Via a flyer found at Popup Bikes
Launch of Whalley Range on Wheels
Sunday 1st March 11am - 4pm
Alexandra Park, Whalley Range
Showing posts with label sound system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sound system. Show all posts
Sunday, 22 February 2015
Saturday, 27 September 2014
Superb September Critical Mass
September's Critical Mass was the first one in a long time to be able to properly meet up outside the library. The newly re-opened space provided a relaxed atmosphere for people to meet up and chat in comfort.
Around 140 people moved off past the Town Hall Extension to the sound of at least 4 sound systems.
The ride went along Fountain Street and into High Street, through Shudehill
and into the Northern Quarter. There was a really strong party mood this month, lots of people determined to have fun.
There were several people with cameras shooting video. This one was hand held
whilst this was a rather neat, bike mounted approach.
As we moved into Portland Street the ride slowed down somewhat, this was apparently caused by a police officer on a bicycle trying to do most of the corking himself. I was told he seemed to be putting himself in quite some danger by doing so.
Still, this didn't dampen mood in the rest of the ride.
The sound systems continued to blast out the music
and one notable new machine was the Errand Trike, a new cycle based business in Manchester moving loads of up to 250kg.
There was a great make-some-noise moment under the railway in Great Bridgewater Street.
Everyone seemed to be having fun.
I left the ride as it turned south down Deansgate.
Roll on Halloween Critical Mass - 31st October, same place, same time.
P.S. the music I was playing was T.Power – The Self Evident Truth Of An Intuitive Mind
Around 140 people moved off past the Town Hall Extension to the sound of at least 4 sound systems.
The ride went along Fountain Street and into High Street, through Shudehill
and into the Northern Quarter. There was a really strong party mood this month, lots of people determined to have fun.
There were several people with cameras shooting video. This one was hand held
whilst this was a rather neat, bike mounted approach.
As we moved into Portland Street the ride slowed down somewhat, this was apparently caused by a police officer on a bicycle trying to do most of the corking himself. I was told he seemed to be putting himself in quite some danger by doing so.
Still, this didn't dampen mood in the rest of the ride.
The sound systems continued to blast out the music
and one notable new machine was the Errand Trike, a new cycle based business in Manchester moving loads of up to 250kg.
There was a great make-some-noise moment under the railway in Great Bridgewater Street.
Everyone seemed to be having fun.
I left the ride as it turned south down Deansgate.
Roll on Halloween Critical Mass - 31st October, same place, same time.
P.S. the music I was playing was T.Power – The Self Evident Truth Of An Intuitive Mind
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Joyous July Critical Mass
For a change I turned up late to Critical Mass and arrived with only two wheels (and no sound system) to celebrate my return to bicycling. As I turned up the riders were just extricating themselves from outside the library.
It was a beautiful evening for a cycle ride
with around 150 fellow riders.
We met many others on bikes...
and created a real party atmosphere on Deansgate.
Thankfully, there was one sound system to provide music. The red cycle trailer that was silent on June's ride had been repaired with a new pair of off-the-shelf loudspeakers.
After a short excursion into Salford we returned to Manchester
and then towards the Northern Quarter.
The ride was really friendly
and featured lots of colour
though some sartorial combinations were questionable ;-)
This contraption was supposed to be a bubble machine, but failed on the ride.
We were also joined by an inline skater,
skateboards and three new scooters.
After a wonderful decent of London Road
we went south down Oxford Road
and out to Platt Fields Park
to visit the new Bike Hub project.
And finally a demonstration of what the bubble machine was supposed to do :)
Gives me ideas for next month...
To keep up with Manchester Critical Mass follow the Facebook page.
It was a beautiful evening for a cycle ride
with around 150 fellow riders.
We met many others on bikes...
and created a real party atmosphere on Deansgate.
Thankfully, there was one sound system to provide music. The red cycle trailer that was silent on June's ride had been repaired with a new pair of off-the-shelf loudspeakers.
After a short excursion into Salford we returned to Manchester
and then towards the Northern Quarter.
The ride was really friendly
and featured lots of colour
though some sartorial combinations were questionable ;-)
This contraption was supposed to be a bubble machine, but failed on the ride.
skateboards and three new scooters.
After a wonderful decent of London Road
we went south down Oxford Road
and out to Platt Fields Park
to visit the new Bike Hub project.
And finally a demonstration of what the bubble machine was supposed to do :)
Gives me ideas for next month...
To keep up with Manchester Critical Mass follow the Facebook page.
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Sensational September Critical Mass
After the slightly somber, yet uplifting mood of August's ride, this month was well back into the party spirit. Around 280 people took to the streets with at least 4 decent sound systems. There were lots of new faces and some people returning to the ride after many years away...
However, as with any Critical Mass with lots of new people it can be a bit of a bumpy start. The first was the right turn off Portland street into Sackville Street directing the mass straight for the narrow bike contraflow. Dipak got there just in time to block the way and divert the ride left along Bloom Street and into Chorlton Street. The look on his face was wonderful :)
After a big debate about direction, the ride turned right and swept along Whitworth Street.
The light was fading rapidly with the setting sun, but giving a beautiful sunset.
And the party came to life as we crossed Oxford Road
helped by the amassing views of the city at dusk.
The ride almost lost its way again at the next junction,
but finally turned into Deansgate and rode it in full party spirit. Even the people stuck in the traffic jams were waving and hooting horns in support.
The ride then started to head south down Princes street
and I left the ride as it crossed Portland Street, heading for Platts Fields Park.
The ride was hard work for those plugging side roads and shepherding the ride, and there was a bit of silly behaviour later on. Manchester Critical Mass is successful because it keeps moving, is well behaved, communicates well with drivers and is very fluffy. It also works best when everyone looks out for everyone else. Next month is the Halloween ride, traditionally the biggest of the year, bring lights, costumes, a party mood and a great attitude.
However, as with any Critical Mass with lots of new people it can be a bit of a bumpy start. The first was the right turn off Portland street into Sackville Street directing the mass straight for the narrow bike contraflow. Dipak got there just in time to block the way and divert the ride left along Bloom Street and into Chorlton Street. The look on his face was wonderful :)
After a big debate about direction, the ride turned right and swept along Whitworth Street.
The light was fading rapidly with the setting sun, but giving a beautiful sunset.
And the party came to life as we crossed Oxford Road
helped by the amassing views of the city at dusk.
The ride almost lost its way again at the next junction,
but finally turned into Deansgate and rode it in full party spirit. Even the people stuck in the traffic jams were waving and hooting horns in support.
The ride then started to head south down Princes street
and I left the ride as it crossed Portland Street, heading for Platts Fields Park.
The ride was hard work for those plugging side roads and shepherding the ride, and there was a bit of silly behaviour later on. Manchester Critical Mass is successful because it keeps moving, is well behaved, communicates well with drivers and is very fluffy. It also works best when everyone looks out for everyone else. Next month is the Halloween ride, traditionally the biggest of the year, bring lights, costumes, a party mood and a great attitude.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
July's Tweed Ride
It was a lovelly day for the Tweed Ride today, though linen was more suited to the weather.
A good selection of riders and machines set off from St John's Gardens in Castlefield and ended up in Platt Fields Park after a tea stop at Whitworth Art Gallery.
The bonus was bumping into the Reggae bike man on my way home.
You can see more about the man and his machine in this video.
A good selection of riders and machines set off from St John's Gardens in Castlefield and ended up in Platt Fields Park after a tea stop at Whitworth Art Gallery.
The bonus was bumping into the Reggae bike man on my way home.
You can see more about the man and his machine in this video.
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Manchester Day Parade
Manchester Day Parade is quite an experience when you are taking part. The only down-side is that you don't get to see what the other floats look like.
I have to say at the start of the day my thoughts were "never again" with all the hard work and long hours that went into this. I spent many hours trying to help our artist, maker and blacksmith Julian Taylor in his efforts to build our big bike and puppet rider.
However, as soon as we turned the corner into Deansgate I changed my mind. Our group of 30 people on bikes, trikes and a quad with two linked sound systems and Julian's wonderful giant bike just seemed to take over the space.
The other problem is that when you are taking part it is very hard to take many decent photographs. So this post is what I have taken - I will post more when Jasmine and Julian's photos are available...
The chaos before the start - Anna and friends didn't join until we had moved off.
After the main part, a pause whilst we waited for the parade to clear Deansgate - a military band were refusing to follow directions from Walk The Plank and spoilt the parade for the people at the back.
Finally we returned to Deansgate and let (what's left of our) hair down...
Pete Abel had contributed a lot of effort despite also sorting out a lot of the Bike Month Manchester stuff.
Julian Taylor our artist looking very pleased with the result.
And Peta, who also helped with the building of the puppet, soaking up the atmosphere.
We are already thinking about next year. It doesn't have to be under the GMCC banner net time, we could call it Manchester Critical Mass or Mad Cycle Lanes of Manchester. We will have to see what next year's theme is...
Update:
You can see all of Julian's photographs here.
I have to say at the start of the day my thoughts were "never again" with all the hard work and long hours that went into this. I spent many hours trying to help our artist, maker and blacksmith Julian Taylor in his efforts to build our big bike and puppet rider.
However, as soon as we turned the corner into Deansgate I changed my mind. Our group of 30 people on bikes, trikes and a quad with two linked sound systems and Julian's wonderful giant bike just seemed to take over the space.
The other problem is that when you are taking part it is very hard to take many decent photographs. So this post is what I have taken - I will post more when Jasmine and Julian's photos are available...
The chaos before the start - Anna and friends didn't join until we had moved off.
After the main part, a pause whilst we waited for the parade to clear Deansgate - a military band were refusing to follow directions from Walk The Plank and spoilt the parade for the people at the back.
Finally we returned to Deansgate and let (what's left of our) hair down...
Pete Abel had contributed a lot of effort despite also sorting out a lot of the Bike Month Manchester stuff.
Julian Taylor our artist looking very pleased with the result.
And Peta, who also helped with the building of the puppet, soaking up the atmosphere.
We are already thinking about next year. It doesn't have to be under the GMCC banner net time, we could call it Manchester Critical Mass or Mad Cycle Lanes of Manchester. We will have to see what next year's theme is...
Update:
You can see all of Julian's photographs here.
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