SpokEasy

Stars in My Eyes?

\"starsI think I\’ve got stars in my eyes.

It would be wonderful if I could watch the stars when I\’m out for a ride. As usual, however, I have to watch where I\’m going, which does not mix with star-gazing. I have to content myself with quick glances at the sky; and if I don\’t know exactly where to look, it\’s hard to find any of the constellations.

In addition, electrical illumination drowns out most of the stars. On the rare occasion when I\’m away from city lighting, I\’m amazed at how many stars I can see; and I always want to think that the Milk Way is clouds! In fact, under such conditions it\’s hard to pick out the constellations; not because I don\’t know where to look, but because of all the \”clutter\”.

This beach looks dark enough for me to get plenty stars in my eyes; but I don\’t think I\’d want to try riding on it. The narrow, 100 psi tires of a road bike don\’t do so well on a soft, yielding surface. I might have to get a beach cruiser; or a fat tire bike.

Getting  back to the constellations, wouldn\’t it be neat to go on a bicycle safari, and find your way at night by following the stars?  In his account of his raft voyage across the Pacific, Thor Heyerdahl mentions how very easy it was to navigate by following the stars. If it can be done at sea, why not on land?