Critical Mass
I just heard from a little birdie that there is going to be a Critical Mass bike ride this Friday at six pm.
Now I am a fan and a critic of Critical Mass rides. I have had some of the best times of my life riding in the monthly celebration of bike riding called critical mass. Seeing that many people riding bicycle on the streets together is a transformative experience. It is safe, fun, and exhilarating. I think it could also be a transformative experience for people who are not even riding, but for those who see us riding in their cars, standing on the side walk or staring out their windows.
My critic of the event comes through because I have been on rides where some people’s focus has been on reveling in hostile confrontations with motorists. I am all for standing up for my rights as a cyclist, but I think the point of these rides should be attracting more people to the joys of riding bikes. If you are getting into screaming matches with some soccer mom in a S.U.V. I don’t think you are making the event more appealing to those who aren’t yet participating ( and speaking for myself, you aren’t making the event more appealing to me as a participant).
My other critic is the shop closes at 7pm.
So ... lets get out there and have some fun. It is going to be a critical shred.