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london critical mass pics

rikki | 02.06.2013 18:09 | London

several hundred cyclists joined the lindon critical mass on friday night as weather improved for the may bike ride

kingsway underpass
kingsway underpass

southampton row
southampton row

eversholt st
eversholt st

spectator
spectator

camden
camden

circus
circus

buck pal
buck pal


click on pics for larger versions - free for credited non-commercial use, otherwise contact author
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critical mass takes place on the last Friday of every month, with cyclists, skaters and boarders meeting up from 6pm on the south bank underneath Waterloo bridge.

the warmer evening attracted between three and four hundred cyclists, and they set off just after 7pm, over Waterloo bridge, under the kingsway underpass, and slowly north through camden.

unusually, des kay, known for his fab colourful uberbike, his loud hunting horns, and also for his successful case against the police in order to establish the lawful procession status of the ride, was nowhere to be seen. in fact, he was riding quietly on a 'normal' bike, the first time he could remember, getting a different perspective on the ride for once.

Haverstock hill was too much for the skateboarders, and so the ride peeled off east, and doubled back down through Camden and eventually west along Oxford street to Oxford circus for a little celebratory pause.

for the most part, corking (preventing vehicles from splitting the mass, by blocking their path at side roads and traffic junctions) had been effective, with few incidents, but on park lane, the mass got a little sprawled out and some cars drove among the bikes. one particular stupid driver caused a bit of altercation after driving at speed through the bikes, hooting angrily, and coming very close to colliding with cyclists.

by the time the ride reached Buckingham palace, it was beginning to get dark, and a lot of cyclists rested while the mobile sound systems pumped out their sounds.

as I left them a little after 9, a split occurred as some bikes set off along the mall, but others stayed to party a bit longer.

the next ride is on June 28th, and their website is at
 http://www.criticalmasslondon.org.uk

rikki
- e-mail: rikkiindymedia(At)gmail[d0t]com

Comments

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and....

03.06.2013 00:26

where the fuck were critical mass to oppose the BNP / EDL?? Seems cycling is more important!!!

Corking

03.06.2013 11:26

I was surprised to see positive comments about the corking, this for me was one of the problems with CM that is getting worse. There seems to be a regular clique that protects itself with effective corking but people outside of the 'inner gang' are often left to themselves and don't get the protection of the wider mass.

This IMHV is why people do not return to the mass after a couple of times riding with us, we need to do much more to welcome people and protect them when they do ride.

Endo


corking comment

03.06.2013 23:45

interesting comment from endo and def a different perspective.

i'm not having a go, as i'm sure your experience is valid, and i only wrote from my own experience, however, i'm a bit confused by the idea that there is an 'inner gang'.

seems to me that the only time corking fails is when the mass gets very spread out. i don't think that is the fault of any clique or gang, but just the different speeds and abilities of the wide range of riders.

any sensible expansion of your theories are welcome.

i'm all for making CM accessible and welcoming.

rikki