If I’m talking about constellations in September it must mean I did a late night, after-work ride for 30daysof biking.
A little nippy tonight, sweatshirt and shorts weather. I took a road trip this morning in my free time before work instead of biking so this ride started at 10:30p. Two lights of course, but turned off my front light on the way back to improve my night vision.
The Big Dipper is sitting nearly level to the north. Following the handle, I identify that bright red star near the horizon as Arcturus. It is about to set. Not something I’ve noticed very often. My mind takes off on a tangent, thinking that I’ve read that Arcturus is one of the stars whose rising at a certain point on the horizon signals the beginning of a new season. One of the alignments of the Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn Mountains is suppose to detect that event. I will have to check that out.
Sagittarius is still completely visible on the Southeast horizon, reassuring that summer isn’t quite over. And rising from the teapot I can see the Milky Way, not that common this close to the city. I run off the road trying to trace it overhead, but recover without incident. As I roll back down the driveway, I turn my light back on to avoid the potholes. Blessed with fairly dark skies only two miles from the Beltline.
Thirtydaysofbiking is so important to me because I keep learning knew things about me and my bike. I don’t have to wear biking shorts and shoes. I can hop on anytime, day or night, and it is still a joy in some way. What else have I learned? That’s the story of this morning’s road trip and the next blog…
PS: I was wrong about the medicine wheel. Aldebaran, not Arcturus.
dexheimer 