9 brave riders met at Moss Rocks to observe and celebrate the 2011 Winter Solstice. We couldn't have asked for a better day for the first day of winter - clear, very little wind and 5 degrees. The day of the winter solstice is only 5 seconds shorter than the day before and only 1 second shorter than the day after! We watched the sunset at end of the shortest day of the year/beginning of the longest night of the year until it was dark enough for Venus to appear. Then it was off on a little ride around Fairfield and Oak Bay to observe the Christmas lights with a stop at Gonzalez Hill for the view. (And the ride to get there was a very warming experience!). By this time Jupiter was bright and high in the sky and we believe we also saw Saturn continuing the perfect Sun-Venus-Jupiter arc across the sky. The lights on Oak Bay road were the stunning finale of the ride. We then adjourned to the Penny Farthing for a debriefing followed by a fast ride back to town.
An exhilirating experience and a magical night! Sure to be an annual tradition along with the Summer Solstice and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes
Perhaps we will add full moon night rides on clear evenings throughout the winter?
Pictures from Douglas F.
Pictures from Simon W.
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Irene
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