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Summer Solstice: Eight Sportives Marking the Longest Day of the Year this Weekend

by Nick Gregory

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Summer Solstice: Eight Sportives Marking the Longest Day of the Year this Weekend

This Sunday, 21 June, is the longest day of the year: the Summer Solstice.

In different countries around the world people mark the occasion in many different ways. In Iran, Jashn-e Tiregân, or the feast of Tiregan, is an ancient festival which coincides with the midsummer. Traditionally, adults and children tie rainbow-coloured bands on their wrists for ten days, before they are removed and thrown into streams - to celebrate children and new life.

In the UK, every year thousands of revellers flock to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to celebrate the solstice. But if you'd rather give that a miss and save holding hands with strangers in the West Country for Glastonbury next weekend, what better way to mark the summer solstice than on you bike?

Here's a list of great sportives taking place this weekend that will give you the chance to mark the longest day of the year on your bike!

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(Image: Flickr - Paul Townsend)