METROdigital Critical Mass Halloween 1998

Happy Halloween

October stands for Halloween in Chicago. Unlike any other city I have lived in Chicago goes all out for Halloween. Not just kids but their parents and pets get into the festive swing of Halloween. So it goes to reason that bikes should be no different. Last year our Halloween Critical Mass was one of the biggest we had had to date. This year was no exception. One of the people that I spoke to told me this was his first Mass and had ridden all the way from Elmhurst (about 15 miles away). In full costume! It seemed as though costmes were split on these lines; either the person was costumed or their bike was decorated. Big Kudos to all who took the time to dress either themselves or their bikes up. I opted for my bike and Ed's and David's.

Massing

This month our route took on a dual political face. On our agenda was to exorcise the Big Oil Demons and let the mayor know we were thinking about him after his bike accident. Our ride started at the usual place, The Picasso. As usual we rode around the sculpture a few times. This month we had to do a bigger loop due to the City's Haunted Plaza decoration (really this was as involved as the City's Christmas decorating). In an effort to start a tradition, like other cities that ride the same few blocks every month, we then got out in the street and rode around the block that encompasses The Daley Plaza and The Picasso. I was hoping that we would go around a few times but once was enough for the first time. I like tradition I feel that it adds more texture to life. From there we wandered out to Michigan Ave and rode north on a portion that we had not been on for a while. Our first destination was the Amoco building at Randolph and Stetson.

For some reason we went around the building instead of to where we wanted to end up for our exorcisim. I feel this was due to the fact that we have no leaders so everybody assumes that somebody else will stop us. The Reverend Poot and I rounded up the disciples and rounded an extra corner to get back to the southside of the building. At the foot of the steps we remassed to hear the reverends message. As a prelude to the exorcism Travis D. played the wind sculpture (you will be able to sea and hear this on the streaming video(soon, soon)). In just a few minutes the entire Mass was chanting "Out Demon Out". After about three minutes of this the building levitated and we headed on to the Mayor's house.

Our "Get Well" campaign has more than likely run it's course. We have also sent him a jumbo card with about 50 signatures. At least I know I no longer see the Mayor limping on TV. I think it is a great thing that we are trying to endear ourselves to the Mayor. It seems as though he may be a beacon for bicyclists rights in the state of Illinois. We will see what his next move is. Will he continue to build bike routes or will he cave to the ILSUPCO ruling and start to limit the city's exposure.

Riders Gallery

Distraught Driver

Officer Friendly
This month my friend David shot these pictures. Earlier in the day we had been talking and I told him about the great "Officer Friendly" shot that our friend Ed shot last month. Now that I am trying to shoot video on all the rides I am asking -strong arming- my friends into shooting stills for me. David also shot a good Officer Friendly picture this month. As I have said in the past this amy just be a way for me to have some control over the constabularies. The great part is that she actually has a smile on her face.

Random Shots

Decorate Your Bike

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