I think Critical Mass doing a ride out there would be an absolute disaster for the cycling community and would do irreparable damage to our relationship with the local leaders out there. This whole thing with the Waller County Sheriff came about because of some unique miscommunications and the stupidity of a couple of deputies who didn't understand how their actions could be misunderstood. Taking a bunch of in your face anarchists on bikes out there to deliberately antagonize people would do absolutely nothing positive, and would likely mobilize the community to make it as difficult as possible for any future cycling activities in the area. Sure, somebody might think it is good for a few laughs to see some skinny jeans hipster piss off a dude in a cowboy hat driving a truck, but please don't kid yourself that it would help the situation in any way.

The reality is that a lot of the drivers out there are right...there are some dicks on bikes that won't move over. Those same two or three riders riding out there across the entire lane that are forcing riders to cross the yellow line to pass them are also refusing to move over to single file for cars as well. That is against the law and we have no right to be upset if the Sheriff decides to start writing tickets for it. The law says we can ride two abreast...BUT ONLY...if we can do it without impeding the flow of traffic.

The reality is that it is time for the MS Ride Marshals to step up this year and become true ride marshals instead of a mobile tire changing crew. The Ride Marshals are going to have to ride up to the rolling roadblocks riding 2-3 across and either convince them to move to single file so people can pass, or take down their numbers and report them in to ride organizers so they can be removed from the course at the next break point. Until we get much more aggressive at policing the behavior of the few bad apples on our own, we should expect law enforcement to do the policing for us. It isn't difficult...just follow the law and they won't ticket you.