Monday, December 10, 2012

Thursday Ride

Thursday we will ride out of Big Flat lot at 5:30pm. The plan is to roll out a casual loop, then return to the lot for beverages, hang out and view the Geminid meteor shower which peaks out on Thursday night. With forcasted clear skies, a new moon and a wide open lot on top of a mountain, conditions couldn't be more well suited for spectating the shower. There's talk of cooking food over a campfire as well, so bring your meat n prongs! This will be an evening gathering in Michaux that you will not want to miss!!!

21 comments:

brett said...

how long do you think you'll be staying out there?

HOward said...

I plan on hangin out late. The shower is supposed to intensify as the night goes on.

Anonymous said...

HO - define 'casual loop'. My current battery limit is 2 hours (unfortunately found that out on a THREE hour ride last Thursday night...)

New one on the way, but not sure I will have it for Thursday night.

This sounds like fun, would like to participate.

- mooch

Mr. Sunshine said...

mooch, I have an extra head lamp and a bar mounted light you could use.

HOward said...

I also have an extra bar/helmet mount light,so you're set!
Of course you could be a really swell guy and leave the bike at home, just show up and have a fire blazing for us when we return!

We'll probably end up riding Abbey and spinning the road back up, unless someone has something else in mind. There aren't a lot of short loop options from BF.

brett said...

sounds like a hoot!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Howard/Comet: if we do Abbey and spin the road, i should be ok - can always go lightless up the road if I stay close enough to people with lights.

Might like to carry one of your lights as a backup.

See you Thursday.

-mooch

Zach said...

I'll bring some venison!

brett said...

we might stop by for apres ride, if we don't fall asleep. gotta go listen to some middle schoolers make music first.

Sean said...

Are newbs welcome?

HOward said...

Sure Sean. Come on out.

Anonymous said...

Is there any special lights that one would need for this? Never mountain biked at night let alone with a structured group of mountain bikers. I ride with the Ship University team on road bikes and know how racey it gets, is this group the same?
rick

Mr. Sunshine said...

If your not familiar with the terrain in Michaux or haven't ridden at night before this probably isn't the best ride to make your first one with MBM or your first night ride.
I hate to discourage anyone from riding with the group but sacrificing people to the Michaux rocks isn't what MBM is all about.
If you are a solid, experienced mountain biker and don't fear going over the bars in the dark they by all means come ride with us.
If this sounds like a little more than what your looking for then just stop by the parking lot, meet some other mountain bikers and enjoy the meteor shower with us.

And to answer your question Rick, you should have a helmet mounted or handlebar mounted light with at least a 2 hour battery life. And some sort of back up light in you pack in case your primary light fails. The brighter the better.

Luckie said...

I hope there's enough extra lights, I'd like to come and give it a go. I'll also bring a growler of beer that needs dranked up

Anonymous said...

My new light arrived. I won't need one of the spares, so if somebody else can use them, that's great. Thanks for the help Ho and Jo.

- mooch

Anonymous said...

You're right Ho, I don't want to miss this - but I'll have to. I'll wake up the kids near the peak if it looks good from our deck. Enjoy the show! - H

Slowride said...

The night sky was brilliant from Big Flat. We saw several shots across the sky. Thanks to everyone who came out! It was a great time!

Bird Man said...

I showed up after work and Jodi & Howard were still there with the camp fire going strong, in a hours time I'll bet 60-70 meteors shot across the sky. Can't Big Flat for good star viewing in this light polluted area that we live in.

brett said...

man, wish we coulda stayed awake.

Rick said...

I came to meet people last night about 8:30 but found no one. Tried AT parking lot and the ATV Parking lot. Was I at wrong location?
Rick

HOward said...

Rick, sorry you missed us. There are 2 lots at Big Flat, front and rear. We were in the lower corner of the rear lot. Next time.

Thanks to everyone who came out! I don't think a meteor shower is necessary in order to do something like this again. Maybe we'll do it on a Friday night next time.