Laika

Friday evening...7pm...Union Square North...The ride which dare not speak its name....



Ahhh, who'm I kidding. Critical Mass NYC. There's probably one in your town, too. And if there's not, you could start one, if you wanted. Hell, if you start one and I'm ever there, I'll ride it with you.

Or you could tell me angrily what a pain in the butt I am, and how harmful CM is to cycling. That's cool too. I've got a four day weekend, and all's well in the world.

sapolin

Hello there

I'm from Montreal, so I understand while reading many posts what CM is all about (what it can do vs what it is aimed at), but I don't understand the full of it all.

So, if you could explain it, in an objective manner, you'd help me understand better...

(Let me guess it is not the same as Tour de l'Île, in Montreal, or what you aptly call in English the Montreal Bike fest)

Sorry to intrude in your announcement... sincerely wanting to know...

Sapolin

vincenzosi

I'll see you there dude. We still have to figure out where and when to meet. Anyone else from 'round these parts gonna be there?

Laika

Critical Mass is a cycling event. In most cities, it happens on the last Friday of the month, at the end of the workday. Rides vary from as few as three cyclists (yeah, I think Brooklyn in Novemeber set some kind of record) to as many as multiple thousands. Different cyclists ride for different reasons. For me, I ride because it is fun, and because I believe it makes cyclists more visible and suggests the possibilities of a city where cyclists and motorists switch places in the hierarchy of road users.

A good place to start for more and different opinions on CM is:

https://www.critical-mass.org/


And, look! Montréal has pages about their own ride:

https://www.crasseux.com/criticalmass/

https://frigo.ath.cx/velo/masses.critiques.html

Hope that helps!

Yoshi

I'll be there. If you guys decide on a place to meet up, I can meet you there too.

slvoid

Just remember, don't break the law and piss off the fuzz. Oh what am I saying, that's not happening!

sapolin

I obviously won't be there this friday with you, New Yorkers. :-)

Thanks for the info and the links, Laïka, this is very appreciated.

I did not even know this kind of event existed in Montreal.

I'm going to check this all out, though, if there is a ride near this time, I won't be able to participate (deep pain in the left arm, unrepared flat and weather going to snow).

Sapolin

Konakazi

I might go, depends on activities with the girlfriend. Are you guys all meeting up in any specific spot at Union Square? I've missed the past three rides so I'm eager to get back out! I also just bought a bunch of new lights I'd like to show off, haha.

vincenzosi

Union Square North... 6:30ish I guess? It'll give us a chance to hang out before the "festivities" begin...

Konakazi

Right but how will we know who's who?

vincenzosi

heh... You've asked a very good question...

I for one will be wearing a bright orange jacket and a red white and black helmet on a Schwinn mountain bike (I'll be damned if I take my Trek to a CM!). Maybe everyone can just look for me?

Dchiefransom

Yes, you're a major hemorhoid(Sp). J/K.
The problem with looking at Critical Mass is that it's held in many cities, and NYC seems to be the one with the most problems. Heck, I live in the suburban area of San Francisco, and haven't seen Anything at all about it in my papers. If there were supposed problems like in NYC, then it would be splashed across the front page of every paper in my area.
Have a good time tonight, and watch out for NYC cops carrying toilet plungers.

Laika

You're forcing me to do something I hate to do, which is plan my wardrobe in advance.

OK. Tomorrow, I'll be wearing black baggy jeans, a black thermal w/a black Peterbilt tshirt over it, a black hooded sweatshirt and a black Doc Marten boots. The helmet I'll wear tomorrow is black. (are you seeing a theme here?) Just for kicks, I'll probably wear a red bandanna, if it's clean. If not, the bandanna will also be black.

I'm six-two but slouchy. I have brownish hair, bluish eyes and I wear a van**** (goatee+moustache). I'll be riding my mountainbike also...a purple Mongoose hardtail.

Maybe I'll make a little sign. If I do, it will probably be black.

Yoshi, if you want to meet beforehand, I'll meet you on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn bridge, if you want. Post here or PM me.

I'd like to suggest this: It's a big group, most times, so let's set a spot. Once you're in the area where everyone gathers at Union Square North-the enclosed area where they have the farmer's market- look south. There's a big limestone pavillion with two sets of stairs, left and right. It used to be a restaurant. I will be standing by the left hand stairs, by the curb. (Left had as you look at them. The eastern stairs. Closer to brooklyn. Ahhh, just yell "Laika!!" at the top of your lungs.)

See you there!

Konakazi

I'll look for you guys there! I think I might finally get my girlfriend to come along too! Woot.

larue

well I'll be at CM tonight, but not in NYC. anyone in fort myers florida is welcome to join us, we meet at Centennial Park downtown at 6:30p and go from there.
It's cool to think about how many people around the globe are cycling at the same time as you. Well different time zones but at least on the east coast it will be apx the same time heh.

vincenzosi

I still haven't gotten over the shock of doing this to begin with