Southeast - Critical mass....HISSSS!!!

I've seen a lot of stuff on critical mass. I think I'll just call it Fixical Ass.

We've all seen them in downtown on the last friday of every month. The fixed gear legion of doom with no helmets or disregard for safety of riders and drivers alike. Running red lights, corking intersections, and the whole shabang. But I digress

I will humbly and safely ride from my altamonte home to loch haven park this friday to see what Critical Mass Orlando has become.

My voice recorder, camera, and notepad will be joining me.

Critical mAss = more harm than good.

I've seen a lot of stuff on critical mass. I think I'll just call it Fixical Ass.

We've all seen them in downtown on the last friday of every month. The fixed gear legion of doom with no helmets or disregard for safety of riders and drivers alike. Running red lights, corking intersections, and the whole shabang. But I digress

I will humbly and safely ride from my altamonte home to loch haven park this friday to see what Critical Mass Orlando has become.

My voice recorder, camera, and notepad will be joining me.

I've wanted to check it out. But their website shows dates from 2007. Is it still running, and what time does it start (4:30?)? Any bike welcome? How fast, how far?

My gut says you have described the event accurately, unfortunately. But, I would like to go out there with an open mind (if there is really an event to attend...).

Edit: found a myspace page that says it is going on 5:30 Friday. Will try to be there.

See ya there.

I do the critical mass here in Tampa on a regular basis, meets across from Busch Garden, Many, but not all try to follow the rules as much as they can. Unfortunately, the ride "organizers" are amongst those that don't. I and many others here also agree that the "corking" of streets to let a group get through is 100% counter productive. Slowly convincing 1 or 2 a ride that riding safe and sane is the goal I'll go after.

I rode Critical Mass Orlando tonight. It looked like about 100 bikes +/-. The 'default' rider was a college kid on a fixie, but there were exceptions. Only a couple other riders wore helmets. The group stopped for lights, but...

If the light turned while the group was part way through, someone volunteered to play funeral escort until the group got through. I'm sure it's illegal, yet practical. They were well behaved, 100%, otherwise. The public was curious, and surprisingly supportive. Only two people I saw were p.o.'d about being held at a light. Otherwise, a lot of honks and waves, and cell phones recording the event.

I would go again. I imagine there would be even more riders if it didn't rain next time. The event was just as advertised--no rules, just ride. But neither the group or any individuals were rude or out of control, that I could see. I would say the impact on the public was mildly positive, on balance; p.o.'d a couple road rage types, but most onlookers were having fun with it.

Aewsome, chewy! It sounds like the drivers of Orlando are more tolerant of bicycles on the streets than most of those posting in this thread. I would like to hear how this same event was seen from the perspective of a participant who brought a negative attitude to the ride. Kirby, did you make it?