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.

Protest to Survive - join Space4Cycling

Next Monday, 30th September, will see the first mass protest ride organised by Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign in all the time I have been in Manchester.

The ride is a follow-up from the massive Space4Cycling ride organised by London Cycling Campaign where, on the 2nd September, "for the first time in its thousand-year history, the Palace of Westminster was entirely surrounded by protestors on bicycles."


photo from LCC web site

Space4Cycling is fast becoming a national protest movement pushing the case for better conditions on our roads for people who walk and cycle, taking road space away from motorvehicles to prioritise benign transport.

The ride will meeting in St Peter’s Square, in the centre of Manchester, from 6pm and the ride will set off at 6.30pm. There will be plenty of space as Mosley St is closed to motor vehicles during the conference.

Map from GMCC

We need massive numbers out on this demonstration to send the message to local, regional and national government to stop wasting money on building roads and start relocating space for cycling. This is your chance to make an impact, bring bikes, trikes, quads, sound systems lights and a party mood. I will be there with the Brox sound system.

There are more details on the GMCC web site.

November Critical Mass

November's Critical Mass was a very chilly one. As the cycles were gathering, the traffic looked so bad we thought we'd be going very slowly. However, as we rolled away the congestion cleared somewhat and we had a reasonably free flowing ride.



There were at three sound systems on the ride, including this trike-mounted one which I hadn't seen before.



The ride was also very colourful, several people were wearing strings of led lights and it was especially good to see Dipak from Popup Bikes back on his bike after his long recovery.

I left the ride as it turned south towards Platts Fields.



It was getting pretty cold by this point.

July Critical Mass in Manchester

Manchester's July Critical Mass was really cool.

Several really nice bikes.



Including this one from Popup Bikes!



A real holiday spirit, both from riders and onlookers.



There was quite a bit of dancing, both on and off the bikes.





And the most wonderful skys....



.

June Critical Mass

Todays Critical Mass had 3 sound systems - this was the smallest.



There were balloons,



and flowers and big smiles.



And there were lots of bikes..





Music mostly from x1 Project (Wayne Huff) Lunar Beach from Ultima Thule programme 643, Nightmares on Wax's Smoker's Delight and Hybrid's Live Angle: Sydney and finished off with ARC's Rise.