BIKE: Jingle Bell Ride

[Robert Farr]

I've only done the one -- the Jingle Bell Ride last year -- and it was huge.
A year or two earlier the weather was gawdawful. I ducked and heard that
only fifty or so die-hards showed up.

It's not a ride that puts your heartbeat in the "training" zone by any
measure. The route is approximately 12 miles and takes about 2 hours -
that's probably the fastest time.

Maybe it should be renamed the Christmas Bikemas (or Bike Mass) because the
critiical mass analogy you floated isn't too far from the mark. If a real
critical mass ride had a thousand people on bikes show up, the traffic
blockage would occur without anyone "trying" to block-out cars in a
confrontational way. Hence, better attitudes among all involved or affected
would be the result.

Likewise, the effect of this huge herd of slow moving bikes, families & kids
all with friendly police escorts, certainly does make the folks in cars feel
pretty powerless and stupid (but not particularly pissed-off)  if they
happen to be driving about looking for Xmas lights. I know I felt empowered
on the bike last year.

I would hope the folks residing in the lit-up neighborhoods appreciate the
bikemass more than they would a thousand passengers in cars cruising their
streets.  I think they do.

A word of warning, there were a few irate motorists trapped in the throng of
standing cyclists packed-in at the Toomey road starting point last year.
Otherwise it was all smiles. For that reason, I would not recommend parking
near the starting point at Bicycle Sport Shop, particularly if you are
running late. (you don't want to drive through that mass of humanity when
you're late already)

Keep in mind that this large group of cyclists will be populated by many
inexperienced and wobbly riders. Be careful, watch for other's mistakes,
slow down and enjoy yourself because getting hurt has a way of spoiling an
otherwise fun time.

It's something of a parade as much as it is a bike ride. Give something back
to the community -- keep it weird -- others do. Don't forget to wear your
magical costume of lights and/or noisemakers.
--
Robbo


> From: Charlie Lenk <mistercat>
> Reply-To: Charlie Lenk <mistercat>
> Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 10:58:11 -0500 (EST)
> To: forum
> Subject: BIKE: Jingle Bell Ride
> 
> Is anyone planning on going on this thing tomorrow night?  Starts 6:30 at the
> Bicycle Sports Shop on Toomey.  Or has anyone ever been on one and can give me
> an idea what to expect (duration, size and composition of crowd, etc.)?
> 
> Looks like the ride is going to have a police escort.  Maybe it'll be just
> like Critical Mass. :)
> 
> -ch.
> 
> 
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