Critical Mass

Decided I might give this a go tormorrow.

Never done it before - don't care about any politics they might have.

Good excuse for a ride through the city in numbers / safety.

Anyone here been there and has thoughts?

Scotty

I turned up to a Melb one a while back.
I think everyone with an intrest in cycling should rock up to at least one of them. The politics, everything else, you can make your mind up about after doing it.

Its maybe a little too left for most, but there's a pretty wide range of people that do this & it seems that everyone gets something different from it.

__________________
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'03 Specialised Stumpjumper 27spd hardtail MTB.
'90 Apollo MTB commuter rigid ss 44/18.
'02 Kinesis Crosslight cyclocross/roadie 27spd.

If you guys are talking about the rides that block roads to get cyclists points of view across, I would say don't. It's detrimental to cyclists' cause.

Not every one (in fact very few in Australia's sprawling cities) lives close enough to work/school to ride... believe me if I could I would.

If i am off track here then please forgive me, but if I have the right topic then please don't do this, just gives cyclists a bad name.

I am particularly refering to those in the outer suburbs (of Melb which is where I am), public transport is non-existant here, and I have no option but a car when I have to make the 90 km round trip to school twice a week in a 1 hour (each way) time span.

I'm surprised cyclists seem to have a problem with this group. I thought the point they were making was "if you don't put the infrastructure in place so that we can ride safely on the road or elsewhere, then this is the way we will have to ride to be safe on the road"

Good point, well made.

Thanks! (I think that was directed at me!)

I just think it makes far more enemies than friends . Australian cities, IMO, don't cater well for anything but cars for convenient commuting.

Just re-read your post...if this is the purpose of these rides, then the problem is the ever-sensationalist media turning it into "ride a bike or don't go to work" which average joe gets entirely sucked in to.

I went along tonight.

It was a blast. Great fun.

Didn't notice any other political agenda except bike politics (with exception of one guy handing out anti-globalisation fliers).

Lots of friendly people and lots of nice ladies to chat to. Well, that's the extent of it for me - my wife would object. But you single guys ...

how do you find out about it?

post the next meet up

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

I think it's the last Friday of every month. I stand to be corrected....

But wait, there's more. Have a look at http://www.criticalmass.org.au/

Sydney Crictical mass site is


http://www.bikesarefun.org/
Yes, last friday of the month (except december - 2nd last)

meet 5:30 at Hyde Park north (archibold fountain). start at around 6.

Last night there were hundreds of us. Not sure how many, but I would say somewhere between 200-400. We stretched out over a few blocks.

Surprisingly very little agro from drivers who are probably used to it by now.

Scotty

how far do you go?

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

Apparently it changes every month.

This time we went

Macquarie Street (left onto) Hunter (L) George.
Stop on Park/George for a bike lift (about 1-2 mins)
(L) Park, (R) Elizabeth, (L) Liverpool, (across) to Oxford Street
(L) onto Crown, (L) William, (L) Elizabeth.
Down to the Railway (R) onto Hay, (L) onto Pitt
Through Railway Sq onto Lee St. (R) Cleveland (L) onto Pricess Hwy down to Newtown.

My GPS recorded 8.6 kms, but I think the buildings blocking it from the satelitte (at times) may make that a little off. We took about an hour or so. Really easy ride. Plenty of time to chat and look at the ladies on their way to the nightclubs (but I closed my eyes doen Oxford street :-) )

I didn't hang around for the party because I didn't think to bring any money ($5.00 entry including a slice of pizza and drink plus contribution to hall hire - I think they said) or my U-Lock and didn't know anyone to beg or borrow from.

Heard talk of next month riding around the Quay then ferry to Manly for a ride around there. Although a lot of ppl seemed to groan at that announcement - so it may not happen.

Does anyone know if there is anyone of those Nude cycle demonstrations planned for Sydney?

I personally would just love to get my gear off for such a worhty cause!!