Jason: Critical Mass - June 29, 2007
Author: Jason
Date: 29 June, 2007
Category: Critical Mass, Road Stories
Tonight I took part in one of the most exhilerating things I’ve ever done with a group of people — my first Critical Mass ride. What is Critical Mass? Here’s one definition:
Critical Mass is a monthly bicycle ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists’ right to the road. The idea started in San Francisco in September 1992 and quickly spread to cities all over the world. Critical Mass has no leaders, and no central organization licenses rides. In every city that has a CM ride, some locals simply picked a date, time, and location for the ride and publicized it, and thus the ride was born. CM is an idea and an event, not an organization.
More than 50 cyclists came out tonight for the ride, riding everything from fixies to road bikes, mountain bikes to hybrids. There was also an inline skater and a skateboarder. It was wonderful! We cruised through the lights, taking an entire lane and reveling in the rare feeling of security and confidence that is sometimes hard to find when commuting by bike here in the Flower City.
Before, during and after the ride, I interviewed riders using the Hipcast mobile audio blogging service, which allows you to post instant audio clips to a blog using your cell phone.
- I also took pictures.
Please send me your pictures, and please post your own comments on the ride using the comment form below this post. Thanks!
For your listening pleasure, here are the interviews, many conducted while riding. Enjoy!
#1: Adam Durand
MP3 File
#2: Ally, Ray & Jenna
MP3 File
#3: Dave Skinner
MP3 File
#4: John Cuminale
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#5: At the Liberty Pole
MP3 File
#6: Monroe Ave, while riding out of the city
MP3 File
#7: Dawn Zupelli, while riding
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#8: Paul Fuller, while riding
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#9: Monroe Ave, while riding back to the city
MP3 File
#10: Culver Road on the way to Park Ave
MP3 File
#11: Main St, post-ride
MP3 File
Remember to post your own stories from this ride using the comment form below. See you on July 27!
p.s. — You should also check out these brilliant Critical Mass leaflets from Rochester’s past!
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