Summer solstice

[Louise Wallace]

Who plans on doing the summer solstice this coming weekend?

[roadflasj]

I have to be back early Sunday morning so anyone who wants to start at the real crack of dawn can join at 430am. Early yes but in past years favourable weather (forecasted like this year) has made for a spectacular sunrise.

[Claire]

Mmmmmmmmaybe

[barton bourassa]

For sure! This is a must do! 100 laps of Beacon? So much better than just 4! And 4:30 sounds like a good start time to me. The earlier we are done the better. On a beautiful sunny day things get busy early at the park.

Barton.

[Claire]

For sure! This is a must do! 100 laps of Beacon? So much better than just 4! And 4:30 sounds like a good start time to me. The earlier we are done the better. On a beautiful sunny day things get busy early at the park.

Barton.

Ha ha. Best reply. I'm actually more motivated now, knowing that Mr Early Morning Enthusiasm is coming. Heck, I'll even bake cookies for the occasion.

[LouiseF]

Are you talking Saturday morning? Sunday morning? Since neither is the Solstice itself, I'm not sure but would like to know. Btw, Sunday is father's day. Don't know if that gives you dads more opportunity to ride or less. I'd guess it'd give the moms in the group definitely less....

[Ann]

Are you talking Saturday morning? Sunday morning? Since neither is the Solstice itself, I'm not sure but would like to know. Btw, Sunday is father's day. Don't know if that gives you dads more opportunity to ride or less. I'd guess it'd give the moms in the group definitely less....

L3, it is Sunday, June 17 at 4:30 a.m.

I believe Martin is going to post more details here soon about where to meet--there was discussion about what coffee shops might be open that early.

[chrisb]

Do you need someone to bring coffee and cheer?

Christian

[myboys]

Louise et al,

Even though it means riding while sane people are sleeping, and it'll be bloody freezing out, and anyone in their right minds think we're nuts (and they are not wrong), I am in! I love this ride! And a 4:30 a.m. start is not too early. Well, it is. But not for the Summer Solstice Ride!

Mary

[mfarnham]

The Summer Silly Solstice Ride is this Sunday June 17. Seems there's a groundswell for a 4:30 start, and that's when it started last year. So let's go with 4:30. That will help people get back to their Father's Day obligations. No coffee shop will open at 4:00, so just suck it up and meet at the parking area (near the finish crosswalks) just before 4:30.

People are welcome to join at any time, if 4:30 is too early. Probably makes sense to show up on the 1/2 hour if you come later, as that may allow you to start and end with a group of people who also turn up on the same 1/2 hour as you...but showing up anytime is fine.

A few basic guidelines: 1) bring charged lights and ride safe (ride carefully around wildlife, pedestrians, cars, each other); 2) ride together at a sustainable pace; 3) Make sure you have enough food and drink to keep yourself going and that you have a spare tube, levers, and air; and 4) avoid leaving a solo rider at the end.

There are no fast and slow groups for this ride. It's a social ride. Everyone rides together at a pace sustainable for everyone (don't start too fast, and don't ramp up the pace when you hit the front). Riders who aren't sure of their legs should spend extra time on the back out of the wind.

It's traditional to take 1-lap pulls. Make sure the pulls end in a place where it's safe for the group to be 4 wide (not in a narrow bit or a place with lots of traffic). And drop back quickly from your pull (tap the brakes if necessary to hurry to the back). Since it's typically a big group, it's very important that people call hazards up and down the line and that everyone keeps alert to peacocks, walkers, cars, etc.

For those considering doing the Big Loop Ride (Tripleshot highlight ride of the year!) this year, this is a *great* way to get in a long training ride in preparation for that even longer ride. Unlike a meandering ride up the Peninsula or out to East Sooke, you can pull the plug on this ride at any point, and be close to home. It's just about the easiest 100 mile ride you can do, though the 10m elevation gain per lap does add up surprisingly quickly. If 100 miles is a psychological barrier for you, this is the place to break it.

See you out there!
Martin

p.s. OMG chrisb, yes please to coffee and cheering! Even better if you ride with us!

[Rolf]

Phew! 4 a.m. wake-ups are usually reserved for trans-oceanic flights and ski trips—but this is an even better reason. I've got a Dad's Day full of softball, so aim to do a Century Lite® and call it at 100K.

If any of you newer members are wondering what to expect, we have Club photo/video albums for last year's Winter Solstice Century, and the 2016 Summer Solstice Century.

[Rolf]

Nice to ride with you nutjobs at 4:30 a.m. Especially nice to see chrisb again (with coffee hand-ups.) The peafowl seemed particularly unruly this morning. Extra kudos to those who stuck it out for a "true" century.

Photos/video to share go here.

Here's a beauty I think Lund captured:

[roadflasj]

Many thanks to all that participated and braving the early start time. Big shout out to both Chris and Claire for providing a bit of sustenance for the ride although I should have known better to inhale a cookie (delicious) while taking a pull on the front.

[Rolf]

Video edit is here.

And also here on our own photos site.