What to wear biking if you aren't a skeleton

Being outdoors in the cool, crisp autumn weather can be a joy and helps with the transition to the inevitable arctic conditions yet to come.  True, yesterday I saw some cyclists still biking in shorts and flip flops, but these are the supernatural people of Halloween, not mortals like the rest of us.  Here are some tips for safe and comfortable cycling in the fall: 

1. Stay dry – cold rain can be a big obstacle to biking in the fall but the right equipment can enable us to keep cycling.  Employ a waterproof jacket, shoes, bike panniers or backpack so you will be comfortable and keep your stuff dry.   
2. Scrutinize pavement – be wary of potential slick spots such as railroad tracks, man hole covers and piles of matted leaves.  Avoid puddles on roads you are not familiar with since they may be disguising a crater you do not want to risk your wheel falling into.

---

3.  Wear layers – with the weather changing it is hard to know if the temperature when you roll out will be consistent the entire day.  Wearing layers enables you to adapt to whatever the day brings.  Also pack extra layers and waterproof reflective clothing in case a chill or precipitation moves in while you are out.  Gloves, a thin hat to wear under your helmet, and a neck scarf are particularly useful to carry this time of year.
4.  Be visible – daylight is getting shorter so chances are you will begin and/or end your ride in darkness so be sure to have a lighting system for your bike.  Even in the city with street lights there are patches of darkness where you may not be seen by motorists and pedestrians and you will not be able to see pot holes and road debris.   Mount a light of a minimum of 500 lumens, white, on the front, 60 lumens, red, on the rear, wear reflective clothing, add reflectors to your wheels and pedals and reflective tape to your bike.