Deansgate mass bike ride...

Yesterday I saw this group of youngsters riding down Deansgate.



They were pulling wheelies from time to time.



The group was mostly male,



So I'm assuming it had nothing to do with the recent climate protests or Clean Air Week...

April Critical Mass 2016

It was a small turnout for the first Critical Mass after the clock change. The turnout has been low for much of this year, possibly because the ride has received very little publicity in recent months and the weather wasn't great. This time last year there was a far larger ride despite it raining.



Though this lifted my spirits somewhat.


The ride moved off as usual...



but I soon got shouted at for riding too fast. However, small CM rides need to move at a reasonable pace to stay safe. Two of the GMCC crowd then went to the front and slowed the ride down - too much.





This guy was definitely the highlight of the ride.



Slowing the ride down caused trouble. The ride was overtaken by a couple of cars, and then this bus driver tried to force his way into the group of riders.



Things then got silly. In the Northern Quarter the ride turned into High Street,



and onto the cobbles - a rather unpleasant experience for those of us on small wheels.



Then the wrong way down two one way streets.



Eventually leading out onto Deansgate.



Here, we were joined by Deliveroo motorcycles, this one being driven along the pavement.



By this time I decided to leave the ride at the southern end of Deansgate.



Let's hope we get a much bigger turnout and some better navigation next month.

Manchester World Naked Bike Ride 2016

Manchester's 10th World Naked Bike Ride, meet at 6pm Friday 10th June at All Saints Park, Oxford Road. Ride sets off at 7pm.

February Manchester Critical Mass

It was a dry but chilly evening. The ride got off to a prompt start as I don't think anyone fancied hanging around in the cold wind.



There was a good crowd, but not a large ride, so with three sound systems which couldn't get very far apart we made quite a racket.



We followed the usual route out through Albert Square



and soon crossed Market Street heading for the Northern Quarter.



Several passers by were seen taking video or photos.



With Portland Street blocked we dropped down London Road



and along Grosvenor Street where the drivers stuck in traffic can watch TV...



We then re-entred the city centre along Oxford Road



taking all lanes



then into Castlfield



ending at the Castlefield Arena to join the Fire Jam.



Featuring fire and



spectacular LED displays.

December Christical Mass

This year Critical Mass fell on Christmas Day, but that didn't stop the ride. A few of us asked if others were interested and Hannah posted the ride on Facebook which meant the ride was on.



We gathered outside the library as usual,



with a good display of seasonal lights on some bikes.



Whilst the ride was small in number



the general lack of motor traffic meant this wasn't a problem.



However, despite it being Christmas Day the new contraflow cycle lanes in Chinatown were still blocked by taxis.



It was nice to ride along Deansgate with so few cars.



However, eventually the rain set in quite hard and the remaining riders went looking for somewhere open. I'd thought the Wharf would be open, but it had closed by 5pm.



It was great to get out on a bike on Christmas Day. Always a special day for cycling, and doubly so when it is Critical Mass.

Sweet September Critical Mass

With the nights drawing in rapidly, this month's ride rolled out at sunset.



We turned south down Bridge Street heading into Salford.



For some reason there were a number of impatient motorbike riders this month, pushing round the ride



Then along Chapel Street



and back up Victoria Bridge Street returning to Manchester.



By this time some of the riders were warming to the music. I was riding the only sound system this time. Two other regular riders had left theirs at home. There was a really good mix of people this month and a very gentle atmosphere.



After sitting in the traffic jams on Deansgate it was back for a second pass through Albert Square



and into the roadworks on Portland Street where the potholes are dreadful.



After a quick run through the Northern Quarter and an about turn in Back Turner Street, it was across the tram tracks and down Shude Hill



and carefully along Corporation Street.



Then back past the Cathedral



before a second run down Deansgate



and on to Castlefield Arena to meet up with the Fire Jam.



Video by Hill Billy