Critical Mass rides are cycling events which happen around the world and often even criticized as a ride to show protest. In Bangalore, at least it is not themed around protest but to demonstrate cycling as an effective way of commuting in Bangalore.
Critical mass rides started in Bangalore probably one or two years back, but then somehow not continued until start of this year. This year’s first critical mass ride event in Bangalore took place on 26th January and I couldn’t take part in it because I was attending my weekend classes during this time. Ever since I noticed that the February edition is happening on a Saturday where I will be free of my classes, I made up my mind to attend it.
Theme of Critical Mass – February 2013
Probably there wasn’t any theme for the Jan 2013 event, but the theme of February event was ‘Dress to Impress’ means riding a bike (cycle) with proper business formals. This was to show that office commuting is very much possible on the bike with formal clothing. I had never ridden with formals and was not in a position to fit myself in the theme, but I didn’t want to skip the ride. The organizers were not strict on me so I counted myself in.
Ride partners for the day
Ever since I had an over the handlebar fall, and since I witnessed a fatal road accident, I confined my riding to indoor on the trainer. I wanted to ride Critical Mass to sort out my road fear. But I didn’t want to ride without some good company. I invited some of my friends to the event, but they couldn’t make it because of their personal commitments and I looked around for other riders from my area.
My post about ride partners for critical mass on the Facebook invite page didn’t get many people’s attention till it was 2 more days for the event. While I was about to withdraw myself from the event, two people near my area responded as agreed to give me company for the ride. They were Upesh Pradhan and Aditya Kumar. Thanks guys for giving me the company!
Ride partners for the Critical Event – February 2013
The day of Critical Mass
On the previous night I worked till 11:30 pm as usual and was half sure of the ride the next day. But just because I wanted to keep my word about riding together with two riders from my area, I had to get myself out of bed in time to join those guys for the ride.
I checked my bike the previous day, since I was riding indoors on the trainer these days, my bike needed very little preparation for the ride. I filled a 500ml bottle with chilled water and gatorade powder and carried another 1L bottle of plin chilled wated.
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| Critical Mass ride – February 23, 2013 |