[Macomb-Cycling] Critical Mass this Friday! Please Forward

[Peter Cole]

Fellow cyclists, it's that time again.  Time to ride together instead of by yourself.  Time to see your buddies who share your pain (that one dude who made a right turn in front of you; the gal who turned left w/o signaling...).  Time to bike like you give a damn.

But, first, a collective high-five is in order for Macomb's new bike lanes!  While some things have been written and said about these new lanes, I'm sorry to note that no one has mentioned the Critical Mass--or even that we cyclists had anything to do with these new lanes.  As if our local politicians suddenly had the idea to paint lines on roads without any pressure.  Well, that's bogus.  WE made the local pols aware that there is a need for bike lanes and, lo and behold, they listened...So congrats to us!  People should pull over, thank us, and shake our hands, by the gods they should.

However, I don't want us to think about riding the Mass solely because we take care of business.  No, I want you to come to the Mass because it's fun, loads and loads o' fun.  True, many people are busy, stressed out, sick even.  Indeed, one of the great ironies in America is that we're supposedly the wealthiest, most free, and doggone best nation on the planet yet so many of us take anti-depressants, sleeping pills, booze, etc. to get through the day or night.  My advice?  Get on your bike and ride...

Even better, the October Mass is twice as much fun b/c we ride in costumes.  Yeah, costumes are optional but they are strongly encouraged.  Why?  Because it's that much more fun.  Trust me.

And, so, we hope that you show up on Friday to remind everyone in our community that there are a whole lot of people who bike to get from A to B.  But we also want to show people that riding a bike is just so much more fun than driving a car.  And, boys and girls, it's getting a bit dark these days so don't forget your bike lights!


See y'all on Friday at Chandler Fountain, a wee bit before 5:30PM.  Ride on...


p.s. some of you are privy to the fact that WIU is about to unleash an experimental bike share program.  All I can say, at this moment, is that this here person hopes it's ready to roll by Friday in the p.m.  Please email me off-list if you want or need more details.

-- 
Peter Cole, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455 USA
(309) 298-3691