July 2010 CCM

Planning thread for July 30th 2010 Chicago Critical Mass.

In the recent "Critical Mass Strategy" discussion, Barbra mentioned hints of her desire to do a map for July's CCM, with an underwear theme. She's certainly capable, having participated in WNBR-C and CCM for several years, and the theme is certainly appropriate for hot weather.

So with just a few weeks to go, I'm proactively seeding this thread for discussion and planning.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on July 23, 2010 at 9:57am

I did but I did not get permission from the two who were arrested so I will not speak publicly about the matter. I apologize for any inconvenience that may bring. I invited them to join the Chainlink discussion but I don't believe they will. However I did convince both of them to ride on a MM ride so maybe you can talk to them about it yourself.

Jason W said:

So what exactly happened to the people last month? What were they charged with? Someone said they would update us (sorry, can't remember whom).

Permalink Reply by Paul Gurns on July 23, 2010 at 9:58am

Agreed. People who do shit like that are cowards. I guess it's easier to act like an asshole when you don't have to personally deal with the consequences of the bad choices you make. If you feel the need to act out, then man up and do what you gotta do, then deal with the consequences whatever they may be. You would still be an asshole , but at least you wouldn't be a cowardly asshole. I don't know what's worse. People who act like that and think they are cool, or the people who watch them act like that and encourage it.

I dunno maybe I'm just an out of touch, grumpy old man.

Gabe said:

Yeah Matt, take down the comment. That's no laughing matter. Your friend is an ass. And if he takes issue with being called names tell him i take issue with him hitting cops.

What a dumb bastard! The Cop deserved nothing of the sort by the way. Kinda hope he gets a crack at your pal.

Permalink Reply by Gabe on July 26, 2010 at 8:15pm

Hehehehe, Have fun at the beach! :-)

Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on July 26, 2010 at 10:18pm

Spencer, you're slipping back into "central governing body" mode.
Your pre-ride was of Barbara's route, not "the" route (although at this point there's no sign of a competing route.) Whatever discussions you may have had there should not compel you to try to squelch my attempt to nail down a committed crew. You haven't been through this a zillion times and seen how 10 people offering to help on a listserv or message board can result in 10 people you can't find at crunch-time.
In the meantime I got a call from someone (Tim) who can single-handedly stop the whole mass if needed . . .
So it's me, Paul, Jami, Tim, and Barbara =committed= to create and manage the front. Should be enough, more welcome. If there's a vote we'll all need to meet at break-away corner as soon as the voting has concluded (= pretty much immediate break for that corner)-- if not we'll meet at Randolph/ Clark corner at 6?
Barbara/Rufus can I get your cell # somehow? Me again: 773/710-4143

Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:

There were verbal agreements made to ride in the front during the pre-ride. There is a enough ride leadership.

Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on July 27, 2010 at 9:27am

Howard, I didn't try to diminish your attempts to secure ride leadership. All I was saying is something that I doubt we disagree on, we have a lot of leadership at the front, and it will probably not be an issue.

Barbara, (Her friend?), Jami, Howard, Tim, Paul*, Kevin and Travis.

Total Count: 8, that's a lot right? Way more than I remember ever volunteering to be in the front even when I was lurking for many years.

*This is his first time in a Mass and he is meeting friends so it may not be too fair to expect him to be a leader, but if he is there what a way to do your first ride!

PS. And it may come as a surprise that I have experienced everyone ditching me at the front. ;)

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bedno on July 27, 2010 at 10:40am

My "-ish" long ago meant if not front, then within a dozen rows (flanking the head), especially at Montrose (to cork LSD), not that my very presence was a maybe. My usual pals expect to come as well, with wits about them. And we're all down with Barbra. I'm even memorizing the fiddly bits in advance.
Paul's got a great GPS. I may mount my flag. And we've all ditched.
Maybe "facilitators" is a more comfortable word than "leaders"

Permalink Reply by Barbra Mann on July 27, 2010 at 4:28pm

I realize too, just for everyone's understanding, that ultimately I am responsible for leading so even if (heaven forbid!) all 'ditch', or whatever, I plan on making it happen and for the most part sticking to plan. Don't get me wrong I really need all your'all help and support and facilitation and prefer support by far! Totally appreciate all this teamwork!!

Permalink Reply by Jerry on July 27, 2010 at 4:47pm

As lawyer, I can't ditch. I'll stick by you.

Barbra Mann said:

I realize too, just for everyone's understanding, that ultimately I am responsible for leading so even if (heaven forbid!) all 'ditch', or whatever, I plan on making it happen and for the most part sticking to plan. Don't get me wrong I really need all your'all help and support and facilitation and prefer support by far! Totally appreciate all this teamwork!!

Permalink Reply by h' 1.0 on July 27, 2010 at 5:04pm

I can't get a reply with copy to load today for some reason.

I realize too, just for everyone's understanding, that ultimately I am responsible for leading so even if (heaven forbid!) all 'ditch', or whatever, I plan on making it happen and for the most part sticking to plan.

Actually, I don't see why it should be a map maker's responsibility to lead a ride. After all the work of coming up with the route, pre-riding, etc., it seems like out of 2500+ participants there should be a few others willing to take responsibility during the ride. I can think back on lots of successful rides where the leader wasn't at the front-- as long as the map is clear it shouldn't be a problem.

Of course, if people want to pin everything bad that happens on a ride on the route (see June 2010), it's much easier to do so if the map maker is at the front as well (and the folks placing blame are nowhere near the front . . .)

Permalink Reply by Paul Gurns on July 28, 2010 at 7:51am

I will for sure be there and do whatever is needed. The friends I am meeting were told where I was going to be. They know I plan on helping and that it's their responsibility to find me not the other way around. They have all been to many masses so I'm sure they know what to expect. As for me, I will be at the Picasso at.....5:30??? earlier??? I'm not timid or shy and I can follow directions. Just tell me what needs doing.

Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:

Howard, I didn't try to diminish your attempts to secure ride leadership. All I was saying is something that I doubt we disagree on, we have a lot of leadership at the front, and it will probably not be an issue.

Barbara, (Her friend?), Jami, Howard, Tim, Paul*, Kevin and Travis.

Total Count: 8, that's a lot right? Way more than I remember ever volunteering to be in the front even when I was lurking for many years.

*This is his first time in a Mass and he is meeting friends so it may not be too fair to expect him to be a leader, but if he is there what a way to do your first ride!

PS. And it may come as a surprise that I have experienced everyone ditching me at the front. ;)

Permalink Reply by Kevin C on July 28, 2010 at 8:11am

As I mentioned at the pre-ride, I have a family commitment...

Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! said:

Howard, I didn't try to diminish your attempts to secure ride leadership. All I was saying is something that I doubt we disagree on, we have a lot of leadership at the front, and it will probably not be an issue.

Barbara, (Her friend?), Jami, Howard, Tim, Paul*, Kevin and Travis.

Total Count: 8, that's a lot right? Way more than I remember ever volunteering to be in the front even when I was lurking for many years.

*This is his first time in a Mass and he is meeting friends so it may not be too fair to expect him to be a leader, but if he is there what a way to do your first ride!

PS. And it may come as a surprise that I have experienced everyone ditching me at the front. ;)

Permalink Reply by Spencer "Thunderball" Thayer! on July 28, 2010 at 11:56am

My bad! I must have misunderstood what you were saying about your family. I thought you were saying the opposite. You had something but you were gonna do this instead.