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.