots of tour options for a pleasantly fitting end to the season.

Journeys of discovery on two wheels

But riding a bike doesn't always mean you have to be super sporty. It's enjoyable to go round the towns of South Tyrol on two wheels, combine a bike ride with a trip to a museum, one of the many culinary events or a bit of shopping. The tightly-knit network of quiet traffic-calmed side streets, cycle paths and forest tracks is conducive to easy and environmentally-friendly mobility for holidaymakers – in combination with public transport, too.

Don't forget: autumn is also 'törggelen' time and cyclists like nothing more than to enjoy the variety of autumnal specialities with a clear conscience. Thanks to the amount of calories they burn.

Useful Links:
Mountain bike tours in South Tyrol in autumn
Racing bike tours in South Tyrol in autumn
Trekking bike tours in South Tyrol in autumn
Bike hire points in South Tyrol