Good ride this past Friday, with close to 200 cyclists in attendance and a fun route. The weather was crummy through out the day but fortunately cleared up in the late afternoon just in time for our monthly scheduled ride, daylight saving time was also welcomed. The group rode north on Biscayne Blvd passing by Ultra Fest, Edgewater, Morningside, then headed east to North Bay Village and back south to Miami Beach.
The ride ended at BAR where we enjoyed free BBQ chicken & Red Stripe beer, yes the beer was free! Unfortunately bikes were not allowed inside this month since they were full to capacity for a WMC event. I did stress on the invite to bring a lock due to WMC, yet some cyclists appeared surprised when they realized they couldn't bring their bikes inside.
I heard some participants had issues while riding by Ultra Fest on Biscayne Blvd. Some claim it was "too dangerous" and that they were left behind by the group. While I agree that there was a lot of traffic on Biscayne, I will remind folks that the point of Critical Mass is to be seen, and what better place to be seen by motorists, tourists, pedestrians, etc. then by riding by a huge music festival. It should have been no surprise to anyone that we were going by there, we've done it for the past two years and the route was available to the public weeks in advance. I cannot count the amount of times the group stalled to wait for those left behind, even making unnecessary complete stops. During the past 27 months since I've been doing Critical Mass we have never stopped so many times to wait on others, still this group of stragglers never reached us while we were going an average of 12 miles per hour. It's unfortunate people were left behind minutes in to the ride, hopefully these folks are not discouraged by the ride and join us some other time.
*Anyone who attends or plans to attend Miami Critical Mass needs to read this a few times so that maybe some of it sinks into their head. This goes for the imaginary racers, stragglers, and mid-mass gap conversationalists.
Here's a video from the ride courtesy of Eddy
The ride ended at BAR where we enjoyed free BBQ chicken & Red Stripe beer, yes the beer was free! Unfortunately bikes were not allowed inside this month since they were full to capacity for a WMC event. I did stress on the invite to bring a lock due to WMC, yet some cyclists appeared surprised when they realized they couldn't bring their bikes inside.
I heard some participants had issues while riding by Ultra Fest on Biscayne Blvd. Some claim it was "too dangerous" and that they were left behind by the group. While I agree that there was a lot of traffic on Biscayne, I will remind folks that the point of Critical Mass is to be seen, and what better place to be seen by motorists, tourists, pedestrians, etc. then by riding by a huge music festival. It should have been no surprise to anyone that we were going by there, we've done it for the past two years and the route was available to the public weeks in advance. I cannot count the amount of times the group stalled to wait for those left behind, even making unnecessary complete stops. During the past 27 months since I've been doing Critical Mass we have never stopped so many times to wait on others, still this group of stragglers never reached us while we were going an average of 12 miles per hour. It's unfortunate people were left behind minutes in to the ride, hopefully these folks are not discouraged by the ride and join us some other time.
*Anyone who attends or plans to attend Miami Critical Mass needs to read this a few times so that maybe some of it sinks into their head. This goes for the imaginary racers, stragglers, and mid-mass gap conversationalists.
Here's a video from the ride courtesy of Eddy
Has anyone ever voiced a request to do the ride later in the evening? Like an hour or so later...
ReplyDeleteJust curious.
I have to concur that I had not experienced so many stops before to wait for the rest of the mass which kept lagging behind. It wasn't due to lack of corking either, some of us who don't cork regularly jumped in to ensure as much cohesion as possible but to no avail.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, if there are parts of the video where the speed feels slightly fast, it's because I altered it to fit as much of the ride as possible. As pointed out on the recap, it was indeed a slow/moderate ride.
Eddy.
just seems like a lack of experience.
ReplyDeletelike every month I try to talk to some of the people who are obviously unsure of themselves to understand both what brought them to CM and also what might be done to improve their personal experience. It's usually the most obvious things like "raise your seat" or "shift your gears"
the latter being the only option once the ride has started.
i think despite any confusion most people have a great time and will probably come back. perhaps not the next month, maybe not for a year, but that's how you build a community, right?
Fáelán, no one has voiced a request for later start time.. most cities across the US start Critical Mass at 5:30pm.. during rush hour.. We do it at 6:30pm so that more people can attend.. however making it start any later would discourage a lot from coming so it won't happen.
ReplyDelete6:30pm.. ride takes off at 7pm
Thanks for all the Support and Patronage to BAR by Critical Mass, we are always BIKER FRIENDLY, we usually let everyone brings their bikes inside, unless we at capacity. This past Friday we were, WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE BUT I TOLD THE ORGANIZER BEFOREHAND ABOUT THIS, although we did have free chicken and beers, sponsor by MAD DECENT AND RED STRIPE, for everyone. We hope everyone had a great time and hopefully see you for next month's ride.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
-BAR MANAGEMENT
I had to drop out by the arena, but it was due to a slight mechanical related issue beyond the control of anyone! I was able to meet the group again coming off the causeway towards the end of the ride. Anyway - still had a great time and I will be back.
ReplyDelete