Socially Distanced Winter Solstice and Ursids Blackstar MTB Ride

Ride Name: Socially Distanced Winter Solstice and Ursids Blackstar MTB Ride
When: Monday, December 21st
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd
Ride Description or Details:
As the date of the official winter solstice falls on this Monday we'll do another Blackstar ride.
Providing of course that whatever quarantine will allow us to ride.
Socially distance (easy enough on MTB) and wear face coverings as necessary.
Us slower folks will be starting at 5:30 (rolling, not just getting there -
by Garmin or Verizon timekeeping) to make it to Beek's by 7:30.
Faster people can start later or do extra credit past Beek's place.
The goal is to meet at Beek's at 7:30 and toast the winter solstice. And perform whatever solstice or pagan rituals you feel like. (Please, no human or animal sacrifices and at a social distance
).
The Ursid meteor shower will also be going on, so maybe we'll see a few shooting stars. It will be the peak, so we have a chance.
https://www.timeanddate.com/ast.../meteor-shower/ursids.html
Saturn and Jupiter will be super close appearing as a double star.
Lights will be needed but we will have some moon, 45% illumination first quarter moon - if it's clear.
https://www.moongiant.com/phase/12/21/2020


Weather will probably be cool to cold; so we won't have to worry as much about keeping the beer cold; more about keeping ourselves warm.
Any significant rain on the day or preceding days will cancel as none of use want that Blackstar clay.
?'s - Ask away.
Invite others, let's make it a party.
~~~~~ Optional Details ~~~~~
Meet Location: Xmas Tree Farm on Blackstar Canyon Rd off of Silverado Canyon Road which is off of Santiago Canyon Road.
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Ride Pace: Social Cruise
Type of Ride: Out and Back
Rider Limit: Let's see - 9 miles x 5280 ft / 6 ft spacing = 7920
Anticipated Mileage: 18
Elevation Gain: 2200
Ride Duration: 2-3 Hours
Previous Ride Reports: There are some, I can't find them right now.
Possible Bail-Outs: Turn around and go back, but you'll be missing out.
Facilities: No water on trail, except maybe the creek (eh!). The world is our restroom.
Food/water suggestions: Most get by on a bottle of water or so. Snacks if you want. Maybe a beer or two to toast at Beek's.
Option to Upload:

 

I’m going to try and make it down there for this... Maybe early enough to do Sierra Peak as extra credit.

Hopefully it’s in the cards...

 

You're also going to have this to look forward to around the 21st:



https://www.astroasheville.org/wp-c...Dec-2020-Jupiter-Saturn-Great-Conjunction.pdf

 

Where's Uranus?



(Commence Beavis and Butthead giggling)

 

We'll toast your humor on the top of the mountain that night... No group gropes, though.

 

Less than a week out and weather looks fine. No rain in the forecast.
There is currently access to Blackstar as well.
Barring any complete shutdowns; we should be a go.

 

Tonight we ride!
Weather looks good. A low of 48, which seems a bit high to me.
Could be some breezes. NWS says up to 20 during the day, but only 5 at night.

 

I had been simmering this possibility on the back, back burner, but the stars will not align for me this season. Have a great ride!

 

I think they are planets that are supposed to be aligning.

 

He’s Indiana Jones, not Copernicus!

 

I had my days messed up, and didn't realize that this fell on a Monday. Enjoy...

 

Was there last year! But missing you this year Enjoy!!

 

Get down here, ya weenie!

You know I'd be all over this ride, if, uummm, if my daughter didn't have water polo practice tonight. The cat is already permed for the holidays!

 

I observed... Last night and night before we're clearer... Hope everyone has a good ride

 

Got distracted, and before I knew it....it was 6:45.....not that fast tonight.

 

Foreground it a little blurry, but full view of the event from my deck. Binoculars were sufficient, if not a little jiggly.



I really need to convince my neighbor to get ride of his weather vane.

 

You woulda caught me easy.

 

Will there be a 2021 version? Tuesday is the day I get my required probing, but it's at 8 am. I may head up Black Star that afternoon, depending on conditions and such.

 

No event for me this year.
Looks like there might be rain.
More importantly for me if you've seen the Automotive thread - I do not have a working vehicle.
I am working in Irvine, so riding to B* from work, doing B* and then riding home would be right up there in @mtnbikej territory.
I might have a new truck by the spring equinox.

If weather permits, I encourage people to go to the mountains.

 

Good advice! Which I vow to consider – no matter what the weather on solstice.

Tis the season…enjoy the lack of ball sweat while ya can.