Image: The Astronomical LeagueI am a BIG fan of night rides.
On this blog, night riding is celebrated in many ways, such as:
- Bike Rave Melburn – Pink Flamingo 2018 (February 22nd, 2018)
- Full Moon Rides (June 17th, 2016)
- The solar-powered ‘Starry Night’ bike path in Poland (October 18th, 2016)
- Brisbane’s inaugural Ride the Night bike ride (January 31st, 2016)
And this weekend provided another exciting night time ride opportunity!
International Astronomy Day 2018!
What is Astronomy Day?
Astronomy Day is a global event observed every spring and ‘fall’ (autumn).
This an annual event is intended to provide a means of interaction between the general public and various astronomy enthusiasts, groups and professionals.
The event was started in 1973 by Doug Berger (then Astronomical Association of Northern California president). His intent was to set up various telescopes in busy urban locations so that anyone could enjoy looking at the heavens.
Since then the event has since grown and is now celebrated in many ways around the world by people in science and the general public.
In 2007, an autumn equivalent of Astronomy Day was added. The next Autumn Astronomy Day will be on October 13, 2018. So, put it in the calendar and organise a night ride!
What does this mean for cyclists? See what these guys did!
It means you get out on your bike with a few others and go for a killer night ride to learn and enjoy our incredible cosmos!
My favorite Astronomy Day bike event for this year was held by Bicycle Tree. They are a nonprofit community bike centre/shop in Santa Ana (Orange Country, CA).
See more of their work and good times on Instagram: @Bicycle Tree.
Image: The Bicycle TreeThe Bicycles Tree: Sabor de Santa Ana Community Bike Ride.
The Bicycle Tree instruction for this event were: This Saturday is Astronomy Day, so we’re going to gaze upon the universe during our ride Saturday night! Telescopes and guidance will be provided by Jeff Schroeder, a former JPL engineer and Mount San Antonio College planetarium lecturer, and current Outreach Director for the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers! Jeff will be bringing meteor samples as well.
We will, of course, also be getting food along the way. We’re going to TCW – Tacos Churros and Wings for stellar food!
The ride meets at the shop at 6:00 pm and we roll out at 6:30. We’ll be back at around 9:30. We do this monthly ride to get together and enjoy some of the great food that Santa Ana has to offer while cruising through this city’s streets and neighborhoods! .
We’ll be riding about 12 miles at a mild pace. We’ll end up back at the shop at around 9:30.
Image: The Anime Gallery
Talk about making the most out of a biking community event!!
This event is brilliant because it really does create more positive community change, in that it provides an opportunity for partipants to:
- be part of a key international event/date
- brings a range of community members together
- riders get to learning about the universe – something new
- gain some experience using specialist astronomy equipment
- have fun riding bikes around your local area
- get out and be active in the evening
What a great idea this kind of community ride is!
I’d love to see more of these kind of events happening.
These events provide great examples and inspiration to plan for other upcoming ‘international’ dates.
I can’t wait to see what kind of innovative bike ride you put on!
Best of luck and happy star gazing on your next ride all!
Here’s what is coming up for those in the Northern Hemisphere – have fun! 
Image: The Astronomical League
For more Astronomy Day info: click here for a Fact Sheet, history and more about ‘when’ and ‘where‘ about this event from The Astronomical League (what a great name!).