It happened! It really did! Albeit humble but a beginning it is...
Kicking off from the IIT campus, a bunch of about 25 riders rode from
IIT Main gate - SP Road 2wards Besant Nagar - around the Besant Nagar beach road - back to Insti.
After much debating we decided to shorten the route as the riders were unfamiliar to the mass, some of the bikes were rented and experienced riders were absent. Before the ride started we spoke to one of the local English news channels and explained to them the idea behind Critical Mass. So enthused were they that they decided to follow us all the way to the beach acting as a pseudo safety car.
The ride was, to say the least very very smooth. None of the riders seemed to be amateurs as they rode in a disciplined single file. This goes a long way in showing that anyone, just anyone can comfortably ride even on the busy roads of Chennai.
Our stop at the Besant Nagar beach was very productive as complete strangers came up to us and asked us why we were doing what we were doing. This can easily be termed the high point of the critical mass as we managed to get across our messages to a lot of people.
The bike salute and 350 formation on the sand increased the fun element of the ride.
Here are a few links to the media coverage we got.
deccanchronicle
sify.com
I (Supreeth) take this opportunity to clarify a few things again.
Critical mass is not an organization's initiative. It is a people's movement. We have only taken the initiative to start the Chennai chapter.It belongs to nobody.
I hope more and more cyclists from all walks of life join into Chennai Critical Mass and make it a grand success.
For those of you who missed it, don't worry the critical mass is going to happen sooner than you think! Stay tuned!
Signing off
Supreeth for Critical Mass Chennai
Monday, October 5, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
This Saturday evening something magical is afoot. The truck drivers will slow down, cars will roll down their windows, and motor bikes will stop and stare in awe as cycle lovers of Chennai will get their beloved bicycles out to ride around the city.
Chennai…make way for Critical Mass!
Critical Mass is an initiative for the growing cycling community to showcase their presence to the city and the world. People from all skill levels , ages, sexes and sizes will ride their cycles to show their love for the 2 wheeled wonder .
Critical Mass is a bike ride, not an organization, and no two riders participate for exactly the same reason. "What is Critical Mass?" is a question that has as many answers as participants. The only real way to answer the question is to join the ride yourself. To join in you just need to have 2 things ... a bicycle and love for bicycles :)
The proposed route is
IIT Main gate - SP Road 2wards Besant Nagar - around the beasnt nagar beach road - back to Insti.
We kick off at 4pm from the IIT campus and ride till we are tired.
It promises to be a fun filled ride replete with bike salutes and peaceful demonstrations. Stay tuned for more updates!
Chennai…make way for Critical Mass!
Critical Mass is an initiative for the growing cycling community to showcase their presence to the city and the world. People from all skill levels , ages, sexes and sizes will ride their cycles to show their love for the 2 wheeled wonder .
Critical Mass is a bike ride, not an organization, and no two riders participate for exactly the same reason. "What is Critical Mass?" is a question that has as many answers as participants. The only real way to answer the question is to join the ride yourself. To join in you just need to have 2 things ... a bicycle and love for bicycles :)
The proposed route is
IIT Main gate - SP Road 2wards Besant Nagar - around the beasnt nagar beach road - back to Insti.
We kick off at 4pm from the IIT campus and ride till we are tired.
It promises to be a fun filled ride replete with bike salutes and peaceful demonstrations. Stay tuned for more updates!
Friday, September 25, 2009
First Critical mass chennai
Kick starting the Chennai edition of Critical mass!
What is Critical mass?
Critical Mass is an initiative for the growing cycling community to showcase their presence to the city and the world. People from all skill levels , ages, sexes and sizes are welcome. To join in you just need to have 2 things ... a bicycle and love for bicycles :)
Critical Mass is a bike ride, not an organization, and no two riders participate for exactly the same reason. "What is Critical Mass?" is a question that has as many answers as participants. The only real way to answer the question is to join the ride yourself. So what are you waiting for ???
A short History of nearly everything about Critical Mass
The Critical Mass movement started in San Francisco on the Last Friday of September in the fall of 92. Following suit, a lot of cities around the world have started their own rides. Preserving the spirit of Critical Mass, different cities follow their own timings and dates of the month to complement local habits. However some have diverged/moved ahead of the concept and started similar rides but with starkly contrasting dates of the month to preserve originality :)
How will Chennai do it? Let's wait and watch.
What is Critical mass?
Critical Mass is an initiative for the growing cycling community to showcase their presence to the city and the world. People from all skill levels , ages, sexes and sizes are welcome. To join in you just need to have 2 things ... a bicycle and love for bicycles :)
Critical Mass is a bike ride, not an organization, and no two riders participate for exactly the same reason. "What is Critical Mass?" is a question that has as many answers as participants. The only real way to answer the question is to join the ride yourself. So what are you waiting for ???
A short History of nearly everything about Critical Mass
The Critical Mass movement started in San Francisco on the Last Friday of September in the fall of 92. Following suit, a lot of cities around the world have started their own rides. Preserving the spirit of Critical Mass, different cities follow their own timings and dates of the month to complement local habits. However some have diverged/moved ahead of the concept and started similar rides but with starkly contrasting dates of the month to preserve originality :)
How will Chennai do it? Let's wait and watch.
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