I went to "alternative" Critical Mass on Friday. I plan to write something for portland IMC site later, but I want to get some thoughts down here now. It was the first time I even tried to ride a Critical Mass for almost a year, I think. I used to go every month but then after the war started the tremendous police backlash/crackdown just made it not fun anymore. People were just being herded around downtown by the cops every month.
Alternative massess have occasionally been tried, with varying success. This time it was the most fun I've had at CM for a long time. This was due to the fact that people were informed about the gathering place only by word of mouth, and we tried a new tactic which turned out to have great results.
The basic idea of the tactic is simple, and I don't feel bad about publicly writing about it, because it doesn't matter if the enemy knows it, it will still work. These are the best kinds of tactics. Anyway, what we did is this: agree upon a spot to meet at, then agree to split up if the cops get too bothersome, all go in different directions and gather again at the meeting spot. Then repeat the process, as many times as desired.
It was really great - our second application of the tactic ended up with a squad of motorcycle cops following us around Ladd Circle, round and round, with the bikes eventually lapping the motorcycles. It was hilarious. Finally we started to peel off one by one, heading out different spokes of the big wheel that is Ladd's Addition. We met up later just as planned, cops successfully hoodkwinked.
I've been involved in a lot of other bike fun lately too. I was cameraperson on a little film that re-enacted the altercation between some bikers and some meathead motorists a couple weeks ago. And yesterday I went to a zoobomb wrenching party, which was fun and perfect timing because I needed to replace my rear brake shoes.
I'm glad I've been able to take advantage of the great weather we've been having and be outside doing this great bike stuff.
Posted by steev at Mayo 2, 2004 10:49 AM