Bike Forums - Houston Critical Mass, December

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Houston Critical Mass, December

I might be stuck in the Houston area on the day after Xmas. Who's going? I won't know anyoneeee if I go. Which is fine, but it's always more fun with drinking buddies, of course.

There's a CM in Houston? Really?

It's the last friday of the month 7pm at tranquility park, I have only been twice but had a blast.

I'll be there. Last month was my first, and I had a blast. The end was a little disorganized, not really a great stopping point, but whatever, I had fun.

Thats another thing I'm worried about. I'll probbly have to call someone to come get me towards the end. I don't know Houston well enough to get back to my family's house with a safe route.

I'm not positive I'll be there yet anyways, just wanted to make sure it wasn't totally dead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinpols (Post 8040533)

It was about a ten mile ride, and we ended up a few miles from downtown (SE on Navigation). It wasn't so bad. There were about 100 people or so. I got grooved on the light rail track and took a nasty spill. ;)

Stay home. CM does nothing but gives cyclists a bad name and gets negative press. Do something positive with your time to promote cycling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSUTexan93 (Post 8041830)

Stay home. CM does nothing but gives cyclists a bad name and gets negative press. Do something positive with your time to promote cycling.

Not every Critical Mass is the same. The Houston one is pretty mild and generally tries to stay out of the way of motorists where possible, in my experience. Yes lights are rolled, but only when there's not oncoming cross-traffic.

How do I find out more about this? It sounds like fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSUTexan93 (Post 8041830)

Stay home. CM does nothing but gives cyclists a bad name and gets negative press. Do something positive with your time to promote cycling.

I ride critical mass every month in Austin, and I know that it does do some good. There are people out there who dont realize bikes are a viable form of transportation. When they see a parade of bikes in downtown, it opens their eyes.

I just asked if anyone was going and would want to hang out. Your contribution was not called for, and I respectfully disagree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_heineken (Post 8042795)

How do I find out more about this? It sounds like fun.

Just google Critical Mass Cityname. For Houston its a Myspace page. Austin's some other thing. A vast majority of Critical Masses (Houston included) are on the last Friday of the month, though there are a few exceptions.

Critical Mass has a history. There's a 50 minute documentary: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...14458200750949

"We're not blocking traffic. We are traffic."

I see your horns, so here's info on the Austin one:

Quote:

Start: 12/26/2008 - 5:00pm

This weather has been crazy lately, almost as crazy as that venerable Austin bike insitution: CRITICAL MASS! This month the ride meets on the UT West Mall at 5pm on the 26th, aka the last Friday of the month, as has been decreed by those who came before us. This is the day after Christmas and EVERYONE has it off, unless you work at a nuclear power plant or something, but the point is that you have no school, you have no work, and chances are you have relatives hanging around, so lend them your spare bike and COME RIDE CRITICAL MASS! With any luck you won't be sweating on this ride, but with the way the weather has been lately there are no guarantees. The last couple rides have ended at kegs on the east side, but who know what's going to happen this month. I'll actually be riding Critical Mass in Portland this month (where my family resides), so I'll look forward to an awesome ride report from all of y'all. Remember to bring flashy lights and lots of them, the cops seem to have a problem seeing large groups of bicyclists and I'd hate to see another one plow into a cyclist unnecessarily. Waitaminute, when is it necessary? Nevermind, just bring lights.

http://www.atxbs.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by kylejack (Post 8041055)

That was YOU!? On the light rail track?!

That **** looked like it hurt!

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4bandit (Post 8045528)

That was YOU!? On the light rail track?!

That **** looked like it hurt!

The scars have healed, but my right wrist still hurts like hell. I'm going to get it looked at. I thought I had the angle right, but my tire slipped right into the groove and locked up.

Thanks for the link to the video kyle.

It looks like a really slow ride. I know that traffic through Houston moves a lot fast then that.

-Nate