In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, this date is known as the Glorious Twelfth, the start of the shooting season for red grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica). The season ends December 10. The ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) also are hunted to a lesser extent during this period. Since English law prohibits game bird shooting on a Sunday, the season starts August 13 when the 12th falls on a Sunday. The traditional date is enshrined in England and Wales by the Game Act 1831, and in Northern Ireland by the Wildlife Order of 1985. Prior to the Game Act of 1831, the Game Act of 1773 stipulated that red grouse, or "red-game," could not be sold before August 12, effectively starting the shooting season on this day. Some restaurants in London have long prided themselves on serving grouse on the Glorious Twelfth, with birds shot that morning immediately transported to London via rail, a tradition that persists to the present day. But in 2024, reportedly no restaurants in London offered grouse due to an unusually cold breeding season and unrealistically high prices. No word yet on 2025. Credit: https://w.wiki/F2XG I was glad to join the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club today for the B ride. I'm hoping the join the club more often while I'm in Santa Cruz. I might have joined the A ride, but I saw the A route included Felton-Empire road, which I think I would not have enjoyed. I rode up Felton-Empire road at least twice, but I was fitter (and lighter) then. At the start, I was glad to see several members I haven't seen for years, especially Tony, who often supported me on rides when I was just getting started with the club. I rode a bit with Judy, and we were joined by Osman at the Sunset Beach turnaround. I enjoyed chatting with Osman and checking out his belt-driven fixie. I'll never be able to do the stuff Osman does routinely on his fixie! I kept up with Judy and Osman most of the way back to the start, but they dropped me in Seacliff. And get this: After I completed the ride at Capitola Community Center (where I was all alone), I drove by Judy and Osman riding back through Seacliff 90 minutes later!