Theme Ride Thursday: Hello, Spring!

Well hello, spring!

Let’s bid farewell to the winter chill and embrace the vibrant spirit of spring! With the arrival of warmer days and blooming flowers (alongside those pesky allergies), it’s time to rejoice in the great outdoors once more.

Here are some fascinating tidbits about spring:

1. The spring equinox (also known as the vernal equinox) is not always on the 21st of March. This year, spring arrives on March 19 at 11:06 am EDT.
2. On March 19, the sun will cross the celestial equator, an abstract line in the sky positioned directly above Earth’s equator, moving from the southern to the northern hemisphere. For those in the northern hemisphere, it heralds the onset of spring, while for those in the southern hemisphere, it signals the beginning of autumn.
3. The word equinox is derived from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night).
4. During the equinox, the sun rises precisely due east and sets due west.
5. The fastest sunset and sunrise occur on or near the equinox. This is because the sun is setting at its steepest possible angle. 

YES! Spring is here and we can feel it.

To enhance your springtime vibes, we’ve curated two bucket playlists for you. (Members will find them at the end of this post.) Dive into songs celebrating Spring (41 songs) and soak up the Sun and Sunshine (~170 songs) with our specially crafted playlists. Whether you’re still facing snow or eagerly anticipating spring, let these tunes thaw away the winter blues.

Furthermore, explore our additional spring-themed post featuring playlists and profiles inspired by rain and flowers. (You can find that post here.) Mix and match songs from these playlists to create your perfect spring soundtrack.

Let’s embrace the season of renewal and revel in the joy of spring together!

Below, you’ll find a sampling of our favorite songs pulled from our bucket playlists:

Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles, 129 bpm, 3:09
Perfect for a progressive climb at 65 rpm. Written by George Harrison, the lyrics reflect his relief at the arrival of spring and the temporary respite he was experiencing from the band’s business affairs.

Steal My Sunshine, Len, 96 bpm, 4:25
Perfect for a warm-up song to set the mood for spring. This is a one-hit wonder performed by a brother and sister duo. Fern’s one-hit wonder profile featured this track.

I Can See Clearly Now, by Johnny Nash, 123 bpm, 2:45
If you don’t start to move the moment this timeless classic starts playing, something must be amiss! Brighter days are on the horizon; thanks to Johnny Nash for keeping us in check! You can also find a version by Jimmy Cliff with 120 bpm. Both versions are perfect to welcome the break in the clouds while climbing.

Beautiful Day, U2, 136 bpm, 4:06
The song is about finding joy in the small things in life. ICA profiled this song as a Friday Favorite. Use the chorus to push intensity, either with higher resistance or faster cadence, at 0:56–1:11 (15s), 1:39–2:07 (28s), and 2:50–3:45 (55s).

Up with the Birds, Coldplay, 120 bpm, 3:45
“Up with the Birds” is a musical portrayal of the sun breaking through, instantly infusing a dreary day with vibrancy. Chris Martin’s soothing vocals are complemented by sweeping strings and uplifting choral elements. The song starts quietly; begin with a recovery, then start building your climb at 1:50.