September 29, 2007

• Critical Mass

  As you may or may not be aware, in my spare time, I enjoy cycling. On a real bike, not a stationary one that goes nowhere. Also, because I have no instinct for self preservation, I cycle through the streets. I am that guy on the bicycle holding up the traffic lanes because you are too nice and/or scared to drive around me and risk me denting your mercedes.

  Not that moving traffic is the only thing I have to worry about. The sound of a car door opening in front of you is similar to the sound of a gun being cocked. You know it wont end well for anyone.

  Anyhoo, This weekend was a monthly event in chicago I have been meaning to attend since I moved downtown. Namely, Critical Mass. Critical Mass occurs the last friday of every month, regardless of weather. Thousands (no joke!) of cyclists gather together at daley plaza, and then take back the streets, cycling throughout chicago to wherever the months endpoint is to party. It is not a race, though there are those who go faster than others. It is not a political movement, though many agendas participate, not the least of which is anti-car. It is not social networking, though you meet many folks while riding. It is simply a bunch of people coming together to ride their bikes because frankly, they can.
  
  Note: These pics can in NO WAY accurately represent the sheer number of people who participated. Main streets were literally so clogged that at times cyclists had to walk straddling their bikes simply because we could not acieve enough momentum even to balance

  
  All sorts come out of the woodwork for this event

  
  And once we get started, traffic literally stops. It has no choice, for the sheer volume of cyclists has reached a critical mass that cannot be ignored

  
  (^movie reference^-can you catch it?)

  
  You can see the lone car trapped in an unending river of cyclists. Poor guy was told by most of us to turn his car off, he wasnt going anywhere for a while.

  The ride lasted about 3 hours, going back and forth across the city, high fiving motorists stuck like the one above, waving to people who honked their support, and yelling HAPPY FRIDAY to anyone who would listen. We even had a marching band!

  
  Well, you get the idea

  I also set a new personal record for cycling-this trip around the city covered 32 miles in one go. I am sitting here typing this because I cannot actually feel my legs anymore.

  Time to oktoberfest the rest of my weekend up!

  SHoutOut:
  DamnSting: You live in SB now, get yo’self a bike!

  • 12:44 pm
  • 3 Comments