Ventura’s Full Moon Fun Rides Weds. June 15

Have you noticed that bright almost summer full moon?

No?

Then you like me must be ensconced in June Gloom, aka the Catalina eddy, the marine layer caused by the Channel Islands that sinks us in deep damp fog for most of the summer while just a few miles inland people bake in the hot summer sun.

But sometimes we get lucky, like just the other night: the fog horn dies down, the marine layer peels away, and the moon and the stars grace our skies and tempt us to climb on our bikes for a summer adventure.

Whether it’s clear skies or gray, members of the Ventura Bicycle Union will ride the streets of the City tonight, the night of the full moon–and a total lunar eclipse! (It’s best seen in Madagascar, but hey, we can use our imaginations and feel the drama, can’t we?

This APOD Total Lunar Eclipse Over North Carolina is Credit & Copyrighted to: David Cortner. The site APOD explains the eclipse thus: our Moon will appear to disappear as seen “in a time lapse image captured in 2003 over North Carolina, USA. As the Earth moves between the Moon and the Sun, the Earth’s shadow fell on the moon, making it quite dark. In the above picture the Earth’s rotation, multiple exposures, and digital enhancements are used to create a time-lapse effect that dramatizes how the Moon looked as it faded out and re-appeared during the three hour lunar eclipse. As the Earth’s shadow engulfed the Moon, the lunar images became less and less bright, practically disappearing during totality. At this time, the Moon, which normally shines by reflecting direct sunlight, shone only by sunlight refracted through the Earth’s atmosphere. )

So bring your lights and meet up at Mission Park in downtown Ventura at Main and Figueroa. The ride will venture east to the college in the direction of the full moon then loop back all at a leisurely pace. People can join or leave at any desired location of the ride.

On June 16, according to my handy dandy Pacific Publishers Tide-Log, the sun sets at 8pm, it’s dark at 9pm, and while the moon may technically rise at 8:16pm, who knows when riders will actually see it peek up and over the coastal hillsides.

EVEN if YOU can’t go, please SHARE info about this ride with your friends!! And if you’re too far away to join OUR ride, get your own going in your home town!

Next First Friday ArtRides Dates & Themes:

July 1 Flower Power(no moon, new moon). After party at UpFront Gallery on Laurel.

August 5 Fresh off the Farm (fair ride! music by Pat Benatar! fireworks!)

September 2 Back to School

October 7 Gothtober (almost full moon rises at 4pm! and a meteor shower!)

November 4 (I forgot!)

December 2 Santacon

Meet 530pm on the Ventura Beach Promenade at California Street. Ride at 6pm to art galleries.

Ride at your own risk. Pimp your ride. Light your bike. Be safe. Bring your own mug for drinks; money comes in handy.