_ It’s the effort to stop the number of drunk’n land speeders...
and the tragedies YOU KNOW THEY CAUSE.

I was seeing the term "Critical mass" and thinking it was an exclusive cycle group of hard core riders. It was while reading about upcoming events on a Chicago cycling,social network, that I began to understand what was happening.
A, once a month, bike ride that starts down town Chicago and includes everyone and anyone that shows up with a Bicycle...or any pedal powered vehicle.

I did some research on the internet before the ride and found out that this event has been happening on the last Friday of the month...for years...since 1997. How could I have never heard of this before now? I even tried to explain it to other People and no one knew about it. It isn't a small group either...I was expecting about a thousand cyclists, and I wasn't disappointed.

From the Critical Mass website:
The Critical Mass is a coincidental convergence of bicyclists at
Daley Plaza the last Friday of every month. We all bike together
from there to some destination, which is announced at the assembly
point.http://chicagocriticalmass.org/

Starting from the Daily center,down town Chicago, The group of riders are called to formation by the blowing of a horn. Previous to this, everyone was basically just standing, straddling their bikes...talking to each other, and waiting. I could see cliques as I scanned the plaza where we all were gathering. There were BMX riders, Fixed gear cyclists, commuters, A group showing off Custom, Chrome, "Pee Wee Herman" looking Bikes. There were all types of riders from all walks of life... with one thing in common.

But when the Horn sounded, we all became something bigger, something stronger. The "Mass" is so large that it circled the block to get lined up before heading out. Many didn't even know where they were headed and just followed the pack.
The maps were printed out and distributed only 30 minutes before the start of the ride. The maps are made of cloth instead of paper, and are screen pressed right there on the side walk by a volunteer. Every aspect of the event is done by volunteers, on the spot and impromptu. Critical Mass is not an organized event and officially does not exist. Until everyone gathers at the day and time, determined years ago, it is just an Idea of what might happen.

When I dropped off the curb and into the street, It was a feeling very different than when I ride solo.
On the way to the Daily center, I was paranoid that I would be hit,grazed,possibly killed while riding to my destination. Being a cyclists on the streets of Chicago is a scarey thing, and the more evolved I get in the cycling community, the more I am aware of the dangers.
I personally have been the victim of the attitude motorists have toward cyclists on the streets...and it isn't anything pretty. But for the first time, riding in the Mass, I felt like I had the support of my fellow riders and we had the power for this one ride.

It was truly a "Happy Friday"...and I started hearing others shout  this greeting to on lookers as we rode. Folks walking their dogs, eating at open cafes, or hanging out their windows...smiled at this spectacle and shouted "Happy Friday!" back. I saw peoples faces light up as they realized the magnitude of the group rolling passed...like a wave of good vibes that was contagious.

I can't wait until next Critical Mass...

The Mass I rode in was about One thousand riders even though the weather was rainy. I could only imagine what it would be like during the summer on a gorgeous night.
With that many cyclist on the streets, all moving in the same direction as one group...other vehicles had to yield to the Mass. Crossing through intersections, cars and trucks had no choice but to wait. The group maintained it's formation, unbroken, until the last rider cleared to the other side.
The increased wait at traffic lights for the precession of bikes did not sit well with some motorists. While a majority of drivers honked and cheered out their windows with us...there are always two or three that are not amused. It wasn't until after the ride,searching for more information on my "Happy Friday",that I learned there were people against the Mass. Some feel it paints cyclists in a bad light and portrays them as thugs and law breakers for participating in Critical Mass.

click play for Scott Rowan interview with Mike McConnell of WGN...

In my Opinion...
Scott Rowan is an "anti-Critical Mass" "cyclist" that has been gaining airtime on Television and radio so he can sell a book he wrote. He has taken an unusual stand for someone that claims to be an avid cyclist...and alienated himself from the cycling community.

It almost makes sense...even with my fuck up...but it's too stupid to pull off.
The one fucking time Ice-T(FinalLevel on twitter) re-tweets My tweet...I fuck up big time. As, I'm shouting to my Girlfriend..."Hey, look...I bet all of his followers will follow me now!". I see the responses to my faux pas.

I don't know exactly when the gear shifter on my bike started giving me problems. It happened so gradually that I was adjusting my shifting techniques to compensate for the malfunctioning lever. The final straw was when I could no longer shift into the largest chain ring on the crankset (the gears on your pedals). I was pumping the shift lever so much that my thumb started to hurt. I was actually getting carpel tunnel from shifting gears...and the guys on fixies are smirking..

I had a Bike Mechanic take a look at my shifter while he was performing a tune-up at a promotional event. I guess I can't complain about the job he did, it was free. I was in better shape than when I rode into the shop and you get what you pay for.
He said that the shifter probably had a "broken tooth" that was preventing me from shifting into "3".
It sounded about right...I guessed I'd just have to find a used shifter for the ole Voodoo.
I had to see for my self though...so I started taking it apart.
But I didn't know what I was looking at.
Even when I took the cover off and looked inside, It looked like a Swiss clock.

I was actually on my way to buy a water bottle cage,a quest if you will.
As usual,trying to save a buck, I was riding all over town searching for a cheep water bottle cage.
I saw a guy on a bike depositing an envelope in a mail box, on Elston as I was heading toward the loop. I asked if he knew where REI was, I've seen it mentioned in discussion threads. Surely they would have the elusive discounted, clearance water bottle cage.
He did not know where the REI was, but instead, suggested I go to "Rapid transit" cycle shopon North and Wolcott.

I ended up buying a water bottle cage at Rapid Transit...Aand when the guy asked me,"is that all you need?"...I said, "NO, but it's all i can afford".
I explained that I needed a shifter and was looking for a cheap, used one.
He preceded to hoist my bike on to the bike repair rack and start checking it out.

The whole time I was making sure he knew I was broke and couldn't possibly pay for his service. He kept on turning my crank, no pun intended,and running through the gears while spraying alcohol at the shifter.
He said it was probably just stuck and needed to be loosened up and kept squirting the alcohol at the shifter.
And then...it shifted...the chain moved over and caught the ring with a familiar click.
he said, "here you go..good as new"...
I sighed, "son of a bitch".

I really did get a good bargain on that damn water Bottle Cage...Thanks to Rapid transit.
http://www.rapidtransitcycles.com/

Riding on Michigan ave. (Chicago,IL) I came across a group of Tourist gathered around a huge Touch screen thing along the side walk.

This display allows you to take a picture
and then customize it with something they call "scribe technology".
It's basically paint pens that lets you draw on the picture using your finger.
After taking the picture and clumsily fingering it...they give you the option of e-mailing the master piece to your self.
I figured it was a clever way to get your e-mail and spam your inbox with HTC ads...but even though I sent myself three,or four pictures...I haven't gotten any spam . YET

It was a cool outing, and my first group ride...and with strangers no less. We took the route that lead us through the intersection at Chicago and Halsted. Leah raised her arm as she rode through and many cheered...I rang my bicycle bell.
We stopped at the CTA HQ and practiced putting our bikes on a "mock-up" of a bus with a bike rack. At the half way point there was a lunch at the "french market".(that's when I first realized I smelled like B.O.)
Then we headed to the lakefront and back North, where people pealed off as they came to the streets taking them to their respective homes.
Ya...I'm guessing it's the first annual "Crashaversary"...and I can say I was there.

Then I spotted a "clump" of grapes hanging on the vine.