gonesh9

...Was great. No cop cars emitting their fumes, only one motorcycle cop I noticed as we crossed the Broadway bridge, and a handful of bicycle cops that were cordial and just riding with us like any other rider in the mass. None of the historical harrassment going on. I don't know how many cyclists there were, but quite a bunch. Some of them broke off into their own style mass, cruising around downtown wherever they pleased. It was nice that I never noticed any negative attitudes from anyone towards us, and we actually got plenty of cheers from people dining, at bars, at bus stops, etc.

Although the bike cops were generally cool, we still had to keep in order while they were there. After a while, though, they split off and let us be... seems they thought we were harmless enough. The next mile or so was a true celebration of the bicycle. Felt very free.

The evening in pictures....

Gathering by the giant elephant in the North Park blocks.


Getting ready to ride.


I think this was probably the Portland Mercury shooting a picture of people making out for their upcoming issue... can't wait to see it, as there was a mass of bikers in their background.


And we're off..


Cruising through a nice narrow street.


This guy was riding his skateboard when his shorts slid off baring everything, and then flew through a red light. This is the only legal issue I noticed during the ride...


We stopped at every red light like good boys and girls. World famous Powell's books is right there.


Mini bike maintenance required.


Mini chopper cruisin'. Zoobomb certainly has an influence on the bicycle scene here.


Good times.


Looking downtown from Broadway bridge.


Pushing it up Hawthorne bridge.


Another mini bike.


The cops finally split off, and we were free to roam. Sprits soared at this point.


Crossing back over the broadway bridge...


Feeling good coming back into downtown.


The end. Celebration at the fountain follows.

Trek Al

Where did all those homeless people get the money to purchase bicycles?

Al

KrisPistofferson

That's pretty awesome, gonesh, looked like a fun day. Is somebody sweet on a particular female fixie riders?
Cheers-

randya

Nice!

I can put names on a lot of those minibike folks, I ZooBomb with 'em almost every week, and they're all quite charming, friendly and awesome once you get to know 'em!

I was planning on being there, but I got hung up at work and missed it...

Things are definitely improving for Portland's Critical Mass ride since the new mayor took office and rode with us in January, and the anarchists and riot police stopped making it a battleground.

It's a real community ride now!

We're goin' Platinum, baby!

Travelinguyrt

Yeh, but where were the helmets??

randya

Check the pix again, plenty of people are wearing helmets.

On the other hand, who cares? Not riding in dangerous traffic = no need for helmets.

duane041

Wonderful photos. The city looks beautiful! I am thinking about moving there sometime next year. So much for everyone telling me it always rains in Portland

Next time, take a few pictures of the OTHER hotties, would ya???

lilHinault

Beautiful photos of the bikers and the city! The "hottie" is rather tall, isn't she? That's a pretty tall frame she's riding, I judge a "good" frame for me by the lack of headtube space where the top and down tube meet lol! I like the pic earlier of the gal in the orange top, with the super secret pedal system, note foot not making actual contact with pedal! Very very cool photos! Beautiful city, cool people!

scarry

SF was wonderfull. Lot's of pamphlets given out urging peace in the streets.
Good route, Embarcadero, Fishermans wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, Downtown, Lower Van Ness, under the central freeway (that made the cops nervous, but we didn't attempt to mount the freeway) Mission district. Kash and the valet bike parking near some cafe for folks to congragate. Didn't see any mayhem. Saw one cop in an SUV futaily trying to gain control, but that was laughable, he musta been new.
Had a few cocktails, but got home without a hangover.

San Francisco is such a walkable, bikable city, I don't know why all those people are driving around in the first place. Find a place to park that car, and get out and walk, that's the way to enjoy SF. There are several bike rental places in the tourist zone.

I was in one bar before the ride, getting fueled up so to speak, and got in a conversation with this one old gentlman who was telling me how he was such a big rider 10 years ago, did the Death Ride and rode pro and so on.
When he found out I was attending Critical Mass, he wanted to give me a lecture from the angle that he was a "professianal cyclist". Sheesh, the guy hadn't been on a bike in 5 years, give me a break. His wife just rolled her eyes.

bigskymacadam

your camera shots always tell a story. great! thanks for posting!