Riding a bike is a bit of a metaphor in itself. In fact, some folks even call their bikes “cycles.” And what a cycle it is, this ride we’re all on.

One of our favorite extensions of this concept is the seasonality of the calendar year. Sure, things are getting a bit less predictable these days with human-induced climate change. But we can still look forward to a more or less predictable turn of the seasons, just as the last one was starting to feel a bit stale.

A new turn of the seasons brings new routes for some. Those low elevation trails that you actually love so much, save for the dusty summer months, are finally good riding territory again with the onset of the rainy season. For others, it means new bikes entirely, as they turn from one discipline to the next. And my lord, would you look at those colorful leaves! But for almost all of us, the new season brings a change in weather and an accompanying change in the way we ride. Yes, even us down here in the Sonoran desert.

Nicole and I revel in the new wardrobe that this changing of the seasons always inspires. While Tucson may mean less of a change there than many of the places further north that we know and love, it still does get quite chilly here come the holiday season. As such, we’re gravitating towards some old favorites that haven’t seen the light of day since last winter’s final breath. And we’re also looking forward to testing out some exciting new kit that we haven’t tried before!

One of those pieces is the Thermal Glove. The weight of this glove hits a very happy medium in terms of breathability, dexterity, and warmth. Though, don’t plan on these gloves keeping your hands warm in a winter downpour. Save these for the brisk, dry starts when you come to visit us down in southern Arizona.

Another piece that we’re incredibly excited about for the new season is the new PEARL iZUMi Gravel Gaiter. Nicole and I spend a lot of our time exploring the unpaved roads and trails that surround the community of Tucson, and that often means a lot of debris working its way in between our toes by the end of the ride. These gaiters aren’t thick enough to double as shoe covers. Nor do they cover the toes. But there does appear to be some added warmth in the gaiters — along the lines of what you might expect in putting on a windbreaker. If nothing else, these will certainly make my socks last longer!