About me: Second Fridays of the Month! Meet at Parc Sans Souci, downtown, near the fountain. Yeah.
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This is a worldwide event.
Cyclists gather to ride together as a single being, a Critical Mass.
This tradition developed sometime in the past 18 years, when a overseas traveller returned to America and began doing a bike ride in his big city.
Since then, it has spread to over 400 cities worldwide (and then some)
Here in Lafayette, we ride every 2nd Friday in the spirit of kicking off 2nd Saturdays (Artwalk, DTA (sometimes of the year) and other all-around good things going on.
We congregate at Parc Sans Souci (you know the one with the run-through fountain) beginning at 5:30pm and plan to rollout around 6:00pm depending on the conditions.
Plan to bring, 1.) water and 2.) a snack bar as the summer rides might be a bit fatiguing if you aren't in the shape you'd like to be.
The rides last anywhere from 45-90 minutes. Which at a leisurely pace, yields 6-10 miles, looping back eventually to the downtown area.
When the ride is over, riders often go off to their favorite place in smaller groups.
Someone often hosts an after party.
It's a part free music event, if you have an instrument bring it on!
If you want snacks or drinks, bring em.
Bring your good vibes and energetic thoughts.
Don't bring anything nasty or illegal, that wouldn't be too neighborly, would it?
There are no politics to critical mass. There is no cause or specific activity. The only statement we make by being on the road, is that bikes are here, and people use them, rely upon them to get around, and need safe routes to work, school, and to fun.
Be nice to the car drivers, when they honk at you, ask them how their day is going.
Yield to pedestrians and CITY BUSES, their in this with us too. Also yield to emergency vehicles, no one needs bad karma.
Ride the right lane on a four lane when possible.
In neighborhoods, yield to oncoming traffic.
When several riders "CORK" the intersections when the lights turn red, just keep going, but do look both ways as you go.
You're responsible for yourself, but also to each other.
Sometimes the people up front chart the way. So if you want to see something in particular, get to the front.
If you're up front, always check behind to make sure the mass isn't getting too separated.
This isn't a race, it's a modest pace.
The rollout time is 6:00pm
If you're scared of cars.....just keep riding, this is just like the wild, if riders cower on the right hand side of the road, cars will hit you.
If you're in a group riding several across, and tow that left side of the lane, the cars will ease their pace a bit and be more cautious....
you are a biker after all, and what has every driver been trained for.....?
Look out for darting kids, and inattentive bicyclists.!
We aren't inattentive, but they don't know that!
And, don't be afraid to take turns.
And always, ........YEAH BIKE!
Who I'd like to meet: Happy pedal pushing bio-powered people on bikes, trikes, tandems, recumbents, side-cars, tow-alongs and the like.
Bring streamers, bring flyers, YOURSELF, and A FRIEND
i am compiling a list of people who can fix bikes, who are willing to lend advice, have tools to share, have place to work on bikes, have a lot of extra parts, etc...the the idea being that a network of folks who can help and are willing to share their resources can come together for those who might otherwise not be able to ride safely without---or not at all.
Sometimes just sharing something as simple as lubricants or a little advice with a crescent wrench can make all of the difference.
if you are one of those people who can help in any way, send me a message and tell me about what you are willing to share.
ill have to see if i can build a bike just for friday. i was on a way to one of my races and now i have a smashed 10,000 dollar bike. ill have to talk about polo with you guys i will talk to jack about it he stopped because no one was coming so we will have to talk to the group.
