London Critical Mass ride this friday 27th was an excellent ride
A lot smaller than usual, no doubt due to the holiday season & the inclement weather,however the sound systems added to a great atmosphere and the ride covered a lot of ground, it took up the road well and visited many areas. It left Waterloo and headed to Westminster bridge, not going over Waterloo bridge this time.
Around Parliament sq and the peace camp & the security workers encampment inside fencing. Up Whitehall, where an idiot in a UPS van was driving fast and dangerous into the crowd. There was a great show of solidarity bewteen the cyclists. He was left in the traffic at Trafalgar Sq.
The ride made it`s way along the Strand, up Kingsway where there was an arguement with a motorcyclist, once again a great show of unity by the cyclists. Down Theobalds Rd and up Greys Inn Rd. Once around Kings X,where BT police lined up.Bemused and confused.
Along Euston Rd, again some idiot taxi drivers, left down to Great Russell St, Russell Sq, Along New Oxford St & Oxford St, where the sound systems livened up tired weary commuters waiting at bus stops and waking up consumers from thier sleep. A brief stop at Oxford Circus, a police car put on his blues and twos then turned them off when he was ignored by the mass. Illegal practice!
Down Park Lane, pass Buck House, down The Mall, left into Pall Mall, right onto Piccadilly left onto shaftesbury ave up Charing X rd, up Tottenham Court Rd, then up north to Camden for a change. Thanks to the long boarders for excellent corking. A pleasant ride well received by the majority of the public. Just slight hassles from irate motorists and the usual reactionaries.

All in all though much less hassle in my opinion from a few years back when plod came along. Since thier court defeat they just leave us alone! Look forward to next month. Although with cycling at an all time high in London, everyday is a critical mass!! Happy and safe cycling!