Critical Mass

[spazzdog]

So, I was in New York City this past weekend and my host took me on a VERY interesting group ride.

First, I cycled down to his job on W. 71st from Inwood (W. 207th) along a pretty nifty bike path along the Hudson River. Upon meeting him, he made a few cell calls to find out where the 'group' was... somewhere around 56th and Park. Bob looked at me and said "Stay close". It's 7:00 PM... I have no lights on my bike but hey, it's NYC. No problem. Bob turned on his flicker reflector so I could see him and off we went.

A mad sprint, at that point obeying all traffic laws, to 56th and Park. Get there... no group. More cell phone calls. "Move fast", he says, "they're in Times Sqaure". Another mad sprint... I'm thinking I'm gonna die. But, I manage to stay on his wheel.

Suddenly there is whooping and shouting, sirens and whistles, helicopters overhead and 1000 cyclists in front of me. Bob turns and says "About that fitness level, Gena... you did pretty good. And welcome to Critical Mass"

It was wild. My bike handling skills got the rust shaken off real quick. We went down this street and that, I have no idea where we were. Bob told me to watch out for cyclists coming back at us; it means the police have blocked off the front end and bikes are scrambling. No sooner had he past this little tidbit to me then it got real loud behind us... official type loud. I turned and there were a bunch of scooter cops and 12-15 paddy wagons... yep, paddy wagons.

Sure as a bear poops in the woods bikes started coming back at us. I said "Bob! Now would be a great time to go to dinner!" We made a cut around a corner and sprinted for the other end of the street where we settled into "regular" ccyling the city streets mode.

And that was my first Critical Mass. And the following link will take you to the NY Times article, (I think).

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/25/ny...e5fd0d7e860a52

[doc]

That is a GREAT story. Dinner sounded like an excellent idea. I've got to forward it to my sister who lives in manhattan!

[spazzdog]

Yeah!
Dinner... jail... dinner... jail, hmmmmm?

It was NOT a difficult decision

[Trek420]

Spazzdog, I'm so glad you did not have to bail your bike out!

[spazzdog]

Epesi would have been a very unhappy pony... she's heard what can happen to a pony in jail. She's seen the movie Bikes in Jail: the real Story . She had nightmares for weeks!

[slinkedog]

There is a Critical Mass ride in San Francisco every first Friday of the month, I think it is. Apparently makes for a real traffic disaster in the city. I've never seen it or participated in it. I don't know if I think it's a good idea. Might just make more enemies than friends. My husband has been riding for years and says it seems that there is a contingent of drivers who enjoy creating problems for cyclists. I wonder if these demonstrations help create awareness or just piss people off.

[spazzdog]

I wondered that as well. It seems that in NYC, pre-RNC, the rides were an accepted happening. The mood jovial, the police friendly. According to friends there, it changed when the big boy security (FBI, Secret Service) came to town pre-RNC. The NYC police suddenly got serious.

The organization that (I think) started the rides in NYC is Times Up! http://www.times-up.org . That's all I know about it.

It was quite an experience... I guess the response could be different in each location.

[Trek420]

I think critical mass in SF is the last Friday, but first-last...I can understand the reason for it, I do think it makes more enemies than friends. But sounds like you had fun, Spazzpup and at least you have the group riding skills to do it!

Not to politicize the board but I read that the CM that happened around RNC was a direct response to security denieing permit applications for demonstrations near RNC. Couldn't use the park, couldn't use the street, so since bikes are traffic....I thought that was a creative idea...but don't know if I'd ever do it.