Hartford Critical Mass. Anyone do this?
 

I might swing by.I'm just wondering how many people show up and what kinds of attitudes do most people bring.I've had enough confrontation to last 2 or 3 lifetimes and don't need any hassles.Anyone here plan on going?

Any links?
I've been cycling in the Htfd area for most of my life, and have never heard of a CM ride here.

Bushnell park carousel at 5:30 pm last Friday of the month.It's on the Critical Mass website.Maybe no one shows up after all.

Every last Friday of the month,5:30pm,Bushnell Park carousel. It's on the Critical Mass website along with Manchester,New Haven,etc...

Double posted, but you get the idea

What's the point of doing this? I just did a google search, and the critical mass site is a blocked address here at work. Clue me in?

Yeah, I looked it up on the CM site.

I've seen them in Hartford, now that I think about it. A small group of the messengers and hipsters meet. Doesn't look like they have much enthusiasm. or many riders.

Anyway, I'm not a big fan of CM. With no stated specific purpose, all they end up doing is pissing off people stuck in the traffic they cause. All the drivers see is cyclists blocking traffic.

That doesn't garner respect or awareness in any way.

FWIW, my friend and blog-mate is a huge proponent of CM in the Beat, and he has a big write-up of the one today at our blog (the Beat Bike Blog, which you should check out if you're in the Hartford area).

rankin and murbike, I think the idea is to raise awareness of bicycles as a legitimate part of traffic, with all the attendant rights. To be sure, it may cause more animosity than awareness (especially in car-loving Central Connecticut), but I think it can have some positive effects too, especially for people who might be on the fence about riding in the city. It can show them that there really are other cyclists here and it really can be done.

Yep, I hear ya.

I was referring more to the tactics used by CM during their rides. Things like 'corking' (blocking intersections so that the ride can pass unimpeded), jamming up the roads, and all of the other stuff does not raise awareness of bicycles as traffic. It makes cyclists look like impediments to traffic.

I'm not sure how the Hartford ride progresses (I work out of town, but will try to attend one day), but the actions the riders take under the guise of education in other cities does more damage to the image of cyclists than it would raise awareness in drivers eyes. Many drivers have a hard time accepting us when we ride in groups of two, never mind a mob of ill behaved people on bikes blocking traffic, promoting whatever political agenda they happen to have.

Showing cyclists that they can ride in the city is great. Pissing off drivers (the vast majority of traffic) while doing it is not the best way, though.

That being said, have fun. I love city riding (Hartford, Philly, NYC, Boston, and many in between).

That was my impression as well, that it would just cause more bad feelings toward cyclists. I have never attended one, but maybe I should, just to see how it gets done around here. I think if it's done correctly, it would be beneficial.