Things will start improving at 11:47 a.m. today, which is when the winter solstice will take place, marking the year’s shortest day and longest night. We’ll only get nine hours of daylight today — use them wisely.
Winter solstice happens in the Northern Hemisphere because the earth’s axial tilt is at its farthest from the sun. The sun is closer to the horizon, thus giving out its least amount of daylight and shortening the day and lengthening the night.
Beginning Tuesday, however, the days will start getting longer. Every day takes us closer to spring and then summer. We’ll be able to bike outside again.
Bottom line: summer solstice happens on June 21, and RAGBRAI begins on July 25 — a mere 215 days from now.
Brome Hill 