Fall In Love with Cycling Again
By Nathan Lake
When the heat breaks and the air turns crisp, Lincoln’s trail system starts calling again. For riders 55 and older, fall can be the perfect season to return to cycling. Even better? Modern bicycles have changed in ways that make riding easier and safer, while better accommodating riders of all ages.
Bikes Have Changed
If your last bike had skinny tires and bent-over handlebars, or if you remember banana seats and high-rise handlebars, you’ll find that today’s bicycles may feel surprisingly comfortable. Many bike stores carry hybrid models designed to let you sit more upright in the saddle, taking the pressure off your back and shoulders. Hybrid bicycles usually have wider tires than a traditional road bike, which helps the bike feel smoother and more stable on trails, streets, and crushed rock paths.
Many bicycles are now offered in step-through frames, so it’s easier to get on and off the bike. Adult trikes and recumbent bikes can also be good choices for riders who want extra balance, a lower seat, or a different riding position.
The biggest change is the rise of pedal-assist electric bikes. These bikes still require the rider to pedal, but the electric motor adds help when you ride on hills, into the wind, or if you need assistance at the end of a longer ride. For many riders, that extra support can make cycling feel possible again. An e-bike can help you stretch a ride a little farther on a perfect fall day, keep pace with a spouse or friend, or take on a route that once felt out of reach.
Comfort Comes First
For Lincoln-area riders who want one bike for town trails and longer fall rides, a comfortable hybrid, gravel bike, or Class 1 pedal-assist electric bike is a smart starting point. Look for a relaxed riding position, wider tires, dependable brakes, and gears that feel easy to use.
Fit matters as much as the bike itself. A supportive saddle, comfortable handlebars, and the right frame size can make a short ride feel pleasant and a longer ride feel possible.
Gear That Makes the Ride Better
Small accessories can change the experience. A properly fitted helmet should be first. Front and rear lights help riders stay visible. A mirror or rear radar unit can make traffic seem less surprising. Padded shorts, cycling gloves, ergonomic grips, and a small bag for snacks or tools can take the edge off longer rides.
Fall rewards simple layering. A light wind jacket can make a cool morning feel comfortable. A water bottle, flat repair kit, and phone mount can help riders feel prepared.
Lincoln Was Built for a Fall Ride
Once you’ve got a bike that feels right, Lincoln becomes a different kind of place to explore. The same streets, parks, and neighborhoods you’ve driven past for years are new from the seat of a bike. The city’s trail system gives riders an easy way to enjoy the season at their own pace.
You can keep the ride simple with a short loop through a nearby park, follow a trail across town for lunch or coffee, or plan a longer route into the surrounding area. Lincoln’s trails connect quiet neighborhoods, open green spaces, wooded stretches, and familiar landmarks, giving riders plenty of ways to build a ride around comfort, curiosity, and time.
A Trail System Worth Exploring
To help you get started, we’ve included a few handy local resources. Use them to find a route or discover an event that gives you a reason to get outside. Whether you ride alone, with a friend, or with a local group, fall is a beautiful time to see the city we call home from a fresh point of view.
Download the Complete Trails Map, Courtesy of Great Plains Trails Network
Plan Your Route, Courtesy of City of Lincoln